I see your pirates and raise you

On the BAMF scale, the British Army Gurkhas rank pretty high. A delightful legacy of colonialism, these Nepalese volunteer soldiers have an elite record of fighting for the crown.
Historically, the Gurkhas suffered from their exceptional status within the British military: While veterans from other countries, including Ireland and South Africa, were entitled to [...]

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Machination math

Congressman Barney Frank is a witty guy. When California Republican David Dreier was passed over for a House leadership position, the openly gay Frank was asked whether he thought this was because Dreier was “too moderate” or because of persistant rumors about Dreier sexual preferences. His reply?
“[Dreier] didn’t get it because he was [...]

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Pirates! (not another keira knightley period peice)

I was always under the impression that part of the current pop culture fascination with maritime piracy sprang from commonness of internet piracy.  People, I think, like to indulge in the 18th century fantasy of rum and plunder because it serves as a kitschy extended metaphor for their bittorrent habit.  ‘Yarrr, it be the Morrisey [...]

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And now a word from the Jew who doesn’t understand finance

All this financial stuff is above my pay grade.  If any commenters want to debate the economics of the bailout, it’s all yours.  But a few unconnected thoughts first:
1)  It’s the politics, stupid.  One thing I did see coming, no one in a tight re-election race was voting for this $700 billion boondoggle.  Voting against [...]

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when toys are made of fail…

source

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The $64,000 question

Name a Supreme Court decision.
“Roe v. Wade.”
Point, wingnuts.  Now name another.
“…”
Seriously.  Jonathan Martin reports:
“Of concern to McCain’s campaign, however, is a remaining and still-undisclosed clip from Palin’s interview with Couric last week that has the political world buzzing.  The Palin aide, after first noting how “infuriating” it was for CBS to purportedly leak word about [...]

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Plus ca change

The Republican Party traffics in racism.  This is not to say every Republican is racist.  Nor to suggest that a good-faith argument about affirmative action is impossible.  Nor to absolve fool-ass Democrats and our theoretical allies.  However.  (And it’s a big “however:”)  The Republican Party is populated by an impressive cast of racist politicians, staffers, [...]

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More spotted politicians

Julian Bond popped up Saturday night over dinner.  Today, having lunch at Eastern Market, I caught Congressman Steve Cohen.  Sadly I don’t have a camera on my phone, so you’ll have to trust my judgement.  Cohen is a unique-looking character, and was also wearing an orange lapel pin, so I’m certain it was him.
In case [...]

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Bond…Julian Bond. Bananas!

So, over a massive plate of paella at Banana Cafe & Piano Bar in Eastern Market tonight, Mischa and I spotted Julian Bond, the chairman of the NAACP:

I know it’s an awful photo, but it’s the best I could do on my iphone without being obvious. Trust us, it was definitely him.
Personally, I think he [...]

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Linguist needed

The following exchange occurred on a message board at www.mgoblog.com, an outstanding Michigan sports blog:
Posted on: September 18th, 2008 at 11:46 PM #17
Jim Harbaugh Scramble Joined: 2008-06-30
David Terrell’s nickname was “Bomb-ass Dick.”
Posted on: September 19th, 2008 at 12:19 AM #18
Tim Waymen Joined: 2008-06-30
I heard that story!!…
Posted on: September 19th, 2008 at 12:24 AM #19
PattyMax64 Joined: [...]

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