Humanity had an okay run.

A mere week or so ago another oil rig went splodey in the Gulf.  To almost any sane person that would be a warning sign that maybe, just maybe, we might be barking up the wrong tree energy-wise.  After all it’s not as though Deepwater-Horizon was exactly anamolous; in the past few years we’ve had rigs go all Michael Bay on us in the Gulf, in Cape Cod, in our lakes, and in the Gulf again.  What is the response?  No contrition, no proactive steps, nothing.  Merely a childish and borderline pathological passing of the buck.  As for the administration — one would think this would be the catalyst for a sweeping overhaul of emergy policy with windfarms, water turbines and solar panels stretching far and wide.  One would also apparently be giving far too much credit to our ability to learn from mistakes.  So where do we go from here?

Thoughts on Ken Mehlman

In light of my very hotheaded reaction to Mehlman coming out, I figured maybe a more detailed contextualization might be warranted.  Particularly because if anyone should understand the likely pain involved regarding living in the closet, it should be a member of the LGBT community.

Yes, I am cheesily posting an “open letter” to a public official.

What of it?  My blog, my business.  Anyway, I know I haven’t posted anything political in a very long time (graduate school has monopolized my days) but this is something about which I feel rather strongly.  As anyone who has talked to me about the issue knows.  Oh hey — did you know that they’re building a mosque Islamic community/cultural center at somewhat close to Ground Zero?

Massachusetts grinds to a halt as EMK is mourned, scorned

I have to be honest.  I didn’t know that Senator Kennedy had succumbed to brain cancer until I walked by a newspaper machine at about ten in the morning yesterday.  I don’t think I’ve ever felt quite so out of touch.  Since jzuk (resident obituary writer) hasn’t penned anything about Kennedy’s death — justifiably, since he’s fielded pretty much every other notable personage who has passed this year — I’ll go ahead and type a few words.

but the health care protests have nothing whatsoever to do with race

Glenn Beck is frothing at the mouth, resurrecting the spectre of Jeremiah Wright.  The birther movement has ramped up its efforts to prove that Obama wasn’t just born in a pre-state Hawaiian protectorate, but rather in Kenya.  Still, the health care protests aren’t about race.  Merely about health care.

CNN can finally retire “Latina Justice” infographic

Yesterday (6 August) Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed in a 68-31 vote as the 111th Supreme Court Justice.  She will be sworn in tomorrow (8 August) by Chief Justice Roberts.  Guess which side of the aisle voted unanimously to confirm, and which side largely opposed her (with only nine exceptions).

So when does Hillary meet up with Robert Redford?

Today marks the start of SoS Clinton’s 11 day, seven nation diplomatic trip to the African continent.  This visit is record-breaking in a number of ways; it’s her biggest trip since becoming chief diplomat, it covers issues running the gamut from economics to sex and gender, and it’s the earliest trip to Africa by any sitting Secretary of State.

John McCain Determined to Tilt at yet another Windmill

On 3 August 2009 John McCain, who you might remember as “this one,” made it known that he will oppose Sotomayor’s confirmation.  While he acknowledges that the judge’s life story is “compelling,” it is evidently outweighed by the fact that she is a (say it with me) judicial activist.  The full text of McCain’s statement can be read here.

Lady Gaga as Rand Heroine

First of all, it’s great to be back.  Many tips o’ the nib to jzuk and scrahan for picking up my slack while I recuperated from TB and scads of dental work.  That said, back to the grind!

Amidst the mad flurry of hearings – Supreme Court confirmation, health care bill, and otherwise — it’s sometimes difficult to remember what’s really important; pop-friendly neo-burlesque electronica!  Or conservative parodies thereof.

Oh yeah — the military doesn’t give a c**p either.

Faithful (and brilliant) co-admin scrahan posted this comment in response to my article on the DADT-foot dragging.  It’s a very good point, and one I failed to address yesterday. 

Tomate, I think I can make a stab at the (presumably rhetorical) question you posed at the end of this, “Why drag feet on DADT, when the majority of American’s accept the idea of openly gay servicemen and women?” In this case, it’s not whether the majority of American’s are comfortable with it; the question is, are the majority of military, or likely military personnel comfortable.

 I don’t have those numbers, but the conventional thinking (trans. pulling this from my ass and/or heard some homeless guy ranting about it on the sidewalk) is that those are the people who feel strongly about this issue, and would be offended to serve with openly gay servicemen. Is it a good argument? No, soldiers didn’t like blacks or women serving, and both are now integral (if not always, in the case of women, well-integrated. The DOD’s recent study on rape in the military is a pretty harrowing read) members of the military.

 But at least it is an argument, one I would love to see you shred to pieces. At your convenience, my good sir.

Gladly, my good sir.  Gladly.