Jonathan Miller's Blog, page 433

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Immigration

The Politics of Immigration

As we all know, anti-immigration sentiments, prejudice and bigotry have been around a long, long time. But did you know that the genesis of the Beatles' "Get Back" may have come from a rant against Enoch Powell by Paul McCartney during the dreadful "Get Back" studio sessions in 1969? Fascinating, rare footage of John and Paul cracking it up. [The Commonwealth Song]

The RP has referenced Barack Obama's parents in the past, but a recent New York Times Sunday Magazine a...

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Fame

The Politics of Fame

Pakistani Twitter user becomes famous for his tweets during the U.S. raid on Osama Bin Laden's compound. [CNet]

Fake Osama Bin Laden death photos go viral online. [Yahoo News]

How does Capitol Hill consume media? [Huffington Post]

Native-American groups find U.S. operation's codename "Geronimo" to be offensive. []

Katie Couric's negotiations with CBS said to be dead. [TMZ]

John Johnson: An Impatient Recovering Academic

I would be the first to admit it – I am not a patient person. For example, I've owned 5 different cell phones in the last 3 years. Why? Because I get impatient whenever a new feature comes out that my phone doesn't have! If you want to torture me, ask me to wait in the grocery check-out line. On my birthday, we open gifts at 7 AM. Waiting a few minutes at the coffee shop for a friend running late tests my patience. Yet, in my professional career, it has been my lack of patience that actually ...

May the 4th Be With You; & Tomorrow at The Recovering Politician

Happy Star Wars day to all of our readers-who-need-to-get-a-life!  Enjoy an evening of fake lasers and bad James Earl Jones imitations.

Thursday is the debut of a new Friend of RP who has made the journey from academia to entrepreneurship.  He has some valuable lessons to share about patience and recovery.

And as always, plenty of Weekly Web Gems, featuring links to some of the best civil dialogue on the Internet.

See you tomorrow!

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Laughter

The Politics of Laughter

It's all in the glasses. You know what I'm talking about, David Caruso. [comic]

The man who inadvertently live-blogged the raid on Osama Bin Laden's compound. [Twitter]

Moths to a flame [comic]

Some people just can't handle their winged insects. [image]

Catching a foul ball – like a boss. [YouTube]

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of Recovery

A teacher shaves the beard he has been growing since September 11, 2001 in celebration of Bin Laden's capture. [CNN]

One thing that's not recovering: gas prices. [Time]

Former secretary of state Condoleeza Rice is back, sharing her thoughts about her time in office and her plans for the future. [NY Times Magazine]

Delivery people make themselves feel better by calling out bad tippers in a blog. [Huffington Post]

Part of the healing process for many Americans is sharing their feelings about Osama ...

Jeff Smith: The Recovering Redistrict-aholic

Before and during my time in the state Senate, I taught political science for a decade, and no issue fascinated my students more than redistricting. Once I opened class during the week on redistricting by bringing several chairs to the front of the lecture hall, turning on Snoop Dogg's anthem "Who Am I?", and leading students in a game of Musical Chairs. (I picked Snoop because the mentality of politicians facing redistricting is pure gangsta: you do whatever you need to do to survive. Also, ...

The RP's Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of the Diamond

Politics of the Diamond

 

Francisco Liriano tossed the first no-hitter of 2011 for the Minnesota Twins.  Even though he walked 6 guys, a no hitter is impressive regardless. [Minneapolis Star-Tribune]

discussed declining attendance at MLB parks in this space before.  While baseball fans may be worried that people aren't coming out to see the nation's past time, Bud Selig isn't. [SI]

The Indians–yes, the ones from Cleveland–are perched atop the AL Central, a full 4.5 games clear of Kansas City–who ...

Carte Goodwin: My Brief but Fascinating Experience as a U.S. Senator

When Jonathan Miller called me and asked whether I would be interested in contributing a piece to a new website he was starting called "The Recovering Politician," I was admittedly a little reluctant.  First, I'm wary of the characterization of "politician" – not because of any negative connotation, but rather because I'm not sure I qualify since I never had sought elective office   And irrespective of that first concern, I'm fully aware that it would be quite a stretch to claim that I've...

Tomorrow at The Recovering Politician

Tomorrow, we are very excited to add to our contributing roster our first former United States Senator.  His term was quite memorable, albeit very short — he served for four months to fill the vacancy of a true legend of that august body.

Still a very young man, he has quite a future ahead of him.  Time magazine this year named him last year to its super-prestigious "40 Under 40″ list of rising political stars. 

SPOILER ALERT:  Clicking on the previous link will ruin the surprise of his big...