The Tedder P. Schoenhopfer Policy Exchange

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/01/31/eff_suing_att_for_he.html

“The Electronic Frontier Foundation is suing AT&T for rolling over and helping the National Security Agency execute illegal warrantless wiretaps against American citizens”

http://my.opera.com/SerbianFighter/albums/show.dml?perscreen=20&id=32317

So, I went to see Russ Feingold speak today at a neighboring law school. I took a bunch of notes for the purpose of this exclusive Crumiller scoop. Basically, I was very impressed. He has a great sense of wit, which came through in some funny snarky remarks, is handsome enough, and has strong progressive views. Ever since Hillary supported the flag-burning statute, I’ve been wondering who to support in 2008. For now, tentatively, (and if he runs,) I’m going with Feingold.

For me, a huge reason I like him is that he’s called for abolition of the death penalty. Read his statement here, introducing the Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2003. He also said he would support a filibuster of Alito; he did vote for Roberts, though (and he also voted for Ashcroft, but not Gonzales). He was one of only eleven senators to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act, and as everyone knows, he was *the only senator* to vote against the Patriot Act. He also recently led a filibuster successfully opposing its reauthorization. (It’s been temporarily reauthorized, I think.)

He made a lot of great quips about the Administration, but he talks about it like a normal guy telling you about his day at work, not super angrily - it’s like he’s an insider, but in a cool way. He’s done so much that he’s the essence of “do, don’t say” - like he doesn’t have to brag b/c his record is so matter-of-fact. Anyway, my favorite was, “they say Democrats have a pre-9/11 mindset; I say their problem is they have a pre-1776 mindset.” Heheh. So true. He also talked about wiretapping, and how the Bush administration was pretending this was some sort of “interesting new legal question,” said sarcastically and with air-quotes. Discussing civil liberties, he mentioned how Cornyn (or someone) said something like “civil liberties are no good if you’re dead.” So he mentioned that, and then he compared it to “give me liberty or give me death,” and he was saying how he liked to compare those two quotes, but he did it in this really funny sort of faux-innocent way.

He said that we shouldn’t be intimidated out of talking about impeachment, but that he doesn’t necessarily think it’s good for the country. In response to a question about the media, he said that “the Internet is a miracle for democracy,” that blogs were great and the more voices the better. Oh, he also was one of a handful of Senators to vote against the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which dramatically consolidated media power.

So, what does everyone think? It’s never too early to talk about ‘08, right? Do we think America is ready for a divorced, Jewish president? Does Feingold have any substantive downsides?

The New York Review of Books has a really good piece by Nicholas Kristof on Darfur. At least click here and send an email postcard to Bush.

Here’s a 4MB video of the most amazing pool shots I’ve ever seen by far.

http://neddasty.hopto.org/downloads/pool.wmv

1-800-FREE-411

(1-800-373-3411)

It’s 411 except FREE!

Also I assume everyone knows about Whitepages (www.whitepages.com) which has reverse address features and other useful things. I use it all the time.

How about some suggestions for Groundhog’s Day resolutions? I know that Tedder doesn’t need to make any resolutions because he’s already perfect. Madison’s Groundhog’s Day resolution is to work harder on shedding.

By a landslide vote of 156 - 59. More details later.

January 22 is Darlyne’s birthday. It feels weird saying Darlyne instead of Mom but there are too many Moms on this blog. Anyway, I think that Mom-Darlyne-Gramma is a great role model for aging gracefully. By taking an interest in the world (and people) around her, she is very interesting herself! For example, I am really proud that my mom is a blogger. Also, she has always been a good sport–catching pigeons for me; picking up Labarador sperm at the airport; whelping puppies; buying shotgun shells for Kyle because she was the only one over eighteen, willing. And that’s just here! I happen to know that she’s been in many situations in Princeton that happened for one reason: helping Jenny. Finally, last year was a terrible year for Mom’s health, as we all know. I am proud of her commitment to remaining healthy. This winter I saw her forego Culver’s frozen custard and all manner of delicious things in order to keep her blood sugar under control. When you’re out in the country in the middle of winter, that’s very difficult. (That’s why Wisconsin is the second fattest state.) So, Mom: Happy Birthday. I think this year is going to be especially good.

“I cannot stand by while this body uses gays and lesbians as scapegoats for what has happened to the institution of marriage. How many members of this body are divorced? How many have children that are divorced? Grandchildren? Parents? Brothers? Sisters? What do gays and lesbians have to do with any of those divorces? How many children are now raised by single parents? Can we really blame gays and lesbians for the fact that so many households are now headed by a single parent? How many of those marriages were celebrated or consecrated in a church or synagogue? Can we really blame gays and lesbians for those who have broken their vows?”

– Adam P. Ebbin, the only openly gay member of the Virginia House. The body approved a measure to place a marriage amendment on the ballot.

Via Pandagon.

UPDATED: OK, coincidentally, I came across another great refutation of anti-gay marriage arguments.

Ten Reasons Gay Marriage Is Wrong

1. Being gay is not natural. And as you know Americans have always rejected unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.

2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

3. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because, as you know, a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

4. Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can’t marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

5. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed. The sanctity of Britany Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

6. Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn’t be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren’t full yet, and the world needs more children.

7. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.

9. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven’t adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.

Via Alas, A Blog.

Well, since nobody was the slightest bit helpful with my Sicilian question, I’m taking a different tack. Recently there has been an uptick in the use of chess in advertising. Here are two examples.

The first video is “udderly” pathetic, one of the stupidest commercials I’ve ever seen, starring Viktor Kortschnoi, a former world-championship contender from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. He almost won the title from Karpov in 1978. But here, Kortschnoi loses a game to a cow, somehow proving the benefits of milk (?!?!?). Not to mention poor sportsmanship. Boo. Or Moo.

By contrast, here is a commercial that is brilliantly conceived and executed, starring Garry Kasparov. The punchline, which is a little hard to read on the screen, is an AltaVista question typed in — “How can I beat Kasparov’s Evans Gambit?”. Never mind that Kasparov doesn’t play the Evans Gambit. An advertising masterpiece.

“Goo-goo-anyone-notice-this-entry-day Saturday, December 17″??!!

So, I’m going to be in Baltimore for a wedding the day before Marsh’s graduation. Are we going? Should I get a plane ticket?

What the Living Do

Johnny, the kitchen sink has been clogged for days, some utensil probably fell down there,
And the Drano won’t work but smells dangerous, and the crusty dishes have piled up

waiting for the plumber I still haven’t called. This is the everyday we spoke of.
It’s winter again: the sky’s a deep, headstrong blue, and the sunlight pours through

the open living-room windows because the heat’s on too high in here and I can’t turn it off.
For weeks now, driving, or dropping a bag of groceries in the street, the bag breaking,

I’ve been thinking: This is what the living do. And yesterday, hurrying along those
wobbly bricks in the Cambridge sidewalk, spilling my coffee down my wrist and sleeve,

I thought it again, and again later, when buying a hairbrush: This is it.
Parking. Slamming the car door shut in the cold. What you called that yearning.

What you finally gave up. We want the spring to come and the winter to pass. We want
whoever to call or not call, a letter, a kiss–we want more and more and then more of it.

But there are moments, walking, when I catch a glimpse of myself in the window glass,
say, the window of the corner video store, and I’m gripped by a cherishing so deep

for my own blowing hair, chapped face, and unbuttoned coat that I’m speechless:
I am living. I remember you.

I was so pleased to get a Christmas card from Karl Rove! (courtesy of www.ameriblog.com)