Monthly Archives: October 2008

Quotable

From Mohammed, at Iraq the Model, on the Status of Forces agreement: I don’t dare suggest that Obama wanted to obstruct the treaty because it threatens Iran and other despots in the Middle East; I’m sure his purpose is different. The thing is that his purpose is also different from that of the U.S. or …

October 31, 2008 – 2:22 pm | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , | Comments (0)

I’m thrilled Philly won the World Series. Can I ask for a safer, cleaner, more prosperous city now?

Homeless problem, past and present Crime Business-friendly? hahahahahaha When running for Mayor some time ago, Michael Nutter actually took the time to slam Bush/Cheney in his ads, which made no sense – Philadelphia’s local problems are its own doing and responsibility. I went looking for progress reports on how the city is doing, haven’t found …

October 29, 2008 – 11:27 pm | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged | Comments (1)

Noted Frustration

Those Bach Inventions and Sinfonias present a new challenge for me, the occasional pianist. I don’t care about the mistakes, but I do care that each voice is rich and vibrant and makes melodic sense. Moreover, I want a mature sound, a sound coming from a 28 year old at least. Trouble is that it …

October 28, 2008 – 5:24 pm | By ashok | Posted in music, personal | Tagged | Comments (0)

Thinking Small

The yellow-green leaves outside my window catch sunlight, as do the orange and brown ones. But the yellow definitely catches my eye the most: it seems an earthy counterpart to the sun itself. These autumn days are our riches. Even Starbucks and Wawa and various beer companies offer a full line of fall products to …

October 26, 2008 – 3:03 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal | Tagged | Comments (1)

No kidding.

I don’t feel like reading Xenophon and writing a line-by-line commentary right now. What I want to do is write the most elegant flashy essay packed with a new reading of American history and its themes that will make us all perfectly rational voters eager to read Plato at the drop of a hat. I …

October 24, 2008 – 7:03 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

For Republicans: On Creating a Self-Sustaining, Educated Party

The latest plan [Congress is offering] is even worse than the spring round of $100 billion or so in tax rebate checks. At least rebates allowed taxpayers to spend their own money. Under this stimulus the government will tax or borrow $150 billion to $300 billion in order to spend the money on social and …

October 23, 2008 – 10:33 am | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , | Comments (1)

Professor William Ayers and the Corruption of the Academy

Before I begin, let me make something clear: reading Bill Ayers’ blog has made me feel really sorry for the guy, not because he’s done anything right, but because he just sounds nuts. Part of me feels as if he’s being used, weirdly enough, by people like Senator Obama and the educational/political establishment in Chicago. …

October 21, 2008 – 4:42 am | By ashok | Posted in academia, education, politics | Comments (6)

Beyond

The thought of her occurs at the strangest times, complete with guilt and regret. It’s not like leaving home and thinking you forgot your wallet or phone. What’s left of significance is still with me: memories of her likes and dislikes, some of her taste in music, even some of her words. The words of …

October 19, 2008 – 5:17 am | By ashok | Posted in personal | Tagged | Comments (1)

Links, 10/18/08

Deborah Miranda’s “The Zen of La Llorona” (h/t Ario) haunts elegantly, if such a thing is possible: Lovers, families, friends, possessions, egos — / we keep nothing of this world, not even our bodies. Coffee ice cream. Mmmmmmmm. Peggy Noonan on why she doesn’t like Sarah Palin: Most of this critique falls flat for me …

October 18, 2008 – 6:53 am | By ashok | Posted in links | Comments (0)

Comment on Neal Stephenson’s “The Diamond Age:” Hackworth, Authorship and Philosophy

Subject to change when I reread the book. IT IS POSSIBLE to conceive of knowledge as reflecting an eternal order, a way things should best be done. Knowledge in this case would be linked to Being, whose permanence would be seen in moral laws, aesthetic standards, and intellectual discipline. Confucian and Victorian mores are of …

October 17, 2008 – 1:50 am | By ashok | Posted in writing | Tagged , | Comments (0)