I think both sides feel vaguely insulted

From a New York Times article about black Republican Senate candidate Michael Steele:

Joe Trippi [a Democratic political consultant] paints a sort of developing nightmare for his party. "The Republicans are like the Chinese — they think in terms of like a 50-year plan," Trippi, who was an architect of Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign, told me. "Their goal is permanent realignment. What we have in Maryland is a national strategy against a party that is not strategizing at all."

I'm not sure who'd be more outraged - Republicans being likened to the Chinese, or the Chinese being related to the party of Lincoln.

Location of Springfield

Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, has been very coy about the true location of Springfield. As a result, fans of the show have fielded guesses for years. Some claim it's near Aspen because of Springfield Mountain. Some are convinced that Springfield lies near Charlotte because the ocean features prominently in many episodes. Some have seen the mountains of burning tires and are convinced it's LA. Whatever.

I'm pretty sure that Mr. Groening is a perverse old cuss. When it's all said and done, I think the actual location of Bart and Lisa's hometome will be: Topeka, Kansas. Why do I think this? I don't really know...

The Sinister Urge

Well, the alarmists and the jackals are busy chipping away at the moral distinction between Big Tobacco and Big Food. Kraft, Pepsico, General Mills and the rest have been accused of ... making snacks taste too darn good. According to this article, the old Lays slogan 'betcha can't eat just one' has taken on a sinister new meaning.

There's a syllogism ringing in my ears. Tobacco companies were held liable for re-formulating an addictive substance to ensure consumer loyalty and stimulate demand. Consumer packaged food companies also develop products that people want to eat. Big Food should be held liable.

What? Food isn't addictive? Well I don't know of any living person who has been able to kick that habit. Other than Kate Moss that is.

The scientists at consumer product companies apparently figured out that: people enjoy different flavors, salt tastes good, and that consumers like value. Armed with this knowledge, The Industry carefully designed products that people would be unable to stop buying, the helpless wretches.

Consumers are cattle, mere cogs in this oily machine. We are helpless animals who robotically do what we're told, just like Rush Limbaugh listeners.

Hey! Don't get mad at me - I didn't say it; our high-priced 'defenders' in the legal profession did.
Incidentally, I wonder if Michael Jacobson and the rest of the food nazis even believe in the bull that they're espousing. I get the feeling that these people also publicly defended 'trickle down' economics. I don't know...maybe it's me.

Bull! Pat Robertson

Your favorite loon (and mine) struck again today, calling Islam a religion bent on world domination and saying that muslims are motivated by Satan.

I don't know whether Pat Robertson believes in what he's saying. I don't know if he truly believed God struck down Ariel Sharon for surrendering 'the promised land'. I don't know if he really wants Hugo Chavez dead - assassinated mind you. And I'm not sure if he really thinks that the Prince of Lies is the motivating factor behind the Nation of Islam.

I'm not sure of any of these things, but I'm pretty certain that it's not the point. Patty isn't saying this out of genuine feeling, but out of a desire to ignite 'the base' and catch headlines. Unfortunately, what he's done is... ignite the base and catch headlines.

The fact is that the people most likely to be offended or turned off by statements like this aren't really the Christian Right's target audience anyway. It's a simple calculus.

My only real question: how many true believers really listen to Pat Roberts' ideas rather than watch out of some Jerry Springer-esque voyeurism? (Oh mah Gawd what's he gonna say next? And whut's he doin' with that CHAIR?)

In any case, it's all bull!

Any story where you can use this as the tagline...

"Espinosa told reporters he was glad his wife had suffered burns, while Contreras [Espinosa's wife] said she was only sorry she had not "hacked off his manhood" during the fight."

Dinner at their house must be exciting.

One Genuine Man

In a world that is admittedly chock full of bullshit, there is one genuine man. And a politician at that.

An independent candidate for Texas governor was recently sighted (but not cited) in a Saint Patrick's Day parade with his trademark black hat, cigar - and a Guinness beer.

Yes, Kinky Friedman, we love you.

On Bullshit

I just finished reading one of my favorite little books. It's called On Bullshit, written by Harry Frankfurt. Frankfurt is a philosopher and it tweaks my funnybone to read a formal logical treatise with the word 'bullshit' sprinkled liberally on every page.

But it's not simply a chuckle, it's an examination of the nature of bullshit. I'm most impressed by the thoughtful argument that bullshit is actually more corrosive to civil society than outright lies because bullshit has no concern for the truth. (At least lying has a firm regard and respect for the truth, even if lying aims only to conceal it.)

I think it's easy to lose sight of the bullshit in society today - it's just as hard to see 'England' when you're standing in Trafalgar Square.

This isn't to say that I don't do my part to generate bullshit; after all, I toe the company line regardless of whether I fully believe in it. And that (needless to say) is what makes it bullshit - the deliberate disregard for truth.

So I propose to start a little karmic bullshit exchange here At the Tap... In exchange for the bullshit that I proclaim in my life, I will take a moment here to call attention to and revile various elements of bullshit in society at large.

Well, if it makes them think twice..

True story: the Wexley School for Girls spray painted the following message in its handicapped parking spaces just before their prom...

Tabula Rasa

So my back is a little sore.

I went back up to the ancestral homestead this past weekend to spend some time with the family. I got the chance to split wood while I was up, which is something I really enjoy. (I'm honest enough to admit that there is an inverse correlation between my enjoyment of splitting wood and my dependancy on it for light heat and power.) I'm not sure why I get such a kick out of it.

There's simply something calming, peaceful even about being able to focus on something entirely physical. No mental distractions - even, no physical distractions out in the woods - just complete attention on that block of wood, scanning it for knots and subtle cracks. Then the heft and whistle of a 10-pound maul.

Concentration, you see, is a key element of splitting wood with a 10-pound maul. All it takes is one little glance, one slight waver and the best case scenario is that you just chip the block, or thud it into a knot (damn you white oak!). Worst case, of course, is that you bury it in your foot. Concentration is key.

So my back is a little sore. It's worth it.