And More: Also, a nice little article about the Star Trek cartoon series, which I remember watching awhile ago ... not quite as far back as it was first on. Also, a piece on how the NYC mayor is wisely using black leaders to deal with the recent tragic death of a black man on his wedding day underlines smart leadership. And, yeah, Jets did good, Giants continued to do bad. So it goes.
Rummy: A few things stood out for me in the NYT today. You can do a search on the website to get direct links. Of course, the Rummy Memo is amusingly ironic, though I retain my "this is just f-ed, same old, same old" stuff philosophy about the whole matter. It is a bit nihilistic, but seems somewhat appropriate, even if there are continuously various nuances that I probably should be more concerned with. The color of the fiddle as Iraq burns, so to speak. The Pottery Barn Rule sounds too cutesy when dealing with the deaths of hundreds of thousands (650K too much! it's only about 150K! so there!).
Drugs: It is thus relaxing to just take the contrarian philosophy that it is somewhat depressing that now Germany has joined the ban smoking in public places (but not bars, pubs, and beer tents -- how libertarian!) brigade. When France has joined in this blatant disregard for individual choice, we are in trouble. I know the whole problem with harming third parties, but we have a right to smoke, and this includes selling food to people who wish to do so with family and friends. And, there are numerous unhealthy careers out there, which we allow, even though there often are ways to lessen the harms (e.g., ergonomic rules) that our government refuses to put in place. Limits are acceptable up to a point. But, this across the board rule is just going overboard.
I also, first seen as an AOL News feature, a story entitled "Ban on Saucy Beer Labels Brings a Free-Speech Suit." This involves a few beer labels rejected in Maine pursuant to a rule banning "undignified or improper illustrations," namely "Santa's Butt Winter Porter" and two involving some sort of bare breasts ... one in fact a low cut outfit of Lady Liberty in a famous French painting. Horrors! I am somewhat sympathetic to the first one, since it raises concerns about minors. The other two are blatant violation of commercial free speech rights. The Supreme Court, in cases respecting alcoholic advertising, underlined that the 21st Amendment (states can regulate alcohol, even in some ways that otherwise would violate the Commerce Clause) is not a backhanded authorization to limit the First.
Politics: I love the article entitled "Democratic Leader Reminds Party That Victory Is No Mandate" in which we read that Howard Dean noting that the "other party made mistakes in claiming that elections are mandates." Sure enough that "governing is more difficult than campaigning," and a realistic (if admittedly less celebratory) approach is necessary to keep an even keel. Giving Dean's bona fides, this need not be defeatist in the least -- defend your party's values, but do so in a realistic way (optimistic realism).
[As to being realistic, good article on how racism is a core reason why the Republicans retain control in the South can be found in the New Republic (my favorite transplanted to Kentucky Slate frayster would probably approve). Hard to disprove it, but it is rather depressing, and even I am loathe to reference the point. But, just because it is distasteful, doesn't mean it's wrong. ]
Meanwhile, it sorta annoyed to read rejected intel chair Jane Harman deemed "moderate" (implies the choice was not; also she was a Bush apologist, so "moderate" is sorta a spin job) in the Week in Review piece (back page). Also, Nicholas D. Kristof had another one of his "ain't I so moderate" columns, that makes him such a chore (even his "ain't I so concerned about human rights problems" columns often come off as tiresome). "Now that the Christian Right has largely retreated from the culture wars, let's hope the Atheist Left doesn't revive them." Right. I find abrasive sorts like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris counterproductive myself, but they are not exactly the face of "the Atheist Left." Thanks for giving more fodder to the other side, Nicholas.
Sports: Interesting choice for below the fold cover story (main section) -- a discussion of the use of eye black in sports. Timely though -- yesterday was the day of various key college football match-ups, the key upset leading to USC being knocked out of its leadership position. Meanwhile, Rutgers sadly lost in triple overtime -- failing to manage the mandatory two point conversion. They had a shot -- longshot -- at the end of regulation, but failed to make a fifty-two yarder (really rather long for college, given many pro kickers fail from that length). Meanwhile, Wake Forest won with the baseball (sigh -- Mets are losing relievers like flies) score of 9-6.
Entertainment: Nice feature on someone who shoves a lot of sex appeal, talent, and cheerfulness in her 4'11" frame -- Kristin Chenoweth, seen in many Broadway plays (including "Wicked") as well as West Wing, and various movies, more than once providing more fun than the movies overall. As the title says: "She Sings! She Acts! She Prays!" I wonder if her "Christian Power Pop" (not a genre I am particularly familiar with ... sounds like something out of a Mandy Moore movie) album ("As I Am") would make a good Xmas gift. Oh, she currently supports a certain Illinois senator for President.
So, the paper had some good stuff and the cranberry muffin was good too ... they cheated me a bit on the coffee though.