diet coke for breakfast


Friday, February 27, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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.




Posted by RFTR
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.



Thursday, February 26, 2004

Posted by RFTR
The Volokh Conspiracy

Some great comments on blogging.



Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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)



Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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.



Sunday, February 22, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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...



Friday, February 20, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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)



Wednesday, February 18, 2004

Posted by RFTR
'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.




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




Posted by RFTR
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.



Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Posted by RFTR


Posted by RFTR
POE News: Rumsfield Fighting Technique

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




Posted by RFTR
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.



Monday, February 16, 2004

Posted by RFTR

Friday, February 13, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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)



Thursday, February 12, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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.



Saturday, February 07, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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.



Tuesday, February 03, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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??




Posted by RFTR
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...?




Posted by RFTR
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...



Monday, February 02, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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?



Sunday, February 01, 2004

Posted by RFTR
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.



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