Monthly Archives: December 2007

If Things Are Going Well, Why Should Anyone Be Active Politically?

If things are comfortable, and issues domestic and foreign entrusted to individuals competent enough, then why should anyone be talking about politics? Why should we in America be so passionate about this Presidential election? Is there really an enormous amount on the line, or are we making stuff up because we’re bored? It could be …

December 24, 2007 – 4:13 pm | By ashok | Posted in politics | Comments (7)

Is Slippery Slope Logic Acceptable in an Argument?

These are just notes. As said before, trying to describe political positions as good/bad purely abstractly is the refuge of the scoundrel – the major reason why people do such things is to argue for inhumane things. The foundations of any given regime are a grappling with necessity for the sake of something higher, but …

December 22, 2007 – 1:38 pm | By ashok | Posted in politics | Comments (5)

Outta Here…

Will be in Dallas & Costa Rica from the 20th – 3rd. There may be an update or two over that time, I’m not sure how that will work out yet. In case I don’t get to say it later, please have a Merry Christmas. Powered by ScribeFire.

December 19, 2007 – 5:52 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal | Comments (1)

On the Eagles’ Prospects for Next Year:

Ned Macey at Football Outsiders put it perfectly: A rehabbing quarterback, inconsistent secondary, and poor red zone offense have spelled the difference between a 9-5 team heading to the playoffs and a 6-8 team questioning the direction of the franchise. If they stay the course, odds are they would be right back in the thick …

December 18, 2007 – 7:32 pm | By ashok | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments (1)

December Afternoon

Dark trees rise againsta gentle sky-blue backdrop:bright clouds tinged with gold. Powered by ScribeFire.

December 17, 2007 – 7:07 pm | By ashok | Posted in poetry | Comments (0)

Why Having Vouchers For Education Is The Most Important Issue In America

1. Let’s be clear: most people have no clue what a proper education is, and will never have a clue what a proper education is. Most people care to be ignorant, and the fact that school choice increases competition and purportedly efficiency misses a key fact about education: it is possible to make people dumber, …

December 14, 2007 – 6:01 pm | By ashok | Posted in education, politics | Comments (3)

Notes on Dickinson’s "Publication Is The Auction…" (709)

(709) “Publication is the Auction…” Emily Dickinson Publication – is the Auction Of the Mind of Man – Poverty – be justifying For so foul a thing Possibly – but We – would rather From Our Garret go White – Unto the White Creator – Than invest – Our Snow – Thought belong to Him …

December 14, 2007 – 11:45 am | By ashok | Posted in dickinson, poetry | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

How it is Possible for the Internet to Reduce Us to Drooling on Ourselves in front of a Screen

1. Don’t ask me how I came across the gentleman cited below, I don’t wish to create further embarrassment for anyone else.reymon14: “2 divided by 9 is 100 that means I’m 22 percent smart”I don’t think I need to make it clear that I’m not picking on YouTube user reymon14 – there’s actually an early …

December 13, 2007 – 3:39 pm | By ashok | Posted in politics | Comments (1)

Distance

Memories don’t go away sometimes – they become wishes and they push to be made real. The farther the object of affection, the less known about it, the more the past reasserts itself. It idealizes itself and expects action. In this time of year, when from warmth we watch water freeze and turn solid, it …

December 12, 2007 – 12:59 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal | Comments (0)

Request for Statistics: Are Conservative Foundations and Think-Tanks Far Outspent By Their Liberal Counterparts?

A quick googling of the topic reveals that “analysis” involves debating, for liberal authors, whether the media and academia are liberal or not. Conservatives just take it for granted that they’re outspent. What is below is nothing but a link dump – the first three articles by Lazere, Alterman and Paget I find really problematic, …

December 11, 2007 – 11:05 am | By ashok | Posted in politics | Comments (0)