Carpe Latin
If you like your news in Latin, try this Finnish website.
Monday, July 08, 2002
"The war of the memes"
Excellent post over at The Truth Laid Bear concerning the "memes" of OpposeIsrael and IslamicFascism, and our own memes of DefeatAlQaeda and OpposeTerrorism. TLB uses the science fiction concept of the meme--a computer virus that evolves and spreads to humans, eventually infecting nearly everybody. The really bad part is each meme is "bent on destroying all the other memes." Take the Palestinians:
Excellent post over at The Truth Laid Bear concerning the "memes" of OpposeIsrael and IslamicFascism, and our own memes of DefeatAlQaeda and OpposeTerrorism. TLB uses the science fiction concept of the meme--a computer virus that evolves and spreads to humans, eventually infecting nearly everybody. The really bad part is each meme is "bent on destroying all the other memes." Take the Palestinians:
"Many Palestinians, for example, have been running a meme for decades --- and yes, that means some of them have been running it their entire lives. I call it OpposeIsrael. This meme is pretty simple: it says that Israel is evil, and anything they do must be bad and must be combated; violently, if necessary."
"The problem is that OpposeIsrael crowded out other memes that Palestinians really should be running; memes that might have led --- and could still lead --- to a better life for Palestinians. OpposeIsrael is inherently negative --- it dictates that its hosts put the goal of destroying Israeli hopes above that of fulfilling Palestinian ones."
The positive memes would be things like PalestinianFreedom, ArabDemocracy, and PalestinianProsperity. There's a lot more to this analogy, and it's a fascinating way to approach the subject of how the battle of ideas plays out in the real world. Go check it out.
College students and business ethics
A recent NAS/Zogby poll raises some disturbing questions about how colleges are approaching business ethics. In the survey, most students believed that hiring a diverse workforce was more important for a business than dealing honestly with its investors and creditors. Also, an overwhelming majority reported being taught that ethics is dependent on the context and based on individual differences and cultural diversity, rather than that there are uniform standards of right and wrong which apply to everybody. Finally, most of these same students felt Enron was the rule, not an exception, and that business is the most likely avenue to succeed if you're unscrupulous. Note to universities and business schools: this is not how you develop an honest, accountable workforce consisting of workers who have integrity. Bashing business on the one hand, and preaching relativism and inculcating cynicism on the other, is not conducive to a successful and ethical marketplace.
A recent NAS/Zogby poll raises some disturbing questions about how colleges are approaching business ethics. In the survey, most students believed that hiring a diverse workforce was more important for a business than dealing honestly with its investors and creditors. Also, an overwhelming majority reported being taught that ethics is dependent on the context and based on individual differences and cultural diversity, rather than that there are uniform standards of right and wrong which apply to everybody. Finally, most of these same students felt Enron was the rule, not an exception, and that business is the most likely avenue to succeed if you're unscrupulous. Note to universities and business schools: this is not how you develop an honest, accountable workforce consisting of workers who have integrity. Bashing business on the one hand, and preaching relativism and inculcating cynicism on the other, is not conducive to a successful and ethical marketplace.
Bankrupt theophobia
The dissenting opinions in the school vouchers case reveal that the opposition to vouchers isn't so much based upon logical constitutional history and analysis, but rather blind fear of and irrational opposition to all things religious. But, the fundamental demand for justice--that lower income minority children from the inner cities have the same options to attend private or parochial schools as better-off white suburban offspring--must be addressed, and it's a battle cry that should be picked up by conservatives and Tories on both sides of the Atlantic.
The dissenting opinions in the school vouchers case reveal that the opposition to vouchers isn't so much based upon logical constitutional history and analysis, but rather blind fear of and irrational opposition to all things religious. But, the fundamental demand for justice--that lower income minority children from the inner cities have the same options to attend private or parochial schools as better-off white suburban offspring--must be addressed, and it's a battle cry that should be picked up by conservatives and Tories on both sides of the Atlantic.
Bumper sticker Christianity
I came across a joke, and it reminded me why I never put Christian bumper stickers on my car, from when I first began driving until this day. First, here's the joke:
I came across a joke, and it reminded me why I never put Christian bumper stickers on my car, from when I first began driving until this day. First, here's the joke:
"I was at a stop light, behind a car with a bumper sticker that said 'Honk if you love Jesus.'"
"So I honked. The driver leaned out his window, flipped me the bird, and yelled, 'Can't you see the light is still red, you fucking moron?'"
Of course, I don't react that way at all when cut off by or otherwise forced to deal with asshole drivers. *smirk* Still, what kind of a witness am I being if I'm speeding over the limit by 10-15mph, weaving in and out of traffic, and otherwise being impatient and in a hurry to get to where I want/need to be, while toting a sticker that says "No Jesus, No Peace, Know Jesus, Know Peace"? It reminds me of an Orthodox Jewish friend of mine (I won't, ahem, name any names, RR!) who always remembers to remove his kipa when visiting less-than-reputable watering holes. Sure, perhaps on some level we're being disobedient and hypocritical, but I see no reason to create needless opportunities for nonbelievers to scoff at Jesus (or Hashem), Christianity (or Orthodox Judaism), religion in general, and those who chose to participate in organized (disorganized is more like it) religion.
Sunday, July 07, 2002
Gimme some Love
The smartest thing Courtney Love ever did was marry Kurt Cobain; this was a savvy decision for many obvious reasons. The second smartest thing Courtney Love ever did, however, was write this screed/manifesto. It's long but brilliantly defiant of the corporate pirates that pretend to comprise a legitimate industry. I've always trashed the copyright laws coming from a pro-Napster perspective, but the real merit lies in what Courtney makes crystal clear: the present set-up screws over the artists and audiences alike. Sure, it's a cash-cow for stodgy, backward-thinking stiffs in Hollywood, Nashville, etc., and hence there's little incentive for them to make change any easier, but there are ample ways around them if just a few enterprising people with money who respect music artistry would step forward and take the lead in forming a system that treats artists as more than temporary hires that can be trashed and recycled at the whim of a few execs who think they know what good music is.
The smartest thing Courtney Love ever did was marry Kurt Cobain; this was a savvy decision for many obvious reasons. The second smartest thing Courtney Love ever did, however, was write this screed/manifesto. It's long but brilliantly defiant of the corporate pirates that pretend to comprise a legitimate industry. I've always trashed the copyright laws coming from a pro-Napster perspective, but the real merit lies in what Courtney makes crystal clear: the present set-up screws over the artists and audiences alike. Sure, it's a cash-cow for stodgy, backward-thinking stiffs in Hollywood, Nashville, etc., and hence there's little incentive for them to make change any easier, but there are ample ways around them if just a few enterprising people with money who respect music artistry would step forward and take the lead in forming a system that treats artists as more than temporary hires that can be trashed and recycled at the whim of a few execs who think they know what good music is.
Some fresh air
I've read too many reports by journalists lately pissing on the World Cup, calling it substandard and such. That's nonsense; from my perspective, it was wonderful, and I've found someone who was there who agrees with me. Of course, the experience in Japan has been considered much less successful than in Korea, but that's a minor distinction--this was without a doubt one of the best World Cups ever.
I've read too many reports by journalists lately pissing on the World Cup, calling it substandard and such. That's nonsense; from my perspective, it was wonderful, and I've found someone who was there who agrees with me. Of course, the experience in Japan has been considered much less successful than in Korea, but that's a minor distinction--this was without a doubt one of the best World Cups ever.
America's failed diplomacy
A Norwegian blogger has some advice for how America should approach diplomacy and treaties: stop being blunt and truthful and start lying. He observes,
A Norwegian blogger has some advice for how America should approach diplomacy and treaties: stop being blunt and truthful and start lying. He observes,
"Many Americans will immediately tell the truth if asked about something, and only then wonder if a lie would have been better. Instead you should lie first, and then ponder if perhaps this time you should have told the truth. After all if you lie you can always tell the truth later on, or another lie, but if you have told the truth then you are stuck with it."
Some of his more specific advice:
"European Question: What do you think of the Kyoto accords?
The American Means: It is the worst waste of time and effort since someone decided to translate 'How to speak French' into French, it's total bullshit and we're never ever going to ratify it or abide by it, and the only reason you bring it up is to satisfy the useless enviroweenies in Europe.
The American Should Say: It is a splendid initiative, we are working hard to have it ratified even as we speak, and will do our utmost to abide by it, and I must say I am impressed with your concerned and capable citizenry that makes it such an issue.
The American Can Now: Go right ahead doing what he was already doing, and he can still keep the accords in ratification limbo."
While this is indeed humorous and indeed even practical advice, I'm all for the blunt approach. I think it's high time somebody in world politics pointed out the elephant in the middle of the room (i.e. the insanity of a lot of what passes for international law and the sorry excuses for what pretend to be serious international political bodies) and proceeded to take the axe to it. First step: start being honest. End goal: get rid of the United Nations and similar meddling bodies that have no business trying to impose their liberal agendas on the various national governments--especially our own.
USA v. ICC
Why are we fighting the International Criminal Court? Steven Den Beste has the lowdown. His is easily the best, most lucid and coherent, explanation I've read to date. He covers most of the facets, and correctly hits the main argument, which is we can't join the ICC because our Constitution does not permit it. The Euroweenies just don't understand this point--for them, Constitutions are meant to be ignored, overridden, amended, or rewritten on a whim--but we will never approve it. Never, ever, ever.
Why are we fighting the International Criminal Court? Steven Den Beste has the lowdown. His is easily the best, most lucid and coherent, explanation I've read to date. He covers most of the facets, and correctly hits the main argument, which is we can't join the ICC because our Constitution does not permit it. The Euroweenies just don't understand this point--for them, Constitutions are meant to be ignored, overridden, amended, or rewritten on a whim--but we will never approve it. Never, ever, ever.
These guys are wrong
The Bush/Gore analysis found here is fascinating, but inaccurate. We Southern Californians say "Coke", not "soda", when we're referring to generic soft drink beverages. I think where they messed up is they probably got their sample from college students who study here but are from elsewhere in the country. Come to think of it, pretty much nobody in California is from California anymore, but then again, when was that ever the case? Us native-borns are minorities in our own state, methinks!
The Bush/Gore analysis found here is fascinating, but inaccurate. We Southern Californians say "Coke", not "soda", when we're referring to generic soft drink beverages. I think where they messed up is they probably got their sample from college students who study here but are from elsewhere in the country. Come to think of it, pretty much nobody in California is from California anymore, but then again, when was that ever the case? Us native-borns are minorities in our own state, methinks!
That about sums it up
Andrew Sullivan's brief take on the Egyptian who killed two people at LAX is on the money.
Andrew Sullivan's brief take on the Egyptian who killed two people at LAX is on the money.
Friday, July 05, 2002
Bourgeoise niceties
Apparently, us liberal Westerners have trouble calling a spade a spade--except when they're on the right; Sidney Goldberg points out how our dictionaries call Hitler, Franco, and Salazar dictators, but reserve names like "leader," "statesman", "revolutionary," and "chairman of the Communist Party" for guys like Stalin, Castro, Tito, and Mao. Witness these further examples:
Apparently, us liberal Westerners have trouble calling a spade a spade--except when they're on the right; Sidney Goldberg points out how our dictionaries call Hitler, Franco, and Salazar dictators, but reserve names like "leader," "statesman", "revolutionary," and "chairman of the Communist Party" for guys like Stalin, Castro, Tito, and Mao. Witness these further examples:
"The American Heritage alludes to 'Hitler's fascist philosophy.' Here is its definition of fascism: 'A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.'"
"Fair enough, especially if the Nazi variation is being described. Communism, on the other hand, is captured this way: 'A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people.' No mention of terror and censorship, and no dictator."
There's more:
"Right: 'A political group, as a faction or party, whose policies are conservative or reactionary.' (OK.) Left: 'Those who advocate the adoption of sometimes extreme measures to achieve the equality, freedom, and well-being of the citizens of a state.' Sounds warm and fuzzy. Isn't it possible that even the right cares about the well-being of the citizens of the state?"
"In Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2001 edition) the right, among other things, opposes 'change in the established order' and favors 'traditional attitudes and practices.' Fine. The left, meanwhile, advocates 'change in the name of freedom or well-being of the common man.' Again, noble motives are assigned to one side and not the other."
Some may think this is splitting hairs, but you're being incredbly dishonest if you overlook the biases portrayed in these definitions and think what the dictionaries say are all hunky-dory. It's sublte jabs like these that help reinforce the bunker/persecution mentality that many conservatives have nowadays.
"America should celebrate its independence"
Pointless title, no? But, in fact, its a great play on words, because what Mark Steyn means by independence is America's independence from the rest of the West in how it runs its government. In contrast, the Europeans like to dictate and run things from the top down:
Pointless title, no? But, in fact, its a great play on words, because what Mark Steyn means by independence is America's independence from the rest of the West in how it runs its government. In contrast, the Europeans like to dictate and run things from the top down:
"That's where the EU, in their haste to line up at the Eurinals and spray their contempt over Bush, are missing the point. Who is this arrogant cowboy, they sneer, to tell the Palestinians whom they can vote for. Actually, that's not what Bush said. The guys who tell people who they can vote for are the Europeans. Only a couple weeks back, Tony Blair and Gerhard Schroeder told the French to vote for Chirac. In February, the Belgian Foreign Minister threatened sanctions against Italy if they voted for Umberto Bossi's Northern League. When Austria proved less pliable and admitted duly elected members of Joerg Haider's Freedom Party to the coalition government, the EU did, indeed, impose sanctions."
"But to suggest to Palestinians that things might go better if they elected a non-terrorist leadership is apparently unacceptable. Arafat has far more blood on his hand than Bossi, Haider, Jean-Marie Le Pen and Joerg Haider put together and multiplied a thousandfold, but he's the West's guy: they can talk to him, strongman to strongman, Jacques to Yasser. Suddenly Bush comes along and says not that he wants a non-Yasser President but that he'd like a new constitution, separation of powers, an autonomous legislature, independent municipal institutions. Where does that sound like? Britain, where Tony Blair can simply replace one house of the legislature with another more to his liking? Canada, where municipalities are abolished by order of the Ontario and Quebec governments? No, it sounds like he wants a U.S. Constitution for Palestine, where President Yasser Clinton and Vice-President Mohammed al-Gore get hamstrung by Senator Ahmed Helms and Senator Walid Thurmond, and, either way, it makes no difference to the residents of high-tax Ramallah or no-tax Jenin. Is Bush just winding up the Kofi set? Hard to say. But you can understand why the EU recoils from such a vision: If separation of powers were to catch on in Palestine, who's to say it mightn't spread to the Continent?"
Eurinal, very clever. Steyn finishes:
"There's a famous Fleet Street headline often cited as an example of British isolationism: 'Fog In Channel, Continent Cut Off.' But the odd man out isn't necessarily the guy in the wrong. On matters such as the role of the state, concentration of power, and the usefulness of international institutions, I'll bet on the Americans: There's a fog in the Atlantic, but it's Europe that's cut off."
I love my country. I mean, when you think about it, we're all a bunch of religious nuts and free thinkers who fled persecution, cocky snobs who felt we could succeed better if not trapped by Old World-style government strictures and corruption, and gun-toting cowboys who believed we could turn a dusty Old West into a thriving, bustling hub of civilization through saloon fights and hangman jury justice. No wonder the established, "cultured" Europeans bristle at playing second fiddle to us brash Yanquis.
Old article, timely wisdom
The Republicans have ample opportunity to develop a free-market-oriented environmental policy that would be very appealing to the electorate, but because they're so focused on opposing the extreme Greens instead of brainstorming sensible policy, they get nowhere.
The Republicans have ample opportunity to develop a free-market-oriented environmental policy that would be very appealing to the electorate, but because they're so focused on opposing the extreme Greens instead of brainstorming sensible policy, they get nowhere.
Something's rotten in Denmark
No, literally. A Danish judge has ordered a website to stop linking to Danish newspaper articles online. I'm confident this could never happen in America, but it's a nice reminder that there are still plenty of morons out there who want to try to put limits on people's freedom of access to information via the World Wide Web.
No, literally. A Danish judge has ordered a website to stop linking to Danish newspaper articles online. I'm confident this could never happen in America, but it's a nice reminder that there are still plenty of morons out there who want to try to put limits on people's freedom of access to information via the World Wide Web.
Thursday, July 04, 2002
More bad news
It's just been one bad thing after another as far as aviation news today in Southern California. First, three are killed in a shooting at LAX, and later at least one is killed and scores injured when a Cessna crashed at a park out in San Dimas. :-(
It's just been one bad thing after another as far as aviation news today in Southern California. First, three are killed in a shooting at LAX, and later at least one is killed and scores injured when a Cessna crashed at a park out in San Dimas. :-(
How patriotic are Americans?
Some fascinating poll data put together by the folks over at the American Enterprise Institute.
Some fascinating poll data put together by the folks over at the American Enterprise Institute.
Mucho ado about nothing
Don't believe any of the blathering nonsense being spewed forth in the press about the Bush administration seeking to slash EPA Superfund money. In response to the media's overblown coverage, Jack Shafer of Slate provides a thorough Fisking of Times writer Katharine Q. Seelye for her biased and manipulative reporting of the Superfund issue.
Don't believe any of the blathering nonsense being spewed forth in the press about the Bush administration seeking to slash EPA Superfund money. In response to the media's overblown coverage, Jack Shafer of Slate provides a thorough Fisking of Times writer Katharine Q. Seelye for her biased and manipulative reporting of the Superfund issue.
(An aside: why do I feel like the NY Times is being ghost-written by the DNC lately? Seriously, just read Bob Herbert's latest screed, as full of misinformation as misguided ideology. Is the environment really getting worse, against all evidence pointing to the contrary? Or are we just trying to tarnish a still-extremely popular Republican president?)
Not as smart as his pa
Saddam Hussein's stepson was arrested in Miami after apparently trying to enroll in flight school without a proper visa. Dumbass.
Saddam Hussein's stepson was arrested in Miami after apparently trying to enroll in flight school without a proper visa. Dumbass.
*Update--Belated bad humor--maybe he should've tried Mastercard.
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