Slate V: News and Politics

Stimulation- Music Video

mathpol — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:40:50 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GszFafZWxik

The title refers to the stimulus package recently passed by Congress. Sung to the music of “Celebration”, by Kool and the Gang.

The Twelve Days of Choosing (Obama's Top Team)

mathpol — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:58:44 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuUFFGbuiUo

Parody on The Twelve Days of Christmas, as applied to Obama's picks for his Cabinet and other key posts. The list is intended to be cumulative (that is, each person is picked only once). At the end I present those left out due to time constraints (Only twelve days!)

‘Twas The Night Before Bailouts. The Video

mathpol — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:46:02 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBB_pDZSKYQ

by Gregory Bachelis, aka mathpol

‘Twas the night before bailouts, and all through the nation

Not a business was stirring, not large corporations

Their requests had been sent to Congress with care

In hopes that Pelosi, or Reid, would give them a share

The CEO’s had their hopes set on the Fed

And visions of bonuses danced in their heads

I was at home, full of hope and wonder

At the thought of big companies not going under.

Then out on the street there arose such a clatter,

I looked out the window to see what was the matter.

On the street was a hay wagon, making its way

Not the usual wagon, filled with bales of hay.

No, this one, (and I know this sounds funny),

Was filled instead with bales full of money.

With a very old driver, so morose and deadpan,

That I knew in a flash it was Alan Greenspan

There was a small note, stuck to each cash bale

With the name of a company too big to fail.

The wagon was drawn by eight sleek mega-bucks

Alan shouted their names as he whipped their buttocks

“Now Paulson, Bernanke, Now Rubin and Volcker

On Summers, On Krugman, On Cramer and Geithner,

We must get to each company’s current retreat!

So I can toss a bale out at the revelers’ feet"

And so the hay wagon continued on,

Until the last bailout bales were gone.

Greenspan then to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

And as they flew way up into the sky,

Alan cried, “I must see Ayn Rand one more time ‘fore I die.”

And I heard him exclaim as they flew into the night

"Happy bailouts to all, and to none, oversight!"

General at this point

michael whittaker — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:01:18 GMT

Dear Sir, Madam,

Your Magazine gives me great pleasure. Therefore I respond.

Especially to the work of my dear Christopher Hitchens, of whom I am a devoted fan.

( although 2 years older, also a brit, so don't let's get carried away:).

Just a note for Chris: I seem to agree with you too much. Are we clones, or the outcome of a common postwar experience?

Don't want to intrude upon your time, but I love your ascerbic pieces. I thought I was bad!

Keep it up, please. Someone has to do it.

Yours truly,

Michael. ( a Lancashire boy- but so is Lord Norman Foster- bless his heart- another bloody northerner:)

ps: you have the clearest sound I've heard yet in over 30 yrs of international work, presidently residing in bloated, complacent yet free north america.

My Sarah Palin video

mathpol — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:31:12 GMT

Sarah Palin's Song. Doin' what the Lord tells me.

http://www.youtube.com/v/yeHF7Nrnrc4

"Don't you believe in freedom?"

Carnivore151 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:49:23 GMT

That's exactly what Fox News wanted to happen. It's the equivalent of the Weather Channel sending a reporter to stand on the beach during a hurricane. At least the WC reporters don't ask the wind if it doesn't believe in tranquility. How inane. Just how stupid do they think we are?

Sarah Palin: A United Front

b_r — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:54:10 GMT

Wow, the piece that asks the Republican delegates what they think about Sarah Palin......do they know they sound like Democrats? The compassion for the teen pregnancy and how everybody knows somebody and how it's not that big of a deal. I think they might just be human after all.

Although, the emphasis on how Sarah Palin is just like the rest of us is discouraging. We tried that already with George Bush and that didn't work out too well.

Skating "Monkeys" Don't Rock My World

laughingchimp — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:33:35 GMT

There's no doubt that they look adorable but that's largely because they are so similar to human children. Genetically, chimps have more in common with humans than they do with monkeys. They are even closer to humans than they are to gorillas. There's something odd about seeing a juvenile perform knowing that as an adult it will be too powerful and independent to be useful.

As a small public education about this endangered species, (our closest living relatives) they should at least be properly labeled.

But they sure are cute.

http://www.lpzoo.org/chimp-ssp/apes_in_entertainment.htm

http://www.janegoodall.org

http://www.greatapeproject.org

Court or "court."

dsf3g — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:58:37 GMT

Shouldn't the word "court" have been in quotes in this particular story?

home phone

mary Lehmann — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:35:26 GMT

hang on do not hang up... us folks in the woods do not have cell service... tho I would love to bypass the mega giants that out source customer service where I have to listen to broken english or chickens and crying children...and never do get "customer service"

Novak: Mission to 18th and K Streets

RobertHewson — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:29:34 GMT

From:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/07/mission-to-18th-and-k.html

Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Mission to 18th and K

The decision of a 66 year old pedestrian to splay himself across the innocent windshield of columnist Robert Novak's Corvette convertible on July 23, 2008 was made routinely, at a low level of intellectual consideration and attention, without the columnist's knowledge. Remarkably, this produced a firestorm of media attention that has yet to subside.

Witnesses' reports that Novak drove directly into the pedestrian, who was crossing on the "Walk" signal, that the pedestrian was splayed across the windshield involuntarily, as a result of being struck by Novak's vehicle, and that Novak then drove away from the scene of the hit-and-run until a witness on a bicycle chased Novak, having to repeatedly block his vehicle to prevent Novak's attempts to escape from the scene were highly unlikely, regarded by the columnist as less than definitive, and it is doubtful that Novak ever saw him. Certainly officers on 18th Street did not, before they arrived at the downtown address, attributing Novak's behavior to "reckless driving" and issuing a $50 citation.

That witness reports relied on the statements of a bicycle riding, knapsack wearing, possibly liberal and environmentalist lawyer made Novak's mission, moments earlier, the basis of unhinged Democratic accusations of "hitting a 66-year old man who was legally crossing the street" and "driving away after an accident victim was spread across the hood of your car", though these accusations were apparently forgotten by the time Novak was faced with reporters at the scene, and in response to their questions, tersely spoke.

Reluctance by the pedestrian to admit a mistake has led Democrats increasingly closer to saying that Novak dissembled about his actions when driving through the crosswalk. Even after a belated interview with TMZ, in which, in a quasi-apology rich with the dark irony for which he is noted, he stated that he was distracted while driving by "listening to NPR," finger-pointing at the events in the intersection continued. Messages between the Politico and Think Progress hashed over the quotes from witnesses, while more rational blogs speculated that the accident had been a set-up by liberal operatives, who hoped to draw attention from statements by John McCain praising the surge.

Novak's mission was created in his early crusading efforts to reform pedestrian behavior, using the clear, honest, visionary prose for which he has long been known. In 2001, he reportedly cursed at a jaywalker only blocks from the White House, on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 13th Streets, intoning the command heard round the world, "Learn to read the signs, [bodily orifice]!" Stating further in an interview that "I really hate jaywalkers...I despise them...the only other option is to run them over...", Democratic operatives unfairly concluded that Novak's compassionate calling to urban reform in fact represented a mission to splay.

That's where Bono came in. Carrying the dual monikers of a sixties counterculture radical and a 21st century shades-wearing, debt-relieving, globe-trotting liberal firebrand, the bicyclist "witness" came to notice when, cruising lightly, almost as if windsurfing, he wheeled up on his no-doubt-French-made cycle to the window of Novak's Corvette (built entirely in the U.S.A.) and "hit the window with (his) fist." Bono claimed that he stated to Novak that "you can't just hit a pedestrian and drive away." He then placed his bicycle in front of Novak's car, apparently assuming that he had the force and authority to block Novak's further egress.

Bono is not a representative of District of Columbia Traffic Agency. However, his wife, Shaunee Moon (Littletree) Bono is an agency operative on liberalization of jaywalking policy. Two senior Traffic Agency officials told me that Bono's wife suggested sending him to 18th and K to intercept Novak's Corvette. The Agency states that its counterjaywalking officials chose Bono and asked Moon (Littletree) Bono to contact him. "I will not discuss any matters regarding my wife", said Bono, when I interviewed him, "Particularly when I am splayed across the hood of your car."

During the run-up to the 18th and K intercept (near the offices where he served), Bono had made oral reports to friends that "accidents are not that likely", and that "you are more likely to be injured slipping in the shower than crossing the street; after all, in the street, there are traffic signals." Notably, Bono's oral statements did not include mention of the possibility of pedestrians voluntarily launching themselves onto moving automobiles. The report of the Agency's interview with Bono remains classified.

After Novak stated that "He's not dead, that's the main thing," Bono declined any further interviews. "The story was never me," said Bono, "it was always the guy who drove directly into a 66-year old man crossing at a walk signal, who flew across his windshield, and then driving away, until repeatedly stopped by witnesses." The story, actually, is whether a covert jaywalking inducement policy, launched by an Agency operative, and executed by the spouse of that operative, should remain covert. I, for one, say no--in the Agency's, the streets' and the public interest.

Cite:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/07/mission-to-18th-and-k.html

The devil wears Prada!

mcc99 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:24:22 GMT

Re "Don't Come in My Ear!": Laura Ingraham on Fox video:

Wonderful! God, she's perfect! Seriously, wouldn't you want to work for her? She's the limit! A huge pain in the a$$, but always something to talk about after work. Notice she doesn't raise her voice and her requests and criticisms focus not on the person in question but the environment. That is much better than some other prima donnas.

I'd work for her, provided she paid me enough. She'd be endlessly entertaining.

serena & venus

the_word — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:19:33 GMT

i am not a JW. i never believed in voting, when i was 18 years of age i was drafted into the armed force. i feel as thought my rights as a human being were and is violated. and i learned from that. man has control on our lives, and there is nothing that no body can do until God comes back.the truth is no matter who is in office, the way that the world system is made up, can nerver nerver be straighten out. now that is just plan and simple.

cell phone popcorn

blharsch — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:40:57 GMT

Please take this down or explain that it is a hoax. For too many reasons to go into here, there is absolutely no way phones can pop corn. Phones work on radio waves, which are always present in the air, regardless of whether the phone is ringing or not. This has already been debunked on both Snopes and Gawker. It is irresponsible of Slate to perpetuate this myth and cause people to fear cell phones for no reason.

A hasty decision can hurt the Nation

Justin Dele Ajayi — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:33:51 GMT

Hearing Harreit Christian express her anger and rage the way she did on camera exemplifies the prejudice and intolerance which still lingers in the minds of some older generation Citizens of this great Country.It is people like this who make Hillary look bad.Senator Obama's Victory is victory for America,it is victory for Democracy. America will show the World that giant strides have been made in terms of Racial Equality and Equal Opportunity in the land of the Worlds greatest Democracy. I want to say thaT Harriet and people like her are the once throwing the opportunty away by voting for something other than ideas and policies.Is it better for our soldiers to continue to die daily in Iraq ?or for gas prices to continue rising daily ?or for America to make a change for the better?.The Politics of today is no longer about race or gender,that threshhold has been crossed by Senator Obama and Sen Hillary Clinton.The important thing is to come together as Americans to find solutions to our domestic problem;The rising cost of everything,Death of our young men and women in the military and the turning around of our economy.THESE ARE THE CRUCIAL ISSUES THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED WITH .This is why Harriet's prediction will never come to pass.America is better of with Democrats in power even the Republicans know it.Ask them ,if they want to be honest ,they will admit it.

Hellary

steveballmer — Sat, 31 May 2008 04:51:50 GMT

Given all of the things throughout history which have happened in June, Hellary mentions the assassination of Bobby Kennedy? An unusually close parallel to Obama or wishful thinking or maybe instructions to the wack job racist out there?

"You guys aren't doing your job!"
That's what I hear Hellary saying!
Maybe that's just me, .... we will find out at Barak's wake.

Please, please post new link to Olbermann video!

cakeordeath — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:34:25 GMT

Dying to see it.

Die already!

mlr — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:49:45 GMT

You'd think the humorously challenged creators of Funny or Die would be dead by now. What are they, zombies?

What is the Article for this link?

Zahid — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:37:44 GMT

I just stumbled in. I was wondering what the tpoic is.

Permanent Links?

Jenniferwhatnot — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:37:58 GMT

Love this feature on Slate, but can you put permanent links on individual items so I can share them with my friends without all the "scroll scroll" directions? Thanks! (I especially liked Beef N Go).

AM I BEING DETAINED?

pace pace — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:51:57 GMT

Well, he is in his rights.

BUT:

All the more reason to try appearing less humorless and antagonizing.

Gives us rights lovers a bad reputation when rudeness and agressive, repetative, angry confrontation is all we appear to be after .

Was this an International Border Fronteer?

re: Keith Olbermann Rips Hillary

tvdrpr — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:22:17 GMT

since youtube clearly removed this one, does anyone know of a place I can actually see what Mr. Olbermann has to say? You would think people who were about news and information wouldn't mind it being easily accessed...

Attack the Messenger

unbent-unbroken — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:45:07 GMT

I can't think of a better example of the strategy og attacking the messenger when you can't attack the message. Of course those were inane things for Ben Stein to say. Of course, science doesn't kill people. But that's not what this attack was really about, is it.

No, this is attacking Expelled by attacking Ben Stein. I have read quite a bit of the scientific community dissing this movie and yet have yet to find a single case where they address the central point of the movie - specifically, why does teh scientific community treat Darwinism like religious dogma that cannot be questioned or challenged? Why are members of the scientific community punished for even questioning Darwinism? Perhaps thoe who question are wasting their time. But why is *this* particular potentially wasted effort scorned while others are not?

The scientific community getting in such a tizzy over this movie calls to mind that famous line of Shakespeare's "Methinks though doest protest too much." But more importantly, they protest too poorly. Address the issue the movie raises, rather than resorting to cheap character assassinations (unless, of course, they are looking for a gig as the next Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reily).

It is the height of hypocrisy when the scientific community lauds atheist like Richard Dawkins who try to leverage their scientific credentials to convince others there is no God, but ridicules non-atheists who try to find signs of intelligent design in the natural world.

homeless james bond

alaxhall — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:26:02 GMT

that video is mean.

Stein is right!

steveballmer — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:48:40 GMT

You people may not want to believe it but, people who believe in God are better people!

http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com