GPS + cell-phones = no one is safe.
A Liberal Defense of Human Rights
Norm Geras differs from my conservatism and Ramesh Ponnuru’s Christianism.
Fun With Squiggly Lines
A graphic art time-waster. Most cool. Even cooler: a flash animated kaleidsocope thingy.
Norman Borlaug, American Hero
Can I second Gregg Easterbrook, Glenn Reynolds and Glenn’s reader, Richard Fagin? Pioneers of new technology and new medicine are rarely regarded as humanitarians by the media or the liberal intelligentsia. But they may do more to improve and save people’s lives than any benevolent government or charity worker. I’m not saying charity-workers do not deserve our support and praise. I’m saying that the definition needs to be expanded. But that would include the drug companies, wouldn’t it?
Snort!
A nasal spray to counter shyness:
The researchers say that the spray harnesses the powers of a feel-good hormone called oxytocin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved in social recognition and bonding.
The mammalian hormone is produced naturally by the body when a person is in love, and it also induces labour in pregnant women. The spray contains a synthetic version of it, created in the laboratory.
University researcher Dr Markus Heinrichs says that the spray was found to "dramatically" change the behaviour of 70 adults during a study. He says that all study participants had stopped feeling anxious, and started to engage better with others in the group.
(Hat tip: Integral Options.)
Face of the Day
Harry Potter fans queue outside a bookshop in central London, 19 July 2007, as they await the release of the seventh and final book by JK Rowling entitled "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows" which goes on sale in Britain and worldwide from midnight Friday. The fans have come from as far afield as the Netherlands, Belgium and Finland and a batch of devotees from the United States are expected soon. By Leon Neal/AFP/Getty.
Neocon Joke Update
A variation:
Q. How many paleocons does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A. It’s not our job to go screwing in light bulbs. Let the light bulb change itself.
An Iraq Debate Post-Mortem
Spackerman offers a helpful guide to what the hell just didn’t happen.
Iraq and the Right
More debate. Jeff Jacoby tows toes the line:
But for all the clamor to quit Iraq, there is little serious discussion of just what quitting will mean.
Not on this blog where I’ve been writing and thinking about that as honestly as I can. Rod Dreher counters:
The ugly truth is, the only way there’s going to be a settled peace in Iraq is if the two (at least two) sides fight it out, and separate their populations. If we were to stay there with current troop strength for 30 years, this would still be the case. We are a superpower, but we are not omnipotent.
Alas, our president appears unaware of his lack of omnipotence. He decides and the world must obey, right? And when it doesn’t, he just decides a little more loudly.
Romney Attacks Obama
For a position he once held himself.
