I listened to Jonah's "Skiff" podcast with David French during the post-Bird Time part of my walk. It was interesting. I think an underappreciated element in the Very Online Kerfuffle might be that people - myself, for example - can just find Mr. David French, the media figure, really annoying.
David French, the human being, might be just great, but I don't know him.
Interesting. I don't get the same vibe from David French. It is true he is generally focused on the law (and some specific facets of it, like civil liberties, the law of war, etc). Jay's comment about French and the PCA is a fair point. But in general, I have no issues with David French,
That fine. People react to others in all different ways, often for reasons that have very little to do with the actual person and a lot to do with past events and totally different people.
My sense is that David's legal training is his strength...and weakness. He argues the facts when it favors him, he argues the law when it favors him, he argues emotions when it favors him. As a result it's difficult to argue with him because how he argues changes so much. If someone tries to argue facts he'll argue law, etc. It's a strength in court, but not good for building rapport with a wider audience.
He left the PCA, yet complains they canceled him. I don't dispute horrible things were said, but I think it is legit for an organization not to host a non member for a members only discussion. Had he remained, I think it'd be a different story.
Years ago when the laptop story surfaced, he put together a really detailed discussion on why not to trust it, due to chain of command concerns; okay, fair enough. But it turns out the FBI had the original (rendering the chain of command issue irrelevant). But he never acknowledged that, then or now.
I'm not voting for either, largely for the same reason: I think both will flop in their next term.
I saw a Dispatch column a while ago, asking which is worse: targeted (and higher) tariffs, or lower (but more universal) tariffs? Economists will agree both are bad, but can respectfully disagree on which is worse. To me, both are bad, so I won't support either. I have my opinion on which is worse, but it is outweighed by, in general, tariffs are bad.
I’ve always been skeptical about reports on the likelihood of extraterrestrial life, not that it can’t exist, but that if it exists, we haven’t detected it, despite something like 50 years of actively looking for radio signals from ET civilizations.
Professor Elizabeth Vandiver said that science fiction of the space alien sort was literally the contemporary version of the travels of Odysseus: a literary way of exploring humanity in a new/imagined environment.
Good morning. Cool at 55 now, but predicated high of 82. IT’s supposed to be the start of several hot days.
The Free Press has 2 lead stories, both on the Palestinian protests: the story Cynthia described about a reporter who was mobbed, and a Palestinian activist and Gaza emigre who believe that most Palestinian protestors are hurting actual Palestinians and don’t care about them — and he says that after losing 31 relatives in Gaza to the war.
Down to the high 40s this morning, but those cool mornings are coming to an end in the next few days. Expecting high temps in the high 80s or even 90 or 91! Unheard of around here.
Good morning. Dinner with Josh was.....interesting. He has somehow transferred the ankle bracelet to the leg of a college student to whom he pays a minimum wage and who sits at his house all day long. No word of Kim's view on this subterfuge. In any event we were able to go to a real restaurant where no one seemed to know that I was dining with the notorious Josh. I could say more, but he paid the bill so that would be unkind. (But its soooo tempting...)
Josh thought of that, too. He gave the kid a disguise from a local costume shop: The Hermit. Long Hair. Flowing yet scraggly beard. Even gave him his "Bring down the air war" T-shirt from his Vietnam protest days.
The Free Press is reporting on violent pro-Hamas protests and attacks on Jews over the last few days. This is a situation on which there is only one right side.
Obviously they’re fiery and violent peaceful protests. I’d like to know what percentage of them are non-Palestinian Americans. Or put another way, guilt-ridden but ignorant white people.
The link that Anne posted on Monday certainly makes you wonder how well the years-long “pro-Pelestinian” propaganda efforts have paid off. Yet I do doubt that efforts that promote militant Islam are very beneficial to actual Palestinian residents of the areas in question…
It's like "militant" everything else: harmful. The only thing that actually benefits people in their daily lives is boring old free-market capitalism and constitutional liberalism of the free speech, free exercise, etc., sort.
** Later that night on [the UCLA] campus, a masked protester berated UCLA Chabad Rabbi Dovid Gurevich, calling him a “pedophile rabbi,” adding that “Israel is full of pedophiles.” When Gurevich asked why he wouldn’t reveal his face, the man replied, “If I show my face, I’ll have to fucking kill you.” Other protesters shouted at the rabbi and others: “Go back to Poland or Ukraine,” “Go back to Europe,” and “Death to fucking Zionism.” Twenty-five protesters were arrested. **
I'm proud of the way my alma mater, Ohio State, handled the protests, allowing them to proceed but making it clear that encampments would not be allowed, and brining in police to make the point. No violence to speak of, and when the protesters came back the following week, they dispersed of their own accord without incident.
Park rangers were physically assaulted. No arrests. Even if the arrests are just pro-forma, not even a fine, it would be a sign of giving a flying fish about the law.
Biden doesn't want to antagonize his supporters in Michigan, and arresting "mostly peaceful Palestinian protesters" would do that. Although I doubt you'll ever hear him say that, just because that is such a tough phrase for anyone to say 3 times.
I signed this: https://www.unitedagainstacademicboycott.com/
I listened to Jonah's "Skiff" podcast with David French during the post-Bird Time part of my walk. It was interesting. I think an underappreciated element in the Very Online Kerfuffle might be that people - myself, for example - can just find Mr. David French, the media figure, really annoying.
David French, the human being, might be just great, but I don't know him.
Interesting. I don't get the same vibe from David French. It is true he is generally focused on the law (and some specific facets of it, like civil liberties, the law of war, etc). Jay's comment about French and the PCA is a fair point. But in general, I have no issues with David French,
That fine. People react to others in all different ways, often for reasons that have very little to do with the actual person and a lot to do with past events and totally different people.
My sense is that David's legal training is his strength...and weakness. He argues the facts when it favors him, he argues the law when it favors him, he argues emotions when it favors him. As a result it's difficult to argue with him because how he argues changes so much. If someone tries to argue facts he'll argue law, etc. It's a strength in court, but not good for building rapport with a wider audience.
He left the PCA, yet complains they canceled him. I don't dispute horrible things were said, but I think it is legit for an organization not to host a non member for a members only discussion. Had he remained, I think it'd be a different story.
Years ago when the laptop story surfaced, he put together a really detailed discussion on why not to trust it, due to chain of command concerns; okay, fair enough. But it turns out the FBI had the original (rendering the chain of command issue irrelevant). But he never acknowledged that, then or now.
I'm not voting for either, largely for the same reason: I think both will flop in their next term.
I saw a Dispatch column a while ago, asking which is worse: targeted (and higher) tariffs, or lower (but more universal) tariffs? Economists will agree both are bad, but can respectfully disagree on which is worse. To me, both are bad, so I won't support either. I have my opinion on which is worse, but it is outweighed by, in general, tariffs are bad.
"it's difficult to argue with him because how he argues changes so much"
Yes, that's a good description of the phenomenon behind my perception that various articles were written by "one of Mr. David French's personalities."
It was pleasantly cool for Bird Time this morning, but it's getting hotter fast.
I thought ET was based on a true story!
𝑬ntertainment 𝑻onight was based on a true story? 😯
Don’t confuse it with Alien!
This is great (not for him, but fun to read.)
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/singer-sues-hospital-says-staff-164443466.html
I had forgotten about that scene!
“War is hell.”
https://youtu.be/U1wbbrkQDss?si=n5636UST3JGApJdn
I’ve always been skeptical about reports on the likelihood of extraterrestrial life, not that it can’t exist, but that if it exists, we haven’t detected it, despite something like 50 years of actively looking for radio signals from ET civilizations.
The size of the universe is so large, it's possible they're too far away for signals to have reached us yet.
It's possible they've been observing us and are keeping their mouths shut on purpose.
Occam's shaver (just as close as a blade, but fewer nicks) suggests they may aovid planets with cooties....
Or they may want to avoid any close shaves with a fate worse than (fill in the blank as you see fit).
Although I often love the sci-fi imaginings of ET intelligent life, alien invasions, etcetera. But they are ultimately just stories about us humans.
RE: "... life on earth is unique and extremely unlikely elsewhere."
Well. Good news for the 'Verse, I guess.
Is that the sounds of the *heavens* rejoicing that I hear??
Professor Elizabeth Vandiver said that science fiction of the space alien sort was literally the contemporary version of the travels of Odysseus: a literary way of exploring humanity in a new/imagined environment.
Good morning. Cool at 55 now, but predicated high of 82. IT’s supposed to be the start of several hot days.
The Free Press has 2 lead stories, both on the Palestinian protests: the story Cynthia described about a reporter who was mobbed, and a Palestinian activist and Gaza emigre who believe that most Palestinian protestors are hurting actual Palestinians and don’t care about them — and he says that after losing 31 relatives in Gaza to the war.
Down to the high 40s this morning, but those cool mornings are coming to an end in the next few days. Expecting high temps in the high 80s or even 90 or 91! Unheard of around here.
The mothership just dropped, reporting n the civil war in Sudan.
Good morning. Dinner with Josh was.....interesting. He has somehow transferred the ankle bracelet to the leg of a college student to whom he pays a minimum wage and who sits at his house all day long. No word of Kim's view on this subterfuge. In any event we were able to go to a real restaurant where no one seemed to know that I was dining with the notorious Josh. I could say more, but he paid the bill so that would be unkind. (But its soooo tempting...)
Was it your female or male persona that had dinner with Josh? 🙂
I will never tell.
But what shoes did ya wear?
Birkenstocks. It was a theme dinner.
I'm glad you had a nice time.
We did.
Good thing the student hasn’t figured out how to gnaw his leg off or something.
The kid didn't seem all that sharp, so Josh has some time.
Just as long as the parole officer doesn’t drop by unannounced.
Josh thought of that, too. He gave the kid a disguise from a local costume shop: The Hermit. Long Hair. Flowing yet scraggly beard. Even gave him his "Bring down the air war" T-shirt from his Vietnam protest days.
https://www.thefp.com/p/i-went-to-cover-a-protest-i-was-mobbed
The Free Press is reporting on violent pro-Hamas protests and attacks on Jews over the last few days. This is a situation on which there is only one right side.
Obviously they’re fiery and violent peaceful protests. I’d like to know what percentage of them are non-Palestinian Americans. Or put another way, guilt-ridden but ignorant white people.
The link that Anne posted on Monday certainly makes you wonder how well the years-long “pro-Pelestinian” propaganda efforts have paid off. Yet I do doubt that efforts that promote militant Islam are very beneficial to actual Palestinian residents of the areas in question…
It's like "militant" everything else: harmful. The only thing that actually benefits people in their daily lives is boring old free-market capitalism and constitutional liberalism of the free speech, free exercise, etc., sort.
Yup
** Later that night on [the UCLA] campus, a masked protester berated UCLA Chabad Rabbi Dovid Gurevich, calling him a “pedophile rabbi,” adding that “Israel is full of pedophiles.” When Gurevich asked why he wouldn’t reveal his face, the man replied, “If I show my face, I’ll have to fucking kill you.” Other protesters shouted at the rabbi and others: “Go back to Poland or Ukraine,” “Go back to Europe,” and “Death to fucking Zionism.” Twenty-five protesters were arrested. **
Nobody was arrested in Washington, D.C., though.
I'm proud of the way my alma mater, Ohio State, handled the protests, allowing them to proceed but making it clear that encampments would not be allowed, and brining in police to make the point. No violence to speak of, and when the protesters came back the following week, they dispersed of their own accord without incident.
Such cowards.
Park rangers were physically assaulted. No arrests. Even if the arrests are just pro-forma, not even a fine, it would be a sign of giving a flying fish about the law.
But no.
Biden doesn't want to antagonize his supporters in Michigan, and arresting "mostly peaceful Palestinian protesters" would do that. Although I doubt you'll ever hear him say that, just because that is such a tough phrase for anyone to say 3 times.
I'm sympathetic to this interpretation, but I also think a case can be made that Biden has no concept of any of it.
Occams razor would suggest you are correct. It'd be nice if the Dems actually nominated whoever is making all the policy decisions for Biden.
You think the Left is correct to support attacks on Jews?
Ah, I assumed your remark was sarcastic. No, of course not.
No, I meant that straight. The "one right side" is the anti-Hamas side, but it's also the "peaceably assemble" side.
Good morning. Although maths *bangs head on desk, ow*, I agree with the improbability.
Morning! My best math involves advanced skills like mark, copy, and paste.