Month: November 2011

Athenae, Immoral Values, Terrorism8 Comments

Failures of Leadership

I don’t like generational sniping. First of all, there’s no contest to win Greatest Generation, pace Tom Brokaw. Second, I think it obscures complexity and makes it easier for us to fetishize the good old days while dismissing the contributions of the young (and thereby letting the young off the hook in the process), butthere’s something in this otherwise messy piece that I’ve talked about a lot: We looked to Washington to lead us after September 11th. I remember telling my college roommates, in a spate of emotion, that I was thinking of enlisting in the military in the days … Continue reading Failures of Leadership

Doc, Sports7 Comments

Joe

Since this appears to be the week to discuss sports and second-guess people, I figured I’d weigh in. No, not on the Penn State thing; that’s been beaten to death and will continue to be. Hey, don’t get me wrong:Raging against a pedophile and those who were within five miles of him is easy. Very few people are going to disagree with you. (In a Twitter jihad, one person I follow noted that Joe Paterno should be in prison. When someone else had the temerity to ask why, the “How could you defend Paterno? What if it was your kid?” … Continue reading Joe

Adrastos, Diary2 Comments

NOLA Notes: 11/11/11 Edition

Peter Adrastos Athas

First of all, Happy Veterans Day. I decided to skip the malaka of the week post in honor of our Vets. Additionally, there was so much malakatude this week that my head was spinning like Tommy T’s when he reads the freepers. I’d also like to give a shout out to a NOLA blogger whose blog name I have borrowed:NOLA Notes. Check it out, she’s a good writer as well as avery amusing presence on the tweeter tube. Okey doke, it’s time for some random and discursive NOLA Notes: Get Me To The Quarter On Time: Myartist/lapsed lawyer friend Jerry … Continue reading NOLA Notes: 11/11/11 Edition

Current Affairs, Jude8 Comments

It’s Veterans Day

Nope. No freedom being defended here. Reposting this from Memorial Day with minor edits. So it’s Veterans Day, which means that the US is awash with mostly obligatory tributes to military personnel. I hate this shit. I didn’t fight for your freedoms. In the six years I was in, I never once defended your right to vote, or to carry a gun, or to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure (that one doesn’t really apply anymore, anyway), or any of the other things you enjoy as a citizen of this country. I just didn’t. Neither did anyone who went … Continue reading It’s Veterans Day

Athenae, Immoral Values, Sports6 Comments

Rioting Kids are Only Part of the Problem

From the Penn State Daily Collegian, which did outstanding journalism all week: If anything, it is clear from the allegations that the university’s investigation was not handled properly. Curley and Schultz brought their course of action to Graham Spanier in 2002 — and he signed off on it. Their action plan? Sandusky was not allowed to bring any more children from his charity, The Second Mile — which works with at-risk children — on campus. This was not enough. Penn State’s reaction to these allegations would suggest that the university didn’t mind what Sandusky did, so long as it wasn’t … Continue reading Rioting Kids are Only Part of the Problem

Adrastos, Political Crack, Stupid Republican Tricks16 Comments

Quote of the day: Hoaxidate redux

Peter Adrastos Athas

As much as I hate to pile on, I don’t think I’ll have the Hoaxdiate to kick around much longer. So, here’s Herman Cain on Herman Cain and what people have said about Herman Cain: “For every one person that comes forward with a false accusation, there are probably thousands who will say that none of that sort of activity ever came from Herman Cain.” Continue reading Quote of the day: Hoaxidate redux

Adrastos, Political Crack, Stupid Republican Tricks8 Comments

The oops heard round the world

Peter Adrastos Athas

I haven’t decided ifRick Perry is the worst Presidential candidate since his fellow Texan Phil Gramm or if he’s just the worst debater ever. I have decided, however, that he’s dumber than former President Beavis: the latter could at least remember his own talking points. http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1 The pre-election GOP farce has been very entertaining but it’s time for them to do what they always do: nominate the guy who came in second the last time. They may not love Mitt Haircut but he’s going to be their standard bearer. I will, of course, miss Cain and Perry and the other … Continue reading The oops heard round the world

Michael F5 Comments

Feed theChildren Congresscritter

FromAlbum4 “Gimme More.” Because for just a few dollars a day — up to $2500 for individuals, $5000 for couples…and no limits for corporations and superpacs — you can help Joe Walsh retain his seat…and with $150K in salary and per diems, maybe he’ll be able toafford a muffin, a cinnabon, or just a plate of freedom fries with ketchup…especially since he stiffs his ex and kids on support payments. Call now. For Joe’s sake. Continue reading Feed theChildren Congresscritter

Athenae, Immoral Values, Sports14 Comments

Whose Tragedy #PennState Is

What is happening at Penn State is not a tragedy for Penn State. It’s not a tragedy for Joe Paterno, or Graham Spanier, or any one of a thousand students whose school just became a national punch line. It’s not a tragedy for alumni who will have to answer questions for a week or two from prurient and stupid work colleagues. It’s not a tragedy for football fans, or for student athletes. This is a tragedy for the children raped by Jerry Sandusky, and that is IT. I am just about done hearing everybody describe this as a terrible situation … Continue reading Whose Tragedy #PennState Is

Adrastos, Current Affairs, Political Crack1 Comment

Say it ain’t so, Silvio

Peter Adrastos Athas

The news aboutSilvio Berlusconi’s impending resignation caused some concern among my friends and colleagues. Jude and several others asked how I was going to cope. I *will* suffer, but never in silence, because of the loss of the world’s funniest leader. As much as I hate to admit it, it will be a good day for Italy and EU when Silvio finally goes but satirists around the globe will fly their flags at half staff. Now where the hell did I put that black armband? The good news is that Silvio is already angling to stay on as a caretaker/interim … Continue reading Say it ain’t so, Silvio

VirgoTex6 Comments

Idiots of America, unite!

Want to just riff a bit on A’s excellentHow, Exactly Would We Know This? post from yesterday, as well as some of the comments, because I believe it’s a critical conversation, central to our very own little First Draft neighborhood and the larger community, our shared net-rooty identity, to the extent we have just one. Here’s the deal. We are all, every one of us, the Idiots of America. This idea that we on the left, and the people we elect to represent us, are in the position to serve as some kind of missionaries to the beknighted knuckledraggers out … Continue reading Idiots of America, unite!

Athenae, Immoral Values8 Comments

What the … Just … Seriously?

Does your wife suck because she is now fat? Cheat on her! Unfortunately for many, they wake up one day to realize their partner is not recognizable to them anymore (physically, emotionally, personally…) and so while our service may “offend” some we “satisfy” millions by offering them an alternative to the monotony of monogamy. The model in the ad gives ahell of a response here, but the first commenter gets it the best: Here’s my thing, if you don’t want to fuck you wife, tell her. Leave it up to her to say “that’s cool, let’s swing” or “get the … Continue reading What the … Just … Seriously?

Adrastos, Film2 Comments

Line of the day

Peter Adrastos Athas

It comes from Andrew O’Hehir’s scathing review of the biopic J. Edgarat Salon: It’s like a combination of acting-school exercises and the History Channel, with all the production values and dramatic intensity that suggests. Hoover’s longtime deputy director and presumed lover, Clyde Tolson, is played by Armie Hammer as — how do I put this delicately? — an absolute flaming queen, who uses the term “fashion-forward” during a department-store shopping expedition set in about 1930. For just a minute there, it looks as if “J. Edgar” is about to become “Queer Eye for the FBI,” and I’m profoundly sorry it … Continue reading Line of the day

Athenae, Faith2 Comments

Tim Tebow Doesn’t Want You to Leave Tim Tebow Alone

Not only can he take it, he wants to take it: I’ll go a step further and say that, in so doing, Tebow knows full well that he is opening himself up to satire, because that is also a part of the deal evangelicals make when they dedicate themselves to converting a skeptical public. That’s why, when Clay Travisfamously asked in a press conference if Tebow was a virgin and caused so many sportswriters to flutter their lace hankies, Tebow simply smiled and answered the question. Hewants people to ask that question. He wants every opportunity to talk about his … Continue reading Tim Tebow Doesn’t Want You to Leave Tim Tebow Alone

Uncategorized7 Comments

Election Night Crack Van

I have had epic computer fail all day, or I would have told you all this was coming. Am now hijacking Mr. A’s super-sweet desktop system with two giant monitors that he SO TOTALLY ONLY USES FOR REAL WORK THINGS and getting our van on. Posts in the van belong to their posters. Be nice to the other posters, and no threats of violence of any kind. Update: Van closed with a resoundingFUCK YEAH OHIO! A. Continue reading Election Night Crack Van

Athenae, So Called Liberal Media14 Comments

How, Exactly, Would We Know This?

Far be it from me to disagree with the asskickingest writer on the political Interwebs these days (seriously, 12 times a day he writes something that makes me want to tear off my own head and eat it because what is the POINT, if I can’t do it like that?) but I think this is a little unfairto the idiots of America: And let’s assume that Kasich gets kicked around, the way it looks like he might, and the way he thoroughly deserves to be, god knows. What happens next? Is there really an actual movement building here, a parallel … Continue reading How, Exactly, Would We Know This?

Adrastos, Current Affairs, Immoral Values, Law/Justice, Political Crack9 Comments

Odds & Sods: Ick Factor Edition

Peter Adrastos Athas

It was a busy news day yesterday and many of the top stories went beyond cringeworthy into pure ickiness. –> Women who have been groped, harassed and crudely propositioned by Herman Cain are sprouting like mushrooms after a monsoon.The latest accusation is the ickiest and it goes well beyond sexual harassment into the realm of sexual assault. Cain’s hold on wingnuttia’s imagination had been ebbing for days but he still has the hardcore misogynists like Rushbo on his side. What was described by Ms. Bialek was an assault, which is an unwanted touching of any kind. I wonder if the … Continue reading Odds & Sods: Ick Factor Edition

Adrastos, Sports9 Comments

The Throwback Bowl

Peter Adrastos Athas

Was it the game of the new century? Maybe not but there was something special about the defensive struggle that ended up with LSU beating Alabama 9-6. It was not the sort of football game that people are used to in this era when the scores are high and the ball is always in the air. It was the sort of old school 3 yards and a cloud of dust game, however, that coaches such as Vince Lombardi, Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler to name but a few would have thought was grand. Two teams giving their all to bring glory … Continue reading The Throwback Bowl

Adrastos, Sports

Ron Washington Meets Al Swearingen

Peter Adrastos Athas

The reason I *tried* rooting for the Texas Rangers is that manager Ron Washington is not only from New Orleans but still lives here in the off-season. Having to stare at former President Beavis during the games ended my brief attempt at sports detente with Texas. I still really like Wash and it turns out he swears even more than Jude or Athenae: his potty mouth is of Swearingenesque proportions. Wash’s game 7 pep talk to his team is a motherfucking classic as the man himself would say. Warning, do not listen to this at work or in the presence … Continue reading Ron Washington Meets Al Swearingen

Athenae, So Called Liberal Media5 Comments

Like a Fungus

Sinclair Broadcasting, best known for beingabsolutefucksticks at a time when fuckstickery was still an art and not a routine, continues to grow, likesomething out of a horror movie: Sinclair Broadcast Group continues its buying spree with the purchase of Freedom’s eight television stations. Price Colman reports that Sinclair will own more than 60 stations, the most of any company, though that doesn’t mean it reaches more people than other companies with stations in larger markets. Freedom’s stations reach 2.63 percent of U.S. households, according to a news release announcing the deal. Regulators must approve the purchase because it would give … Continue reading Like a Fungus