Credit where it’s due

By lex, on August 28, 2008

 

It’s easy for many of us to stand apart the better to fleer and scorn at the  solemnities of Democratic Party as Barack Obama accepts the burden of their standard in the presidential race. It’s too easy for us to get caught up in the rough and tumble of the tactical moment. But we should stop for a moment and consider: History is being made. American history. Our history.

One of our two major political parties has managed – against considerable odds – to select an African-American to plausibly run as a candidate for our nation’s highest political office. He won in the face of an internal struggle as brutal and winnowing as anything the world has seen since the Borgias contested for the crown of Italy. He won against an aggressive contestant for the nomination that had name recognition, a popular brand, the backing of a generation of partisans and an air of impervious inevitability. He won against a very real legacy of racism to which some among his party constituents were by no means immune.

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Tribalism

By lex, on August 5th, 2011

Courtesy of occasional reader Zane, a blog essay on why European tribalism faded, while the Oriental variety did not.

Church law against consanguinity, it is proposed.

The comments are good reading as well.

 

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Toy Truck

By lex, on August 5th, 2011

A hobbyist provided a toy truck with a wireless video camera to Staff Sergeant Chris Fessenden, a veteran of multiple tours forward. Fessenden credits the truck with saving six American lives:

Not Our Class, Dear

By lex, on August 5th, 2011

A Royal Navy submarine officer has been dismissed the service and sentenced to six months in jail for fraudulently collecting benefits:

So, now it’s news?

Posted by Lex, on August 8, 2008

 

Well, John Edward’s sordid little tale can apparently now be told by the mainstream media, now that hizzoner has opened up and admitted to the truth of the basic allegation. While continuing to deny parentage of his so-called “love child” with a former campaign worker.

The story – first exposed by the National Enquirer in late July- was deemed not newsworthy by most of the major media outlets until today, whether for its suspiciously middlebrow provenance or simply for the pain it might inflict on Edwards’ long suffering, cancer-stricken wife. Although that second rationale seems rather self-serving: The gentlemen of the press are more considerate of the former presidential candidate’s wife than the gentleman himself. And this despite the fact that Edwards remained a contender for a cabinet post, if not the actual VP nomination, at least until this story that no one would talk about broke. I mean, there were actual pictures.

Celebrating the Season

Posted by lex, on August 6th, 2011

In Malaysia – national motto: “Unity is strength” – a television channel is under fire for airing a public service announcement telling non-Muslims how to act during the holy month of Ramadan. Short version: Keep your mouth shut, your hands off and cover up.

In Indonesia, the locals have taken the “under fire” metaphor it a step further:

A mob of a hundred people attacked and set fire to two Protestant house churches in Logas Tanah Darat, in the Regency of Kuantan, Riau Province (Sumatra). The incident occurred August 1, coinciding with the start of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and prayer for Muslims, but the news was broadcast by a radio station in Jakarta only late yesterday afternoon. The new attack against the Christian minority, according to some experts, is also a consequence of the “soft” sentences recently imposed by courts against extremists and Islamic leaders in Indonesia.

Ramadan, according to Wikipedia, is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God.

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The Doorbell

Posted by lex, on August 8th, 2011

 

Shamelessly lifted from Maggie’s Farm.

 

 

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