Month: May 2006

I can remember when many people ridiculed the idea that Islamic dictatorships, like Iran’s, should be described as fascist. I think the ridicule should be officially over now.

A reader writes:

I very much appreciated your article on the co-opting of Christianity by the right.  While I tend to be conservative in my theology, my politics are far more libertarian than right-wing, so I am very sympathetic to your position.

However, one thing does bother me about your term "Christianism".  Specifically, it uses Christ’s name as a part of a label for a philosophy that I’m not sure he would approve of.  I’m thinking that perhaps there’s a historical, even biblical, term that might be more suitable.  Christianists, as I suppose you would call them under your nomenclature, seek to apply their own narrow interpretation of God’s law to society at large, punishing those who disagree, and emphasizing adherence to rules over grace and mercy.  They might even invent new laws based on their understanding of scripture.  Folks like that were called Pharisees back in Jesus’ time.  Maybe it’s just as good a name for them today.

It’s getting uglier. And uglier.

"I didn’t realize marriages were so threatened. Nor did my wife of 44 years," Senator Patrick Leahy, today.

He doesn’t understand. They get especially threatened every two years. Usually before Congressional elections.

A reader writes:

Over my lunch break, I couldn’t help pondering Derb’s Lolita article a little more and I found the bright side!

If I understand Derb’s rationale, my 29th birthday will really be cause to celebrate! If, as Derb suggests, rape is mainly a function of the victim’s hotness, and if a woman’s hotness (and therefore probability of being raped) drops off like a "continental shelf" at age 29, then come November, I’m virtually home free! As I enter my last year as a twenty-something and my buttocks begin to sag, I’ll be able to walk without worry down darkened city alleys, jog with my headphones on through the park after sunset, and forget about double-checking the locks on the doors before bed! Alas, a life free from all that fuss about personal safety. 

And all this time I’ve been under the mistaken impression that older women might – might – be less likely to be raped because they (like most adults, about most dangers) are more in touch with their own mortality/vulnerability and more savvy in avoiding dangerous situations. But Derb has made perfect sense of those rape statistics: Hot girls get raped because they’re hot and once you’re past your mid-twenties, you’re not hot.

On this birthday, I’ll drink one (or ten) for Derb and stumble home worry free!

Who, one wonders, is coopting whom?

The Sid Blumenthal of the Bush administration, Hugh Hewitt, is throwing a lot of personal insults around these days. Professor Bainbridge is the latest target. Bainbridge’s sin? Putting a coherent conservatism before Bush-worship.

Feverish anti-Rove speculation here; wet blanket here. Enjoy.

Virginia Postrel tells all.

Yep: the Competitive Enterprise Institute has decided to launch a p.r. campaign in defense of carbon dioxide. Money quote:

"Carbon Dioxide: They Call It Pollution. We Call It Life."

I’m not making this up. Now, I’m not going to knock CO2. And when you watch the ad, you’ll find it comes out of your lungs in short, sharp bursts of laughter.