« Russia And Iran, Ctd | Main | The View From Your Window Contest, Ctd »
Wyclef Jean is considering a presidential run in his homeland of Haiti. Daniel Berger, editor of Rap Genius, tries to decipher his policy positions:
Issue: Crime
Rhyme: "All my gangs put the peace sign up now" ("Rebel Music")
Policy: Gang violence is a major issue in Haiti. An anti-violence initiative would go a long way. (However, on "Ready or Not" he raps "if I could rule the world / Everyone would have a gun in the ghetto of course," so he may believe that personal responsibility is somewhat more effective than gun control.)Issue: Sex Education
Rhyme: "That's Clef in the drop Lex / Keep the prophylactics for safe sex" ("Pussycat")
Policy: Nearly one in six Haitians have HIV/AIDS, so a comprehensive approach is needed. And if you are driving a Lexus convertible with the top down ("in the drop Lex"), abstinence is simply not realistic.
More here. Elsewhere in celebrity-presidential platforms, Marty Beckerman translates Palin's rap lyrics Facebook posts.
Colm Toibin's essay is quite astounding.
Ross responds to Serwer's objections, by citing Tushnet.
Ross simply ignores the lives and dignity of gay people.
Did it matter that Thurgood Marshall was black?
— George Orwell
Andrew Sullivan
Patrick Appel
Chris Bodenner
Conor Friedersdorf
Zoe Pollock