If there remained any doubt about just how scrumtralescent mothers are I think this story should erase it:Bear crashes hockey game, mom saves kidsEspn.comFiled as: Moms

Mark over at Zenpundit draws attention to an interesting post which discusses the contents of captured al Qaida documents revealing that they provide members with a substantial benefits package. It would appear that, like most other things in life, idealist zeal must always be balanced with practical concerns.Filed as: Al Qaida

We haven't had cable for over a year. I get my news almost exclusively from my.yahoo subscriptions to wire reports; most of these concern regions outside of the United States.I notice, however, that Rodger posted earlier on Horowitz's blacklist. I've read some of Michael Berubé's ongoing mockery of Horowtiz. Of the man himself, I once wrote::My take on David Horowitz has been pretty consistent throughout the years: he may have changed his...

Holy smokes!Via the comment thread attached to Rob's brilliant rejoinder to my "Second Civil War" challenge I find: a little corner of history-geek heaven. Thanks D! Go. Now. Read. Bask in alternative history goodness.Filed as: alternative history

Marxist turned right-winger David Horowitz's latest book is The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America (Regnery Publishing Inc.). I'm not going to link to that book, but I will refer readers to a complete list of the professors, unadorned with Horowitz's text, that was posted on the lbo-talk listserv (that's Left Business Observer).I tip my hat (or duck bill, whatever seems appropriate) to Chris at Explananda), for noting that...

Which science-fiction show crew would I be on?You scored as Moya (Farscape). You are surrounded by muppets. But that is okay because they are your friends and have shown many times that they can be trusted. Now if only you could stop being bothered about wormholes.(Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in?created with QuizFarm.com)My wife, oddly enough, scored the crew of the Bebop. That doesn't bode well...Via...

Robert Farley points to an insanely stupid scenario for a second Civil War, one that may make it onto network television:pocalyptic Scenario #3: American Civil War - Part Deux!"A House Divided" - Network: ABCWriter: Andrew David ChapmanOdds You'll Be Seeing it in the Fall: I'll put this one at 30%.In the near-future, the unthinkable has happened. A Liberal President is back in power. How liberal? Well, he's raised taxes to the point where...

[Updated 2-14]Vice-President Cheney does his best to provide a metaphor for the critics. Folks, you really can't make this stuff up.Those unsypathetic to the administration are likely to have a field day with this one. It appears that Cheney is once again blaming someone else for his mistakes and excesses.In all seriousness, best wishes for a speedy recovery for Cheney's 'target', Harry Whittington (that had to hurt).Update: The Daily Show got...

Anyone who reads my posts by now knows that I have an acute interest in the effect that information, uncertainty, and signaling plays in politics and social life. One thing that becomes immediately clear to anyone who looks into those topics is that, at least in the realm of international politics, reliable information is difficult to find. Reliable signals (or, in Robert Jervis' words, indices--signals that are reliable because they are...

I'm a couple of days late, but please allow me to followup Bill's post about the King funeral controversy and the excellent discussion in the comment thread. I did some data-mining of whitehouse.gov and found President Bush's eulogy of Ronald Reagan, at the National Cathedral on June 11, 2004. Notice any self-serving political rhetoric here? The clarity and intensity of Ronald Reagan's convictions led to speaking engagements around the country,...

Greatest...face...ever...I know my last few posts haven't been that 'analytical' or IR related, but there have been too many jovial opportunities to pass up lately. Which brings me to Coretta Scott King's funeral...The event was attended by numerous dignitaries included President Bush and his wife Laura. The man speaking in the picture above is the Rev. Joseph Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Martin Luther...

[Updated 2/8]Exhibit A: This exchange between Attorney General Gonzales and Sen. Biden from today's hearings on NSA domestic wiretapping (hat tip Atrios):BIDEN: Thank you very much. General, how has this revelation damaged the program?I'm almost confused by it but, I mean, it seems to presuppose that these very sophisticated Al Qaida folks didn't think we were intercepting their phone calls.I mean, I'm a little confused. How did it damage...