Sound familiar?
A new political term seems to be on the rise, and it seems to me that it could be used to describe certain members of this blog.

Sound familiar, Jake?
We had a conversation along the same lines as this column by William Saletan : "Like all flirts, the scientists fear that we'll take their winks and provocations the wrong way. They fear that we'll turn on them and ban their work, driven by misguided dread that they're creating some new subhuman or superhuman species. They don't fear such a species. They fear the species they already know: us."

As long as scientists fail so miserably to communicate their message, they will be misinterpreted.

(By the way, Jake, you mentioned that Gallup poll of climatologists -- you wouldn't happen to know where to find a copy of that, would you?)

What a way to win
CNN.com - Queen of clubs settles election tie: "After finishing Tuesday's election tied with 1,847 votes each, Robert Swetich and Raymond Urrizaga agreed to draw cards to resolve the deadlocked White Pine County commission race.
Urrizaga drew first, choosing a queen of clubs. His opponent pulled the seven of diamonds, then congratulated the winner.
Nevada law provides for drawing lots to break a tie, giving the candidates the option of tossing a coin, drawing straws or picking a card."

Now that's gotta be the most exciting way to win an election... and the most depressing way to lose one.

I know I swore I'd never touch the template again, but I figured out why the blogspot ads at the top of this blog and Running for the Right were doubling themselves, so I went ahead and fixed the problem. Hope y'all approve.

I also think it might be time that we add a link to RFTR to the header, but I won't do that myself. If you agree, and consider yourself to have that authority, please go ahead and do so.

The Volokh Conspiracy

Neat post by Eugene Volokh explaining how the Conspiracy came together. Quick read, but I recommend it. I don't know how long you guys have been reading VC, but I find it very informative and interesting. Through it, I made some of my blogging friends, who are students of Eugene's at UCLA.

CNN.com - Man survives six nails driven into head

I think a race of supermen has finally arrived to conquer us all. There is no other explanation for this guy still being alive...

CNN.com - Music industry sues 477 more computer users - Apr 28, 2004: "The trade group said the newest lawsuits targeted students at Mansfield; Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; Emory University in Atlanta; Georgia Institute of Technology; Gonzaga University of Spokane, Washington; Michigan State University; Princeton University in New Jersey; Sacred Heart University of Fairfield, Connecticut; Texas A&M University; Trinity College of Hartford, Connecticut; Trinity University of San Antonio; the University of Kansas; University of Minnesota and Virginia Polytechnic Institute."

Starting to hit a little closer to home, but I'm still safe so far...

CNN.com - Brokaw to sign off on December 1 - Apr 19, 2004: "NBC has confirmed that December 1 will be Tom Brokaw's last day on the job as anchor of the 'NBC Nightly News.'"

I guess he's not in the running for Veep, then.

CNN.com - Stamos, Romijn-Stamos have separated - Apr 12, 2004: "Married life is over for 'Full House' actor John Stamos and 'X-Men' actress Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, the former Victoria's Secret model."

You have to feel bad for John. After all, having his name attached to Rebecca Romijn is the best credit he's ever gotten.

CourierPress: Me
Our med-student-in-residence may be intrigued to learn that Guiness may be very good for you.

Taegan Goddard's Political Wire: "'Brewery giant Pete Coors will enter Colorado's U.S. Senate race today,' the Rocky Mountain News reports. 'The candidacy potentially gives Republicans a well-known and well-financed candidate to challenge Ken Salazar, the Democratic attorney general.'"

Down with Salazar!
(Up with beer?)

Op-Ed Columnist: Fly the Partisan Skies

New York Post Online Edition: seven
I believe that at least one of the members of this blog was a big fan of Opie and Anthony. Well, they're returning to the airwaves, apparently.

yaledailynews.com - Kerry adapts policies, Bush resists changes
I have some thoughts which I've posted in response to Gina's fellow first-year at Yale Law on Running for the Right. Just thought you might be interested.

CNN.com - NASA successfully tests hypersonic jet - Mar 27, 2004: "'It was fun all the way to Mach 7,' said Joel Sitz, project manager at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center."

I wonder what the G-forces on any human passengers would have been. Let me tell you, that sounds like fun...

I got fed up and Fisked Dowd over on Running for the Right. Check it out, and feel free to use my new comments system to leave feedback.

InstaPundit.Com: "Anybody notice how many people are, almost simultaneously, berating George Bush for not taking out bin Laden, and berating Sharon for taking out Ahmed Yassin?"

I must admit, it's a little absurd.

2004 NCAA Basketball Men's Printable Brackets
You all owe me money. I made the mistake of picking Stanford for the Final Four, and I blame you.

I'm writing a piece for the Yale Politic, a political magazine, discussing the necessity of military service before holding the office of the President. I was asked because of my membership in Yale Students for Bush, and it was specifically presented to me by saying "people for Kerry are writing a piece that says it's absolutely necessary, and we want you to write opposite, saying it's not." Well, this is an obvious trap to trick me into effectively saying that Bush didn't serve. It's the kind of thing I would have done to the opposition, so I didn't fall for it. Instead, I've accepted the offer, and I'm writing from the perspective that it's not the type of service you have, but your ability to inspire confidence as the CinC, your ability to lead, your understanding of the mission ahead of us, and your ability to help the Armed Forces acheive their goals. I want to use Kerry's voting record to illustrate how, if he'd had his way, the military would be gutted by now, but since I'm travelling, it's tough for me to look up specific votes. Any suggestions on his record, or any other part of this essay would be greatly appreciated. Please email me if you've got anything good. Thanks.

James- Not everyone who works in the mail room can successfully lead a Fortune 500 company. Not everyone who served as a lieutenant can lead the US Armed Forces.

RE: James's Peggy Noonan Post
You expressed doubt that there are many college campuses where the majority of the campus think Bush "rocks." Well, I've been in either the South or the Midwest for over a week, and I can tell you that you'd be surprised. I've been to Indiana, Bama, and LSU. Almost every student I've spoken with has been a Bush supporter. Many seem to be Republicans by birth, many support him because he's a good, Christian man. It really has been amazing, and has given me a bit of new-found confidence in the campaign. The best was a girl in a bar wearing a "Bush-Cheney '04" baby-tee. Can you imagine someone wearing something like that at Yale or Stanford?

I've posted a bunch of commentary on the new developments in the Democratic race over at Running for the Right. Since I'm going out of town on Thursday and will only have sporadic internet access for the next two and a half weeks, you should get your fix today.

Also, now that the Democratic nomination is pretty much sewn up, I have a favor to ask: I'm thinking that I want to write my senior thesis on this presidential election, probably next Spring. My focus, as I see it right now, will probably be an analysis of the overall strategy of both parties. Toward that end, it would be nice if, next December when I sit down to actually start thinking about it, I have a massive stack of articles relating to that topic. When I have computer access, I'm sure I'll do a decent enough job of saving copies of related articles myself. Unfortunately, the opening salvos between Kerry and Bush will be occurring over the next two weeks, and I won't have the ability to save copies. Basically, I'm asking, over the next two weeks, if you see any articles or columns commenting on Kerry posturing towards Bush or vice-versa, please, either save or print a copy for me? Thanks.

CNN.com - McSupersizes to be phased out: "By the end of 2004, Supersize will no longer be available at the nation's 13,000-plus McDonald's outlets except in certain promotions, McDonald's spokesman Walt Riker said."

It's the end of an era. I remember when the supersize first came out. It was years ago, and I'm still not big enough to drink that much or eat that many fries.

The Volokh Conspiracy: "The new worm going around poses as authentic e-mail much more persuasively than most of its predecessors."

New worm going around looks like it could be pretty deceptive. Volokh has a lot more details.

CNN.com - NASA: Liquid water once on Mars - Mar. 2, 2004: "NASA scientists say the Mars rovers have found what they were looking for -- hard evidence that the red planet was once 'soaking wet.' "

An additional hint came from the bottle of 'Trump Ice' found nearby.

CNN.com - Ohio woman gives birth to six babies in one minute - Feb. 27, 2004: "'The speed at which the babies came out was overwhelming. It was like a popcorn popper,' the baby's grinning father, Keith Hanselman, told reporters. "

Whoa.

I saw The Passion of The Christ on Wednesday night, and I've finally gotten around to posting some of my thoughts on Running for the Right. Check it out if you're interested.

The Volokh Conspiracy

Some great comments on blogging.

The Left's Anti-Semitic Chic (washingtonpost.com): "It used to be said that anti-Catholicism was the anti-Semitism of the intellectuals. Today anti-Semitism is the anti-Semitism of the intellectuals. "

Wow, George. Powerful way to start a column. He makes some great points, read the whole thing. (from Running for the Right)

I got this link from the The Volokh Conspiracy, who describes it, saying: "Now, for the first time, I have come across a survey of the econometric literature on abortion policy. It is written by Jon Klick, a very smart guy at AEI, and a former student of mine. The topics include 'the effect on incentives on sexual activity, the effect of limiting unwanted births on welfare payments, crime rates, and women's educational attainment, as well as the direct effect of changes in abortion policy on abortion and fertility decisions.'"
Might be of interest to the economist(s?) in our mix.

CNN.com - Nader to run for president as independent - Feb. 22, 2004

Awesome. Just Awesome.

Jake -- I actually don't think that Nader's entry is going to matter once. Many justified voting for Nader in the last election because they didn't think that it would matter in the grand scheme of things (they thought that Gore would still be elected) and they wanted Nader to get federal matching funds. It turned out that Nader's votes were badly needed by Gore. With this year's major Democratic primary issue being electability, I doubt most of the left will make the same mistake twice.

Brian -- Sorry, my "Awesome. Just Awesome," comment wasn't very explicit. I don't particularly think that he'll make all that big a difference either. The comment was based mostly on my reading the message boards at DeanforAmerica, and seeing many people say both "Well, that's it, I'm voting for Bush," and "Well, that's it, I'm voting for Nader," which is basically the same conclusion.
Also, as I think I've mentioned before, I saw Nader speak a week and a half after he failed so miserably in 2000, and from that I never would have expected him to run again. Yet, here he is...

OpinionJournal - Taste: "SMOKE GETS IN THEIR EYES: Though California already bans smoking in restaurants, bars and office buildings, there is one haven of liberty left: most of its state prisons. But that's all about to change if a bill that just passed the state Assembly becomes law. It's a second-hand smoke issue, say state authorities, who claim that the bill would improve inmate health and save the state a small fortune in related medical costs. But when the San Diego Union-Tribune asked a group of prisoners what they thought, they said it was the worst idea since the state abolished weight-lifting equipment a few years back. As one prisoner told the paper: 'I'm very hard to get along with when I can't smoke.' "

OK. Pure and simple: California has lost it. You really want to take away a calming influence from the prisoners? How about we take away their cable TV first? (via Running for the Right)

'Breathalyzer in every car' bill passes house (via The Volokh Conspiracy)

I'd like to say I'm against this, but I'm not sure how to do so. It's kind of tough to say I'm against taking away the right to drive drunk. Maybe there's something wrong on public health grounds?

James-- I don't support a right to sell cocaine, but I'm also not going to support a bill allowing a police officer to search everyone he sees. I'm with the ACLU on this, it punishes law-abiding citizens. As for the "who will pay for it" part of the article... puhleeez. So you're going to give a tax credit to pay for it, which means that you'll have to get more tax revenue from everyone (and by everyone I mean those "evil" rich people). Let's hope this doesn't become a trend.

Brian --That's why I keep you around--those are exactly the reasons I was looking for. Thanks.

Andrew Sullivan will be on Chris Matthews tonight. Try not to miss it..

Andrew Sullivan is a smart guy
I'm currently watching his appearance on Bill Maher's HBO political show. If you'd like to see it, I have it on HBO On Demand, and I'd be happy to make a tape for anyone. He's witty, and doesn't back down. The more I read and see of this guy, the more I respect him, even when I disagree with his opinions.

Bill Maher: [introduces the gay marriage topic] and Rob, you're a gay man
Rob Schneider: I'm willing to learn
Sullivan: Really? We can have a drink afterwards, right?
Schneider: Let me just say this. I am for--
Sullivan: [he's wearing a blue shirt, Schneider wearing a red one] We can be red and blue American finally getting together.
Schneider: I am for gay marriage--
Sullivan: And I'm right behind you.

HILARIOUS.

The New Republic Online: Say Anything (via Running for the Right)

Andrew Sullivan fisks John Kerry.

POE News: Rumsfield Fighting Technique

Man, this guy uses his hands a lot...

CNN.com - Scientists discover new form of mad cow disease - Feb. 16, 2004: "If a new form of the disease were affecting humans there should be an increase in the incidence of CJD, said Brown, who was not part of the research team. "

This can't be classified as anything but bad news.

Op-Ed Columnist: The Zarqawi Rules

Who's distracted?

www.AndrewSullivan.com - Daily Dish: "Maybe this will be the first time that a true firewall is established between the web, the Brits and the rest of the media. Maybe I'm wrong and this won't break out as a major story. That in itself would be a media milestone. (On the other hand, Drudge got 15 million hits in the past 24 hours - twice his normal traffic.) Can we all pretend we didn't hear this and carry on as normal?"

Andrew Sullivan, commenting on John Ellis, commenting on the Kerry story. Good point.
I have to say, it bothers me that I firmly believe if this story was about a Republican candidate for the presidency it would have broken imediately. What I'm trying to decide for myself right now is, does that outrage, and the resulting desire for this story to hit the major media, outweigh my overall pleasure that the media is showing some restraint for once, and my hope that maybe this will establish a pattern. (copied from my post on Running for the Right)

DRUDGE REPORT 2004?: "Intrigue surrounds a woman who recently fled the country, reportedly at the prodding of Kerry, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
A serious investigation of the woman and the nature of her relationship with Sen. John Kerry has been underway at TIME magazine, ABC NEWS, the WASHINGTON POST, THE HILL and the ASSOCIATED PRESS, where the woman in question once worked."

Drudge seems to think it was an infidelity. He also quotes Clark as having said "Kerry will implode over an intern issue," as well as Dean campaign sources who say that's why Dean decided not to drop out after Wisconsin. Could be interesting, could be a non-event.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Kerry wins early edge in Washington caucuses: "Dennis Kucinich was third at 14 percent."

Any state that gives Dennis Kucinich 14% of their support should just get it over with and secede already.

local6.com - News - Kansas Woman Posed As 13-Year-Old Boy: "GALENA, Kan. -- Authorities in Galena are investigating a case in which a 33-year-old woman posing as a 13-year-old boy sought help from a church and tried to enroll in a middle school. Jim Jones, pastor of the Galena Assembly of God, said the person he now knows to be a woman showed up at his church in October, claiming to be Chris Gomez, a 13-year-old boy who had been the victim of child abuse. Jones said that after a series of inconsistencies, he confronted the person claiming to be a boy last week and that she told him she was actually a 33-year-old woman with three children."

And wasn't there a Law and Order episode about this??

www.smh.com.au - Teen hacker triggered nuclear terrorism alert: "A British teenager has narrowly escaped jail after sparking a nuclear panic by hacking into a top secret United States weapons laboratory. Joseph McElroy, 18, who on Monday was ordered to serve a 200-hour community punishment order, bypassed the facility's electronic security systems with sophisticated software he had developed and nicknamed Deathserv. McElroy wanted to use the advanced network's power to download and store films and music from the internet."

Anyone else remember the Matthew Broderick movie War Games...?

LILEKS (James) The Bleat: "if we're going to hell in a handbasket, can't we have a nicer handbasket?"

He's right. It's what I was thinking, but didn't know I was thinking. Or maybe I wasn't thinking it until I read the bleat today. Either way...

William Saffire: The Farewell Dossier: "we added what geeks call a 'Trojan Horse' to the pirated product."

I think whoever the webmaster is that uploads his column for him every week ought to start messing with them. Doesn't he realize that these so-called "geeks" run the world?

AOL Presidential Match Guide

Found this through Andrew Sullivan. No big surprises -- Bush came out way on top, then Lieberman, then Edwards, Kerry, Clark, Dean, Sharpton, Kucinich. Now, what scares me: I have a 36% match with Kucinich! What views could I possibly share with Kucinich that makes for a 36% agreement??
[copied from my post on Running for the Right (my personal political blog)]

James-- Hah! I only have a 16% match with Kucinich.
My list goes in the exact same order.

Dean Replaces Campaign Manager: "``Governor Dean asked Roy Neel to join the campaign as CEO and Joe Trippi resigned as campaign manager,'' said Tricia Enright, a campaign spokeswoman."

Interesting...

OpinionJournal - Jack Welch
There's a reason this man rose so high -- Great piece.

Mirror.co.uk - F*** THE NAZIS, SAYS CHURCHILL'S PARROT
This is the coolest bird in the history of the world.

Op-Ed Columnist: Keeping the Faith: "Conservatives sometimes say that Democrats want to go back to the 1960's of Woodstock and the peace movement. That's not quite right. The quintessential Democrat here doesn't want to return to the angry, disruptive long-hair style of the late 1960's. She wants to return to the confident, pre-counterculture short-hair mood of the early 1960's."

The problem is, if a candidate like Dean wins, that mood will be hijacked much the way it was in the mid-1960s, though to a more catastrophic result for the Democratic party.

DesMoinesRegister.com | News: "Kerry, Edwards surge
Iowa Poll finds surge by Kerry, Edwards"

This poll by the Des Moines Register finds Kerry with 26%, Edwards 23%, Dean 20%, and Gephardt at 18%. Unbelievable.

Yahoo! News - Moseley Braun to Drop Out, Endorse Dean

Politics baffles me sometimes... I saw Carol Mosely Braun on Crossfire YESTERDAY, and she specifically denied that she had even considered dropping out. Now, obviously that's a lie, but why would you go on Crossfire if you were going to drop out the next day??

Op-Ed Columnist: The Bush Democrats

An interesting David Brooks piece on the polarizing qualities of W and why they don't hurt his chances for reelection.