In his commentary for RCP, Michael Barone weighs in on the NSA domestic “spying” story. From
December 2005
December 27, 2005
My first brief conversation with my new Xmas Sonicare Intelliclean System i8500 with Crest liquid toothpaste
Sonicare i8500: “So. You ready…?” Me: “I think so. But be gentle, okay? This is my first time.”
December 26, 2005
The “10cc’s ‘The Things We Do For Love,’ unadorned” post (from the protein wisdom conceptual series)
1. lay your bets and then pay the price 2. walk in the rain and snow / when there’s nowhere to go / feeling like a part of you is dying 3. look for the answer in her eyes 4. think you’re gonna break up / she says she wants to make up 5. agree to disagree, but disagree to part 6. compromise
December 26, 2005
The Third Coming?
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
December 26, 2005
“I’m dreaming of a Hussein Christmas”
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
December 24, 2005
“U.N. Approves 6-Month Cap on Budget for 2006”
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
December 24, 2005
“Spy Agency Mined Vast Data Trove, Officials Report”
From the New York Times The National Security Agency has traced and analyzed large volumes of telephone and Internet communications flowing into and out of the United States as part of the eavesdropping program that President Bush approved after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to hunt for evidence of terrorist activity, according to current and former government officials. [Translation: The NSA has performed the functions of the NSA] The volume
December 23, 2005
‘Twas the Friday before Christmas and all through the—
—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:
December 23, 2005
My twelfth brief conversation with the ghost of John Merrick
Merrick: “I AM NOT AN ANIMAL!†me: “Perhaps. But if you were an animal, would you stipulate that any executive authorizition for warrantless electronic surveillance on you would meet the requirements for one of the 1978 FISA exemptions? After all, the statute only proffers protections to US persons. Animals, per the statute, need to apply.” Merrick: “I AM A HUMAN BEING!” me: “Feh. That’s the same defense terrorists embedded in