Feist of the day

From our favorite Spinster Auntie:

Because feminization is among the first steps taken to socialize children, and because it is so readily accepted, deeply internalized, and staunchly defended, it is the primary foundation of patriarchy.

Watching grandma put Speck into a series of frilly dresses during her visits, I cringe in anticipation of the larger battles to come -- against Otherness, against the right to just Be. (But Twisty's point applies more broadly as well, of course.)

Wow.

Um, what she said. Really, every *@#$% point. Go, Ohio!

(via Eschaton)

A safety net for the big players only

A pithy comment on the proposed bailout here -- short enough you should just go read it.

In other words, folks spent years making billions upon billions of dollars on risky transactions, more money on the stock of companies that was artificially high based on those transactions, more money bundling all those transactions into more transactions, and made a killing, and when it turns out the whole thing is a big pile of shit, you and I get the god damned bill.

But let's not socialize medicine or provide a safety net for old folks and those caught out by circumstance -- only really bad trading should get you a handout. Free markets, blah blah blah...

(via Medley)

Tuesday fun bits

Just a few neat bits that have caught my eye today:

• Results of a cover design contest held by Penguin Books for a forthcoming novel. Interesting to see a range of artists interpret a concept...
  (via Kottke)
  
  
• A short video on how crayons are made -- simultaneously mechanized and human (at least in this 1970s moment).
  (via Kottke)
  
  
• Main Street's possible response to the proposed Wall Street bail-out? Hey, Washington, Buy my shitpile too!

  Use the form below to submit bad assets you'd like the government to take off your hands. And remember, when estimating the value of your 1997 limited edition Hanson single CD "MMMbop", it's not what you can sell these items for that matters, it's what you think they are worth. The fact that you think they are worth more than anyone will buy them for is what makes them bad assets.

  Hilarious.

Poem of the day

Yes

It could happen any time,
tornado,
earthquake, Armageddon. It
could happen.
Or sunshine, love,
salvation.

It could, you know. That's
why we wake
and look out - no
guarantees
in this life.

But some bonuses, like
morning,
like right now, like noon,
like evening.

- William Stafford

(via whiskey river)

Heh heh

From a TPM reader, the quote of the week:

Considering as how the proposed Wall Street bailout will be one of the most intensely lobbied efforts in American history, will there be anyone left to manage John McCain's campaign?

Heh heh heh . . .

Bad choices should have *some* repurcussions

...but, of course, we also don't want the nation's financial system to completely collapse. However, I worry when people with a pretty good grip on economic theory think that the proposed bail-out is a bad idea. If we're giving a number of big institutions a transfusion of taxpayer funds, we'd better be getting something for it...

(via Talking Points Memo)

Hey, who's that guy?

Apparently Biden just emerged from his gopher hole to bring some feist. Yes, the economy is doing *so* well..

In a nutshell

Josh Marshall hits the nail on the head on recent shameless McCain advertising:

Basing a campaign for high office on a strategy of deliberate lies is not an issue of tactics. It calls into question the character of the candidate and his fitness for office.

Bingo. I just hope the American public figures it out in time.

Weekend baby sighting

We took Speck on her first hiking trip -- that is, we tested out the baby backpack/carrier on a short walk in the woods.


She was generally a trooper, although the combination of the heat and the novelty of the carrier (which seems a bit less comfortable than her usual modes of transport) eventually brought some loud complaints. Still, now we're calibrated for the length of wander we can manage at this age age, and can work from there...

Why being a quick study isn't enough

I recommend reading this short article on why it matters that Palin couldn't give an opinion on the Bush Doctrine -- not because she wasn't briefed enough for gotcha politics, but because it shows that she's had a relative disinterest in national/foreign affairs over the last seven years, including the defining issue of that era. Somebody whose head has been that much in the sand has no business running for major office.

(via Talking POints Memo)

Three words I never wanted to hear together

Just like Cheney

Wheeeee!

What could be cooler than a remote-controlled car that can climb walls? Well, one that held a longer charge, I suppose, but still, pretty spiff.

Who your friends are

Here's a fantastic graphic that clarifies the differences between McCain's and Obama's tax proposals -- who gets what percentage tax increase or decrease. Of course, the former makes the biggest slashes for the biggest earners (what a surprise!), while the latter gives back the most tangible sums to the majority of working Americans. It's hard to find even a speck of basis here for some of McCain's ads and spin, but that's just par for the course these days. (Did you see this?!?)

(via Bitch, Ph.D.)

Quote of the day

An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation,
nor does the truth become error because nobody will see it.

- Mohandas K. Gandhi
(1869-1948)

(via A.W.A.D.)

In case you forget

Am always glad to see writers reminding us of why there's no reason to be ashamed of or run from the label "liberal" -- indeed, it has a legacy to be proud of. The latest here in the NYTimes. His list reminded me of the Brand Dem project which (appropriately) claimed much of the last century's social gains for the Democratic Party:

(article via Atrios)

Ouch!

I guess that Jon Stewart has given up any interest in having John McCain on his show again, after the no-holds-barred career review they gave him last week -- every moment of poor performance, every clip of changing positions, the requisite humorous exaggerations -- not a pretty sight. The last third of the clip is actually titled "abandoning everything he'd always stood for." eep.

Edit: This reminds me of the best summary I've seen of the response to Palin's nomination -- that is, the hypocrisy of the pundits who forgive her for every sin they've attacked in others. Video clips are a harsh truthteller...

Definitely *not* a tin ear

Yeah, who cares about homes when there are real estate investments falling by the wayside? Eesh.

Definitely *not* a senility issue

What on earth?!?
I'll admit I didn't watch, but this is too bizarre.

Piling up the money quotes

The latest from Palin really makes her look dim. Of course, the Republicans have spent 8 years building up defiance in the face of obvious signs of dimness and ineptitude, so perhaps they won't care about the glut of gaffs like this that are pouring out now under closer scrutiny...