Clipmarks | powerof2's clips

Don't Challenge Palin

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:48:18 GMT

clipped by: powerof2
clipper's remarks: Why, because she's a woman or because she's an idiot? On tack is chauvinist, the other dangerous.

Why then, OK to beat up on Clinton? She sure as hell ain't stupid!!!

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

As smart and talented as Biden is, he invariably has to prove that he is the smartest guy in the room. He must hold this aspect of his persona in check and avoid at all costs appearing as though he is beating up on Palin.

Partisanship at its Best

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:13:22 GMT

clipped by: powerof2

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

The picture is this: Anyone who dares express an opinion that runs counter to the party line will be silenced. That doesn't sound American to me, but Stalin would approve.

Another Conservative Voice

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:11:19 GMT

clipped by: powerof2
clipper's remarks: Mene, mene, tekl, tekl

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Of course, there's a difference between a lack of polish and a lack of coherence. Some of Palin's interview responses can't even be critiqued on their merits because they're so nonsensical. But even that is someone else's fault, say Palin supporters. The media make her uncomfortable.

Or, it's the fault of those slick politicos who are overmanaging her. "Let Sarah be Sarah" has become the latest rallying cry among my colleagues on the right. She'll be fine if we just leave her alone, they say. Between prayers, I might add.

... Instead of Opening Your Mouth to Prove It

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:04:53 GMT

clipped by: powerof2
clipper's remarks: A fool and her money are soon parted.

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

There can now be little doubt that Nancy Pelosi has an unrivaled record for lacking achievement. In retrospect, it seems incomprehensible that Democrats chose a grating, partisan San Francisco liberal to lead both parties in the House. During the bailout debate, Pelosi used her last breath to channel the shade of Henry Wallace, attacking conservative economics as a "right-wing ideology of anything goes, no supervision, no discipline, no regulation." When one thinks of the skills of the speaker of the House, rubbing your face in it before a vital vote is not usually high on the list. House conservatives were insulted -- then watched as some of Pelosi's committee chairmen and closest political associates voted against the bill. Seeing Democrats saving their political hides provided little encouragement for Republicans to risk their own.

I'll Get Right On It.

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:54:25 GMT

clipped by: powerof2
clipper's remarks: I haven't even heard of most of these.

Clip Source: www.networkworld.com

The world's 23 toughest math questions

Those wacky folks at he the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency have put out a research request it calls Mathematical Challenges, that has the mighty goal of "dramatically revolutionizing mathematics and thereby strengthening DoD's scientific and technological capabilities."

So if you're game, take your pick of the following questions and have at it.

The Mathematics of the Brain: Develop a mathematical theory to build a functional model of the brain that is mathematically consistent and predictive rather than merely biologically inspired.

Occam's Razor in Many Dimensions: As data collection increases can we "do more with less" by finding lower bounds for sensing complexity in systems? This is related to questions about entropy maximization algorithms.

Settle the Riemann Hypothesis: The Holy Grail of number theory.

Even Conservatives are Worried

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:04:19 GMT

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Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Conservative columnist: Palin should go

WASHINGTON -- A conservative columnist who welcomed Sarah Palin's entry in national politics says she's proven to be a dud and should step aside as John McCain's running mate.

"Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves," Parker writes. "She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first."

Life Imitating Art

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:42:21 GMT

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Clip Source: www.youtube.com

[Video]

Jeremiah Wright Looks Like Father Flannigan

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:36:48 GMT

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clipper's remarks: From water boarding to throwing people into ponds to see if they float.

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

[Video]

Watch our Dick Cheney

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:27:00 GMT

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clipper's remarks: At least part of the Republican Party will be witch free.

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

[Video]

And McCain is Fundamentally Out of It

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:27:56 GMT

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Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

It's My Fault.

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:26:51 GMT

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Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

"Nowhere in his 13-minute speech did the president suggest that the people in Washington who are supposed to keep an eye on the economy missed a step, failed to raise alarms or hesitated to intervene. The guilty parties in Bush's script were overseas lenders flush with cash, American borrowers reaching for more than they could afford, easy credit terms, a banking system eager to cooperate and too much optimism about rising home values.

What, No White House Leadership? Again?

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:25:05 GMT

clipped by: powerof2

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

But Bush clearly underperformed in addressing two things about the financial crisis. He didn't acknowledge any responsibility for what happened under his watch. And even more significantly, he didn't do nearly enough to assuage anger that the fat-cat Wall Street masters who profited so obscenely from driving the mortgage market into a frenzy are now going to be bailed out with taxpayer dollars, even as ordinary people continue to suffer.

Another Toe Shot to Hell

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:17:16 GMT

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Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

McCain succeeded in focusing attention on himself, but not necessarily in a good way. Voters may see this not as an illustration of brave leadership but as another example of McCain's "ready, fire, aim" approach to dealing with any crisis. Putting himself at the center of events -- making any situation all about him -- is more than a political tactic for McCain. It's his nature, and I wonder if most Americans won't be unnerved at the prospect of electing a president who's always so ready for his close-up.

Take Credit Where Credit is None

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:14:14 GMT

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clipper's remarks: The Jesse Jackson School of Politics

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

The solution was to try to make it look as if McCain were leading the heroic effort to save the American way of life. To do this, he had to portray the negotiations over a rescue plan -- which had been making orderly progress -- as stalled and in shambles. "We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved," McCain said, calling on everyone to "temporarily set politics aside."

Not In My Back Yard

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:07:27 GMT

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clipper's remarks: Get government off my back

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Paulson, the White House or somebody should explain why this plan will work and why some other plan wouldn't work better. And the corporate executives who put their companies at risk and then turn to the government for a bailout should not be rewarded with multimillion-dollar compensation packages subsidized by the taxpayers.