Bad essay. Good comment.

This essay on Alternet is essentially a call to act stupid. It’s a dumb idea (filed under “things that want to be contrarian but are just backwards”).
This comment, found on the same page (I couldn’t find a direct link to the comment), is a much smarter idea, politically speaking:
It would be much more useful [...]

Rush Limbaugh will destroy you!

This is a bit strange. Oh, and it’s got some pretty strong language.

I’m not sure this is something to be proud of…

I am astounded at the fact that Merkley and his supporters are trumpeting the change to payday loan laws when the result is still a 35% interest rate.
Does anyone else think that’s insane? Who would be proud of that?
How low is the standard here?

Parkour

There’s also a movie in the making based on Parkour.
I like Parkour. I also happen to think it’ll make a terrible film.
Info on Parkour here.
I once told a HS student he should take it up. I’m pretty sure he thought I was insane.

The Stanford Prison Experiment

Apparently it’s being made into a movie.

Patronage, Bush-style

Jeebus.
And anyone who’s thinking that “but Democrats do it too” is some kind of defense or otherwise in any way excuses this, please stop. I’m not interested in defending ANYONE who pulls shit like that. It’s incredibly immoral no matter who does it.
To put it another way: The federal government decided that [...]

David Simon the slow decline of newspapers

This is a good great essay:
And now, with about twenty-five inches filed and sent to the state desk, I have come to rest, waiting while editors in the four o’clock shape the next day’s local front. I am sweating profusely, unsure what to do with my hands, my face, my soul. A Styrofoam cup of [...]

"I can’t believe all these clubs for Buddhists."

Via F-Words, one of the most fucked-up videos I’ve seen of police beating protesters in a long time. Maybe forever.
For the first time ever, I had to stop watching a video of a police intervention into a protest.

Words of wisdom from Keith Richards

The interview’s long, and I found a lot of it kind of boring (but I don’t know much about the Stones). However, his answer to this question was pretty good:
What’s the key to a good marriage?
Depends on the woman. Given that, I think children. I mean, outside of getting enormously successful…to watch the kids [...]

[LCSD] Board policies related to residency

These are partial quotes of relevant sections. Click the links for the full texts.
BBBA:
Individuals eligible for Board positions must reside in the appropriate zone unless as otherwise permitted by law.
BBD:
The Board shall declare the office of a director vacant upon any of the following:
2. When an incumbent ceases to be a resident of the [...]

It could have been anyone in Corvallis…

I tutored the former baseball player mentioned in this story for a term – he was taking a philosophy class.
Nice guy. Worked hard. Had an absolutely disgusting chewing habit (he would dribble it over his lower lip into an empty 20-oz soda bottle), but it was an overall pleasant experience for me.
That said, [...]

4,000

Here.

From the "credit where credit is due" files

Hering writes a very, very positive editorial of Obama’s visit to Oregon:
The thing about Barack Obama is that he can give a speech. No doubt it is not the only quality he has, but it’s enough to justify his claim that he represents change.
Bill Clinton has the same ability. The former president can stand in [...]

Better late than never

The Daily Emerald has a pretty good story on Obama’s visit to Eugene – including the entire speech in downloadable .mov format.
Also check out the multimedia show. It’s pretty good… maybe someone at the managerial level for the local “professional” newspapers could take notice and start joining college papers in the 21st century?

Onward to the 18th Century!

I want to know what this means:
Although the Bush administration objected to the ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the president wrote a memorandum ordering the state courts to comply.
He said the ICJ’s decision must be carried out because the US had agreed to abide by the court’s rulings in such cases.
Supreme Court [...]