Andrew Sullivan's Blog, page 2819

The GOP's Expiration Date Nears? Ctd

Karl Smith is in the same ballpark as Teixeira:

Michael Steele says he wants to bring the GOP to a "hip-hop urban-suburban" audience. However, suburban doesn't look like its going to cut it. The country is urbanizing. Whether its "re" urbanizing or continuing a long run trend towards density is a matter of debate.  I tend to think this is a new phenomena but that's an argument for another day.

Urbanites clearly see government in more favorable lights than suburban and rural dwellers for the...

"Do Intelligent Arguments Make A Difference?" Ctd

Sprung pipes up:

Momentous events may ultimately settle arguments, forinstance by discrediting Hooverian retrenchment in the face ofDepression. Successful politicians articulate what's not working, andwhy -- though sometimes, for sure, cleverly packaged nostrums win theday, short-term. "The gravitational pull of mounting social change" isshaped gradually by event and argument - as in the spectacle of MartinLuther King's peaceful demonstrators being beaten and having debrisheaped on them -...

Dissent Of The Day

A reader writes:

I know you are committed to the view that Obama presented us with an opportunity to wind down the American empire.  I often sympathize with your point of view, but there are at least a couple problems with it.  First of all, I don't think there is any longer a politically significant strain of non-interventionism in the USA.  It is still strong enough to create minor presidential candidates like a Ron Paul, but it doesn't have much more life in it than that.  Second, do...

The Animal That Masturbates, Ctd

A reader writes:

While there is some debate as to whether or not homosexuality is common in the natural world, there is no debate that masturbation is incredibly common. Masturbation is literally as common as the birds and the bees - while I don't know if bees masturbate, I keep parrots, and can attest that with birds masturbation is commonplace. (I have had a male parrot masturbate to ejaculation on my shoulder.) Dolphins masturbate. Dogs masturbate. And, of course, primates masturbate...

North Korea's World Cup, Ctd

A reader writes:

The Football Ramble had a blogger from inside North Korea. These dispatches are really cool and, as far as I can tell, real: June 20th - June 21st - June 23rd

From the first entry:

The small ex-pat community here in Pyongyang are, thankfully, ableto catch this year's games live on satellite television. The Koreanproletariat aren't quite so fortunate, but the event has received morecoverage in the Korean media than your humble correspondent hadanticipated and, contrary to...

Nibbler-In-Chief

An interesting take on Obama and gay rights. And by nibbler, I don't mean his poop can power starships.
















United States - President - Barack Obama - Obama - Government

Mental Health Break

"Leave it to a montage of clips from Star Trek: The Original Series to finally make the experience of listening to Ke$ha slightly less self-immolation-inducing."

Star Trek - Games - Television and Movie - Roleplaying - Online

The View From Your Recession

A reader writes:

Today I receive my last unemployment check. I've used up all available extensions. My position was eliminated on Feb. 1, 2009. Since then I've diligently searched for work. I have a MA and 23 years experience. I've had three interviews and no offers. My savings, including retirement, is gone. I had to sell my house. I've moved from Michigan to Massachusetts into the home of my parents, who at 81 and 71 live on their investments (which have been dwindling in this economy.) At...

Why Ag Subsidies Should Go

Dylan Matthews makes a pithy argument:

While subsidies have stabilized in the past few years around $100billion a year -- a huge number, given that agriculture (not includingthings like cotton and tobacco) only accounted for $136 billionof GDP in 2009 -- the composition has changed, with general support andconsumer subsidies gaining ground and producer subsidies falling. Thislevel of spending, as many have pointed out, artificially lowers theprice of U.S. agricultural goods, driving up U.S...

Go Cheney Yourself, Mr Beck

The view from Captain Jack's Bar in Lincoln, Nebraska (keep your eye on the guy in the lower right):

More bursts of patriotism from around the country here.

Nebraska - Hosting - Web Design and Development - Free - Sports Related