Kunstler: The Jive Economy
They are our future, these yeast people and mudskippers, because the intelligent minority of this nation lacks the one thing that animates intelligence in the service of reality, and that is the courage to tell the truth. I suppose this is what galls so many former Obama boosters: that the “hope” vested in him would be enacted in truth-telling, which would lead to “change” in the choices we make about doing things. What we ended up with seems to be something like a false champion with a good line of talk.
He’s more right than I almost feel comfortable admitting.
Picture of the day
There was something else going on tonight too, right?
Seriously, though. Masterful speaking performances on all fronts today.
Full disclosure: I’m guessing on the second speech, since I only read the transcript. But considering that the last State of the Union was delivered by a baboon’s ass, it shouldn’t be hard to top.
Justices Overturn Key Campaign Limits
On the decision: “The dissenters said allowing corporate money to flood the political marketplace will corrupt democracy.” We’ve long since passed that milestone. Personally, I am finding that national politics is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Local activism is where it’s at.
Why We Need Government-Run Universal Socialized Health Insurance
A well-done cartoon explaining why government-run health insurance is a good idea.
Roger Ebert: I'm safe on board. Pull up the life rope.
Forget movie reviews. Ebert is one of the best living writers of the persuasive essay, period.
"Omnivore's Dilemma" Author Michael Pollan's New Advice on Buying Food: "Don't Buy Any Food You've Ever Seen Advertised"
Not a bad piece of advice. Pollan’s insights on our country’s twin problems of food production and consumption are spot-on.
Can a bunch of mathematicians make government more representative?
Rotten politics, maps, and algorithms. A good read.
Words unminced
Kunstler on McCain’s campaign tactics:
He’s run a campaign of malicious innuendo and slander, seemingly aimed at voters who would have trouble qualifying for the Special Olympics.
Ouch.
May the best man win.
Energy Debate Fact Check #2 - Is Energy Independence Good For the Nation?
If we want real “energy independence,” perhaps we should look to curtailing the construction of car-dependent suburbs, encouraging redevelopment of urban centers and small towns, and building a world-class passenger rail network. All the domestic drilling and electric cars in the world won’t help if we don’t realize that our current level of energy consumption, regardless of source, is unsustainable in the long run.
