Friday, March 10, 2006
On the road again
Heading out to the Midwest for Spring Break and final wedding preps shortly.
I'll blog when I can, but it'll probably be light for a few days.
Be nice.
WF
// posted by Wes @ 12:23 PM |||Comment (1) | Trackback (0)
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Running Mates
Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey (R-Beverly) has chosen former State Police head and state representative Reed Hillman (R-Sturbridge) as her running mate.
Of course, the Democrats have four choices (Deb Goldberg, Sam Kelley, Tim Murray, and Andrea Silbert), and no one knows whom independent candidate Christy Mihos will tap (though rumors have been circulating around former Republican Congressman Peter Blute).
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:55 AM |||Comments (4) | Trackback (0)
Worth a thousand words
Occasionally, an image just goes right to the heart of the issue.
Today's cartoon by Dan Wasserman does just that.
How much of who we are - our ideals, our laws, our belief in this ephemeral thing called America - have we sacrificed on the altar of security?
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:47 AM |||Comments (2) | Trackback (0)
Local Boy Makes Good
Good on local artist Glenn Shalan, who received an outstanding volunteer award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Mayor Barrett's quote is especially cogent:
"He's one of the new people who are part of the growing arts community, he just showed up," Barrett said. "North Adams is special because it embraces change, and part of that is people like Glenn."
As North Adams moves from mill town to cultural center, now we have to go to the next step - making sure no one is left behind. The arts alone are not enough.
Wi-Fi would be a good start. Other thoughts?
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:40 AM |||Comments (9) | Trackback (0)
Hot enough for ya?
Scientists have created conditions that led to a temperature reading of 3,600,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fortunately, it was a dry heat.
(I expect our creationist friends to say it never actually got over 6,000 degrees.)
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:34 AM |||Comments (7) | Trackback (0)
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Irony
Christy Mihos, man of wealth and taste, bemoaning the lack of status for the common man.
While his Proposition One will no doubt garner support (and I like the idea of removing fees for students), it doesn't take into account what happens in an economic downturn. As my friends on the Right like to point out, that money has to come from somewhere, and I'm not thrilled with the idea of essential state services being defunded to appease homeowners (of which I plan on becoming this summer).
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:36 AM |||Comments (15) | Trackback (0)
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Question
For those of you that got ticked off at Massachusetts for same-sex marriage:
The South Dakota abortion ban was, in the words of the Speaker of the South Dakota House, designed specifically to force a court case in an attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade. Does that attempt by one state to force national policy bother you on the same level that you claim Massachusetts' law did?
I think I already know the answer, but let's have the discussion anyway.
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:37 AM |||Comments (41) | Trackback (0)
Monday, March 06, 2006
More on N'Awlins
James Carroll, as usual, says it far better than I could.
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:38 AM |||Comments (4) | Trackback (0)
I'd like to thank the Academy
A rare pop-culture post: What did you think of the Academy Awards last night?
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:36 AM |||Comments (13) | Trackback (0)
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Good news, everyone!
Someone took an old Superman pinball machine and turned it into a Futurama pinball machine.
Morbo enjoys the puny games you pathetic Earthlings play.
(props to Wil Wheaton - yes, THAT Wil Wheaton - for the catch)
WF
// posted by Wes @ 10:27 AM |||Comment (0) | Trackback (0)
Vermont and population
Here's an interesting article from the New York Times about the exodus of young people from Vermont.
Jawa Girl and I are looking at houses, and one of the places we are looking is Bennington. Personally, I love this entire area, but we're balancing some work and financial things alongside quality-of-life issues in terms of where to buy our first home. Bennington is high on the list for various reasons.
One of the things that I like about Vermont is its size - it is very easy for people to take an active role in civic life. However, having grown up in an exceptionally rural area, I too understand the desire for young people to get off of the farm (you'll notice I haven't lived in Pinhook, Indiana since 1990).
How can a state like Vermont balance all these issues?
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:57 AM |||Comments (4) | Trackback (0)
Shorter Jeff Jacoby
The issues involving Catholic Charities and adoption by same-sex couples are complex. Therefore, I will ignore the issues and blame the gays.
WF
// posted by Wes @ 8:39 AM |||Comments (2) | Trackback (0)
Best wishes for a speedy recovery
This desk wishes Maestro James Levine of the Boston Symphony Orchestra good health and a quick recuperation after he fell onstage following a performance of Beethoven's Symphony no. 9.
