Pat Robertson, Man of Iron

It's hard to ignore Pat Robertson's kookiness, even when you're vacationing in Sicily.

This time, he's claiming he can leg press 2,000 lbs thanks to his miracle health shake.

p.s. Sicily is beautiful, but their driving resembles a real life version of Grand Theft Auto without as much shooting.

On a Personal Note...

After a brief rainstorm, the sun is beautifully setting over the Hudson on this, my last night of work during my first year at law school.

I am really tired, really glad I decided to pursue this career, and really ready for a summer break from classes.

2006 CEI "Energy" Commercial = 1964 LBJ "Daisy" Commercial

So a Big Oil astroturfing group has started a CO₂ is Great promotional campaign.

Colin (who has an absolutely amazing eye for cross-cultural similarity) notes that one of the commercials is just a rehashing of LBJ's famous "Daisy" commercial for the 1964 Presidential Election.



Unfortunately, though, it's the inverse of the "Daisy" commercial. Rather than spook us into action, the goal of the commercial is to lull you into complacency.

Pat Robertson Kookwatch: Episode 6

As I've said time and again, Pat Robertson's going to say something kooky to get in the news roughly every 50 days.

This time, he's claiming "If I heard the Lord right about 2006, the coasts of America will be lashed by storms," possibly even a tsunami.

66 days ago, it was satanic radical Muslims.
137 days ago, it was divine anger at Israel.
188 days ago, it was divine anger at Dover, PA.
220 days ago, the 2^nd coming appeared en route.
268 days ago, he called for the assassination of Hugo Chavez.

I wonder if he sets a reminder in Microsoft Outlook to say something crazy, or if his reliability is just innate.

They Should Have urbandictionary.com Blocked on All the White House Computers By Now

Seriously, at this point our tongue-tied President is just messing with us.

Bush stoked to meet Olympic 'dudes and dudesses'

I'm Glad I'm Not the Only One Who Finds Constitutional Law Challenging

(Crossposted from the American Constitution Society :: Columbia Law School)

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services flashcards designed to help applicants study for US citizenship exam omit the freedom of the press.


The full(ish) set can be downloaded here (.pdf link).

When Your Head is in the Sand, No One is Complaining

It seems like Laura Bush doubts all the recent polls that show her husband's approval/disapproval numbers approaching Nixonian levels.

Laura claims, "I travel around the country. I see people, I see their responses to my husband. I see their response to me. As I travel around the United States, I see a lot of appreciation for him. A lot of people come up to me and say, 'Stay the course'."

Now we see how the tail wags the dog.

It's funny how someone who is utterly shielded from anything resembling dissent might (mis)underestimate the amount of frustration in this country.

As with her husband's handling of pre-war intelligence regarding Iraq — during which time the White House systematically disregarded any evidence that contrasted with its we-must-invade worldview — Mrs. Bush seems to think that denial is the ideal response when faced with information or a situation that you dislike.

Sadly, America's problems during what remains of this administration will likely be far too grave for denial to grant us any measure of consolation.

Sometimes on the Subway, I'm Just Glad Nobody Steals My Trash

Spotted on the subway:

Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands:
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.

Iago, Othello 3:3

Down the Stretch They Come!

With Bush's approval rating dipping to 31% in the most recent Gallup Poll (by my lights, one of the polls whose methodology results in general Bush friendliness), Tom Tomorrow asks the important question: Who will win in this race between Bush & Nixon?

Just to Analogize on President Bush's Comments...

This is like me saying that my worst moments in law school were those spirit-crushing times when I felt like I was the only person who didn't understand some key concept.

...and that the best moment during my 1^st year of law school was this totally awesome sandwich that I had for lunch on February 10^th. I mean, you had to be there. It was just great.

Bush's Best Moment in Office?: Catching a fish

Update (5/8): rubber hose contrasts Bush's asserted best moments with the Carter's and Clinton's answers to the same question. Daily Kos notes that Bush either grossly exaggerated the size of the fish or smashed the world record for size of perch caught.

This is What Happens When the Product Marketing Department Wins

Lately, I've been in adjective lock in the worst way.

What's adjective lock? You know how you go through those uncreative moods where you use the same adjective over and over? Well, lately I've been trotting out ridiculous far too often.

Andy, how was your Constitutional Law exam?
Totally ridiculous.

Hey man, do you have good notes on Eminent Domain? I need to get notes from somebody.
Sorry, mine are ridiculous.

How's the weather been out there?
It's been ridiculous.

I desperately needed something to break me out of this adjective funk, and thankfully, the perfect thing just arrived. It's the online advertisement for the Philips Bodygroom personal shaver.

...and it's completely ludicrous.

Einstein Would Be So Happy & Proud

Bush has decided to stop referring to current US military operations as the War on Tara, instead opting for the moniker World War III.

Oh, yeah. That's much better.

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.

Albert Einstein, in a letter to President Harry S. Truman