von

by dr ngo When I was young I became aware of the theological debate over the "unforgivable sin." Did it exist – was anything irredeemable, beyond even Christ's mercy – and if so, what was it? The discussion on that was above my paygrade at the time, but it seemed to involve sinning (blaspheming?) against … Read more

by von (retired) A vote has been taken, and the following is at least seven (7) times awesome. Seriously, this is one of the better covers that I've seen — and I'm a pretty harsh judge, since I was maybe a drink away from getting a four F's tatoo (Jawbreaker fans will understand). In other … Read more

by von (retired) First, read Dr. Science's post about SOPA/PIPA, and act!  I ain't saying that piracy's good, but these bills take a sledgehammer to a porcelain doll.  And the doll's worth saving. Called your Rep and Senator?  Good.  This second one is even more important. They've made a Star Blazers live action film.  Behold the … Read more

by von (retired) Loved this show, and the Empty Bottle, back when I was half as cynical as I am today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0ZgS0LyW_6M I think an open thread would be cool.  Because I'm curious how everyone is.  And the current stalwarts, apparently, forgot to change the passwords.  (Incidentally, I'm reading the current posters every day — good … Read more

by von (retired*) Jamelle Bouie signs off from a guest stint at Mr. Coates' blog by quoting The Sound of Music.  He explains: I actually hate The Sound of Music, but I had the tune in my head, and thought it would be a nice way to sign off. That's interesting, because a lot of … Read more

by von   I'm retiring.  I may still comment, here, or at Mr. Coates' or Ms. McArdle's or someone else's place.*  I still harbor a faint hope that I might return to our own front page permanently.  I fear, though, that I would have to blog under under my real name …. which would kill some of the … Read more

by von Scott Johnson is wrong. "Scott Rasmussen" did not publish "a poll [on Friday] morning that found 58 percent of voters favor the abolition of birthright citizenship."  Birthright citizenship simply means that one acquired citizenship by being born within US jurisdiction (or in most cases, to US parents).  Most US citizens are birthright citizens: I'm a birthright … Read more

by von Listening to Bill O'Reilly talk about gay folks is, well, an experience that can be missed.  The guy is an embarrassment.  Not to you, me, the country, or Fox News.  To himself.  He doesn't really get the fact that gay people are, well, people.  And not some stange creatures to be talked about as though they … Read more

by von And now, from the UN Security Council: WASHINGTON — The White House said Thursday it was confident the UN Security Council would back toughened sanctions on Iran in the next week, despite the furor over Israel's Gaza flotilla raid. Some Middle East observers have warned that the outrage over the raid by America's … Read more

by von Look, I understand that you're feeling a little backed into a corner.  It's hard not be feel that way.  Your generals are describing your foreign policy as "incompetent and crazy."  Your Generals!  Imagine what your Lt. Cols. are saying!  It probably starts with "dum" and ends with "ucks".  And it only gets worse when you … Read more

by von There is a lot that we don't know about the raid of an activist ship by IDF Naval forces.  But there are a few things that I'm starting to get my own head around. First, it was yet another deeply stupid move by Netanyahu's government.  Dropping commandos one-by-one from a helicopter onto the … Read more

by von Bear with me.  I won't tell you why, except that I have a point coming.  Someday. I was pretty pissed off at this raid of (according to the evidence) a small time dealer of marijuana.  Maybe that's too mild a description of my tone.  Here's an alternative:  I ate the apple of the … Read more

by von I urge you to watch the following video, with the following warnings:  It's disturbing.  And it's not safe for work. (From Radley Balko, via Andrew Sullivan.)  Put aside the wisdom or morality of the drug war.  Balko and Sullivan both pivot that way.  I want to talk about something different.  Something a bit larger.  Folks talk … Read more

by von Regrettably — particularly given Eric's announcement below — I am taking a leave of absence from the blog, effective immediately.  I hope that I won't be gone long.  Be cool.   UPDATE:  In the waning hour, I claim victory.  Jeffrey Goldberg, remarking on General Petraeus' friendly fêting in conservo-Washington, reports: I asked John Podhoretz, the editor … Read more

by von The last sardine cannery is closing down: PROSPECT HARBOR, Me. — The women in their smudged aprons here at the sardine cannery work together in mesmerizing synchronization. Their hands flying, they fill the empty tins that clatter along the conveyor belt, packing in pieces of cut herring like, well, so many sardines. On … Read more

by von Ta-Nehisi Coates: Lane is trying to cover himself by noting that he's comparing attitude, not morals. This only works in the most absurdly narrow sense–both abolitionists and fire-eaters believed that aspects of the federal law should be resisted. But this is like saying that both Roosevelt and Hitler had resigned themselves to mass killings. I … Read more

by von Here begins the ramble. I don't have an opinion about this quite yet.  No, that's a lie.  I do have an opinion.  I think that it's a good thing.  Because a change, even if messy, sets the precedent that Iraq needs.  And because there are elements in the current Iraqi government that we and the … Read more

by von The best way to get to/from the airport and downtown Minneapolis is the light rail. The YMCA in downtown Grand Rapids (MI) is better than the nearly all the health clubs in Manhattan. A good place to stay if you're in Manhattan is the W-The Court at 39th and Lexington.  In San Francisco, I'm partial … Read more

by von Rod Dreher wants to allow married Catholic Priests (h/t Andrew Sullivan):  …. I don't think there's any serious ground for believing that the Catholic sex abuse crisis was caused by celibacy (after all, married men can be child sex abusers too). But the older discipline of allowing married priests is a healthy one, it seems … Read more

by von Charles Mudede of The Stranger writes (some hyperlinks added): Dan [Savage] points out that Palin is calling for "a conservative third party." The healthcare reform bill, the stabilizing of the economy, and the brilliant maneuvering of the president (the GOP fell into a trap he beautifully set—he tried to reach out, and made … Read more

by von I still haven't much heart to fight over last night's health care bill.  But what am I supposed to do with hagiography like this? Now that it’s done, Barack Obama will go down in history as one of America’s finest presidents. It’s always possible of course that, like LBJ, he’ll get involved in some … Read more

by von I am not going to blog about the Health Care bill.  I told you my mind as we've traveled.  Other than remarking that I don't think that the Democrats' bill is particularly good, there is little point in rehashing old arguments.  And I have neither the heart nor the inclination to handicap.  At least not tonight. I … Read more

by von A followup on my last post regarding the most powerful lobby in Washington – the Department of Defense. Abe Foxman just put out a press release critizing Gen. Patraeus' recent testimony before Congress.  Neither Foxman's strategy nor the release itself makes a bit of sense. Patraeus noted that the US is perceived in the Muslim world as favoring Israel … Read more

by von In fact, there are two colors in that flag.  And peace is between them.  Happy St. Patrick's Day.  (Apparently, things can get better … and sometimes do.  While I hoist a green beer in my orange tie, here's an open thread to talk about what's better by you.) 

This. (by von) In answer to your question, Professor Reynolds:  Yes.  If the US Government defaults on its obligations, the US will be forced to run a balanced budget. This because no one will lend a single dime to the US.  Kinda like Zimbabwe.  Which is not a good thing. (Ask Zimbabwe.) By the way: I don't know what … Read more

by von Ezra Klein's interview of Rep. Paul Ryan is worth reading in full.  Ryan is one of a few Republicans (outside of Wyden-Bennett axis) to have proposed a comprehensive health care reform package.  Klein and Ryan have certain differences to health care reform.  You'd expect that:  Klein is a Democrat and Ryan is a Republican.  … Read more

by von Today's outrage is the fact that Rahm Emanuel called some of President Obama's supporters "f-cking retarded."  Sarah Palin wants him to step down.  That's not unexpected, coming from her.  Sarah Palin is an expert on quitting, particularly when the going gets tough.  Why not recommend it to Emanuel?  But let's take a step back from Palin's latest … Read more

by von If you don't like American Football, skip this post.  I'll return to insulting your refined political senses — and disagreeing with Eric's well-intentioned foreign policy gaffes — in a future post. Brett Favre.  Brett effing Favre.  I used to hate that guy.  I still kinda hate that guy. Some of it came from being … Read more

by von   Let's take a break from politics. I work in an old building.  It's something of a landmark in the city where I reside:  one of the first skyscrapers to go up.  (I use the term "skyscraper" according to its turn-of-the-century definition, not its modern one.)  For a long time it was a bank … Read more