Kennedy:  “Yes, I’d like two Big Macs, large fries, and a large Diet Pepsi.” Drive-thru employee:  “Super-sized, right?” Kennedy: “Of course.” Kennedy:  “…Wait, how did you –? Kennedy:  “– Okay, LET ME SEE YOUR FISA WARRANT, DRIVE-THRU GUY.  NOW!”

A very interesing set of comments in yesterday’s thread on warring fatwas, one of which I want to draw particular attention to (though I encourage you to go read the exchange between Ric Locke and arch, as well). This is from Nishizono Shinji: The oral tradition of the Qu’ran is based on the oral traditions of the bedouin tribes.  Arabic was spoken long before it was written.  It is not

From the Weekly Standard‘s “Scrapbook,” 12/26: Former President Jimmy Carter, in an interview for the January issue of GQ magazine, reveals how, on the recommendation of then-CIA director Stansfield Turner, he once authorized a psychic to make targeting decisions–while “in a trance”–for America’s satellite surveillance system: GQ: One of the promises you made in 1976 was that if you were elected, you would look into the [UFO] reports from Roswell

From the AP: It’s becoming known as the war of the fatwas: the dizzying exchange of proclamations between Islamic moderates and militants on what it means to be Muslim. The duels have been waged everywhere from pamphlets to cyberspace. Now some Muslim leaders seek to shift tactics against radicals. Their hope rests in one of Islam’s most elemental questions: Who has the real authority to make religious rulings and other

In response to a historians’ list of the 10 Worst Britons of the last 1000 years, Alexandra of All Things Beautiful has asked for a list of the 10 Worst Americans of all time.  Rather than thinking this over, I’ve decided to go with my gut and name the first 10 that come to mind: 10.  Steve G*rtz A musclebound bully who spent his late teens and early twenties looking

New York: A Manhattan man’s holiday spirits soared to celestial heights Friday when a judge gave him permission to change his name to Jesus Christ. Jose Luis Espinal, 42, of Washington Heights, said he was “happy” and “grateful” that the judge approved the change, effective immediately. Espinal said he was moved to seek the name change about a year ago when it dawned on him, “I am the person that

A heartwarming holiday reminder from the AP:  Things in Iraq suck, freedom isn’t really free, a vote isn’t really a vote, Christmas mass is a terror event, and in the old days—before they were torn asunder out of fear and the mass exodus caused by post-invasion security concerns—happy families ran barefoot through Baghdad laughing and flying kites… **** update:  Unfortunately, for all the good possible now that Hussein has been

From the LA Times: Under intense pressure from the United States, U.N. members agreed Friday that the world body would receive half of its budget for 2006 until it could show that its management had become more accountable and streamlined. If U.N. members show progress on key reforms by June, the $950-million cap will be removed, and the U.N. will receive the rest of its nearly $2 billion in dues

—You may as well stop right there, guys, because it ain’t gonna happen.  Though for you trivia buffs, here’s something you might find interesting:  it takes a 6 kg adult Dasypus novemcinctus sick on spiced rum and half a pack of clove cigarettes a little under 11 minutes to sink completely to the bottom of a 2-gallon punch bowl filled with 4 bottles of Mr Boston’s Creamy Eggnog. Logistical note: