Category: The Dish

If, like me, you find the concept of a flat tax the most appealing domestic proposal currently on the table, then you might think of moving to Moscow or, now, Sofia. The flat tax is taking Eastern Europe by storm, and will doubtless help their economies to thrive. The U.S., in stark contrast, looks likely to retain its archaic forms of redistributionism.

Jim Fallows has a deeply disturbing, must-read post, that takes the issue to an entirely new level.

The concept of total personal responsibility for criminal acts keeps getting murkier under the forgiving gaze of science. Small print here.

"We are sitting in a room that because of lights, we assume that there is electricity in the building. Electricity can light the room or burn it down; it does not mean electricity does not exist because it burns a building down, or that it is inherently wicked. Clearly people have misused God, as they have misused other things that are possibly positive, but its existence is not in any way proved or disproved by you giving me a long diatribe on those that have mishandled and misused God …

I would say that many people, I among them, in our own lives have had experiences that make me believe that there is a God. And make me believe that my seeking God and seeking the guidance of a supreme being is real to me. I’m not going by Moses, I’m not going by Peter, I’m not going by the man that you said was a legend, Jesus of Nazareth. … I’m not here to defend Scriptures. I didn’t write those Scriptures. I live my life, and in my life the existence of God has been confirmed to me in my own personal dealings and in my own faith being vindicated and validated. That has absolutely nothing to do with Scriptures, whether they are right or wrong," – Al Sharpton debating Hitch in New York City. A full account of the debate can be found here.

From the Jerusalem Post:

The International Herald Tribune newspaper has defended its acceptance of an advertisement seeking bids for two large scale nuclear reactors in Iran. The ad appeared on April 20, including in the edition of the IHT distributed with the English version of the Haaretz daily.

Inviting bidders to help in the construction of two pressurized light water reactors in the Bushehr province, the ad also ran in the Financial Times on April 25. This despite growing concern over Iran’s nuclear proliferation program, particularly in the light of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s repeated threats of destruction against Israel.

Hey, it’s a tough ad market for news on dead trees.

The Gap’s new clothing line:

It costs money to dine with the Queen.

"So we hear that James McGreevey, the gay former governor of New Jersey, is joining an Anglican seminary in New York? This man, raised as a Roman Catholic, is entering a denomination whose American chapters are known for their enthusiasm for ordaining homosexual clergy. The church even has a gay bishop! My thoughts about why McGreevey is taking this unusual step? Do sing along with me.

Where the boys are, someone waits for me
A smiling face, a warm embrace
Two arms to hold me tenderly …"

– Dinesh D’Souza, on AOL.

"It’s an article of faith in Republican circles that Congress should not impose deadlines on the U.S. troop presence in Iraq. But should deadlines be off limits in the Iraq debate? Maybe at this point, a deadline for the Iraqi government wouldn’t be a bad thing," – Byron York, NRO.

A reader writes:

As you know, I have been staying at the hospital with my partner as he recuperates from his knee surgery. I usually spend most of my time with him, but go home every 2-3 days to bring in the mail and check on the house.

This afternoon when I pulled in the driveway, I saw writing on the garage door. At first I thought it said "1-A9," and thought "did PG&E mark the house for some reason?" Then, a few seconds later, the meaning fell into place:  F A G.

I was floored. I’ve been out only about 14 years, and this is the first time I can remember feeling any sense of abuse or hatred in my direction. (At least from a stranger — one of my brothers is a different story.) It felt like a punch to the gut does. I realize this seems like pretty minor stuff in comparison to some hate crimes. But I’m amazed that it happened in my quiet, very suburban cul-de-sac in Marin County, California.

Talk to the hand.