today's readings

First, let's start with a masterful bit of liberal-baiting by James Lileks in the Dallas Whoring News. James is especially aided in his ridicule by that fact that he's right, sort of. Democrats have let themselves be associated with the Far Left wackos, while Republicans have somehow managed to avoid connection with their own wackos (Ted Kaczynski, Lyndon LaRouche, David Duke) or have even, somehow, cleaned them off by embracing them (Pat Roberts, anyone?). The Democratic Party will never make a comeback, no matter how easy Republicans might make it for them, if they dont figure out a way to not let the GOP make them look so ridiculous.

Then, read this Worldchanging article about "leapfrogging" of infrastructures in less developed nations. Those who think America cant be left behind because it has such a big head start technologically may find themselves very surprised. (my thanx to Dave in Australia, yet again)

Does anyone know how hard it is to not get angry about the Bush Administration and the Republican Party? It requires wearing blinders of some sort, either Ideological ones, or those made from pure, Blissful Ignorance. Now normally, I dont care for Salon E-magazine (it's an access issue, not a content issue) but I'm still going to recommend you read this article on BushCorp friends and Iraqi Reconstruction (after wading through the tedious flood of advertising). Then ask yourself this question while you read it: Why do Republicans, who supposedly are all in favor of the Market System, give out "cost-plus" contracts?

While you're at it, or if you read nothing else, read this article on the Teapot Dome Scandal, and ask yourself: "Would this even have made a blip on the radar today?". If your answer is no, does that disturb you? It bothers me.

And now, just because I think it's really funny, I'll quote David Letterman, who says, the President "is asking Congress for $80 billion to help rebuild Iraq. And when you make out that check, remember -- there are two L's in Halliburton."

I gotta tell you, my week of attempted detatchment isnt going very well, and I've still got John Roberts to contend with.