One State, Two States, Red States, Blue States

Sibilous led me to Fundrace.org's Map of the Fundraising US. This map shows how various areas of the US send their dollars to Republicans and Democrats for this year's Presidential election. A surprise: Whereas northern cities like Boston, New York, & Chicago are bastions of Democratic economic support, Cincinnati's dollars lean the furthest Republican -- outpacing Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta.

The map serves as a great reminder to Democrats of just how effective the Republican party is at fundraising.

One of the creepier features of Fundrace.org is Neighbor Search, a tool you can use to get names, addresses, occupations, and donation amounts for people living in a particular geography. In short, it takes information that your neighbors may have thought to be private, and airs it out for all to see.

Lessig on Kerry

I'd like to see Kerry taking campaign advice from Lawrence Lessig.

Because Manhattan Needs More Buildings

Not that I root for any New York sports teams, but as a future New Yorker, I'm excited the NY Jets are ready to build a stadium in Manhattan.

Mars Water = Free Shrimp @ Long John Silvers

For those of you who were broken hearted in 2001 when Mir missed Taco Bell's Free Taco for Everyone in America target, mark May 10 on your calendar, setting aside some time between 2 - 5 pm.

This brief window is when Long John Silver's will make good on the promise it made in January to reward its customers with a free giant shrimp if conclusive evidence of water was found on Mars.

These Cool Days

I'm thrilled to see my friends at Isotope Records flexing their impresario muscles.

Wednesdays @ Ruby Skye are now dedicated to Soul Search'n, an Isotope showcase featuring The Supplicants.

A Break with Tradition

Generally, I only blog news tidbits when I feel like I can connect the dots -- juxtaposing something online and current with supporting pieces of information.

Rarely is a piece of news so interesting, so compelling, that I simply say, "Look at this," and link to the article sans comment.

Well... Look at this:

Richard Simmons cited for slapping man

No Classes on Evolution at St. Regis or As If There Weren't Enough Tests

While the Georgia Department of Education was considering replacing evolution with non-science, 11 of its teachers were out getting fake master's and doctor's degrees from St. Regis University.

The whole Georgia evolution flap reminds me of those who attack gay marriage because it damages marriage as an institution. Just as Georgians would wise to target rural poverty, instead of evolution, as a principal threat to their educational system, gay marriage critics' argument that they're combatting gay marriage to fight a threat to a social institution just doesn't carry water.

Even if I agreed with these critics, I'd say that rampant divorce, reality-TV show marriages, and Vegas weddings are a greater threat to socially sanctioned monogamy than two people who love each other but have slightly incompatible bedroom equipment. Why aren't protesters queuing up outside the Chapel of Love?

If gay marriage critics were focused on the real culprits harming marriage, they'd echo Andy Rooney -- who wishes it was harder to get married.

A Lucky Horseshoe for Haru-urara

Just glance at the heartless URL that CNN chose for this story about Haru-urara, a loveably losing racehorse in Japan.

The writer beats around the bush at the end of the story, avoiding direct mention of the fate awating other unsuccessful thoroughbreds; moreover, the writer doesn't point out that unfortunate Japanese horses face a danger unknown to their American peers.

Confident and Counterfactual

Knowing how partisan I can be, I'm always a little leery whenever I see only slivers in the eye of the GOP. I generally anticipate that a future version of me will be level-headed enough to self-critique my partisan rhetoric of the moment.

This time around, I simply do not think that a future me will consider 2004 criticism of Bush/Rove's campaign as an overreaction.

As the general election campaign rolls into action, I'm already fed up with the half-truths emanating from the White House. The Bush Administration's selective presentation of the facts constitute attacks of a thoroughly manipulative and doggedly political nature. I agree with Tom Daschle, that the attacks the White House has launched on Valerie Plame, Paul O'Neill, and now, Richard Clarke constitute an "abuse of power."

As the campaigns battle for the hearts and minds of the 15% swing populace, I anticipate that the Bush Administration's selective telling of the truth will only grow more conspicuous.

Today's highlight:
Reuter's takes issue with Bush's claim that Kerry's proposed elimination of tax breaks for individuals making more than $200K is really an attack on small business. (Whenever a news wire needs to take that strong an editorial stance, you know they're trying to undo some serious spin.)

A World of Few Words

To President Bush, gay marriage and assassinations in the Middle East are both deeply troubling.

Let's see... Which is more troubling to you -- two people who love each other or thousands of agitated Palestinians?