There’s not really an argument here, more of a statment—Is Iraq our own Kobayashi Maru? Iraq is fast becoming the Kobayashi Maru for the United States. If we stay, suicide terrorism will continue to rise. If we go, the civil war is practically inevitable. On the surface this Kobayashi Maru framework for Iraq seems toContinue reading “On Iraq and the No-Win Scenario”
Category Archives: Politics
On Rockstar, Grand Theft Auto, and Bully
Every day at the store I have customers asking whether or not I have Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in stock. Monday I fielded a phone call–the guy wanted to buy ten copies of the XBox version of the game for a quick turnaround on eBay, he said. Unfortunately, since every other retailer on theContinue reading “On Rockstar, Grand Theft Auto, and Bully”
On Letter Writing
I’m trying to figure out when I became such a letter writer. I’ve sent letters to my Senators. I’ve sent a letter to my Representative. I’ve also written to my state representatives–on a measure allowing higher alcohol content beers to be sold in North Carolina and about a measure to raise the sales tax onContinue reading “On Letter Writing”
More on Writing My Senators
Several weeks ago I wrote to my two senators, Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr, about the importance of the filibuster in protecting the rights of the minority as, at that time, the question of the legality of filibusters on judicial nominees was in play. The Senate, I wrote them, was in George Washington’s formulation theContinue reading “More on Writing My Senators”
On Writing My Senators
Not that it would achieve anything, but I wrote two letters today, one to each of North Carolina’s Senators, asking them to vote against ending unlimited debate and filibuster on judicial nominees, something Republican Trent Lott dubbed “the nuclear option.” Liddy Dole and Richard Burr are, I know, firm votes in favor of scrapping twoContinue reading “On Writing My Senators”
On Political Typology
The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press have posted on their website a political typology test. The survey breaks the American polis into nine groups: Enterprisers Social Conservatives Pro-Government Conservatives Upbeats Disaffecteds Conservative Democrats Disadvantaged Democrats Liberals Bystanders Where do I stand? Liberal Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you mostContinue reading “On Political Typology”
On My Republicanism
Seen on Bill Leisner‘s blog, a test to measure your Republican percentage! Let’s take a look, shall we? I am: 7% Republican. “You’re a complete liberal, utterly without a trace of Republicanism. Your strength is as the strength of ten because your heart is pure. (You hope.)” Are You A Republican? I tend to thinkContinue reading “On My Republicanism”
On a Living Will
I received this on the Larry Niven mailing list, and a quick Google search turned this up on about six hundred pages. Add mine to the mass. I, (fill in the blank) , being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means. Under no circumstances should my fateContinue reading “On a Living Will”
On Flying Flags
Driving through Raleigh today I noticed something unusual. About half the flags I saw were flying at half-mast. There was no consistency to it. A whole stretch of businesses might have their flying at the top of the pole, while other businesses might have just the national flag at half-mast with the state and localContinue reading “On Flying Flags”
On Kentucky Zombies, Take Four
I planned on making a response in the comments to Kae in Winchester, Kentucky. It seems, instead, that “promoting” what I want to say to a full-fledged post would be a better idea as others from Winchester have left comments as well, and addressing them all in one fell swoop would serve a better purpose.Continue reading “On Kentucky Zombies, Take Four”