AARDVARK

The rally squad’s task is to use their signs and banners as shields between ther demonstrators and the main press platform. If the demonstrators are yelling, rally squads can begin and lead supportive chants to drown out the protestors (USA! USA! USA!). […] The rally squads can include, but are not limited to, college/young republican organizations, local [...]

1542: Pope Paul III establishes the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition 1796: Robert Burns dies 1919: A dirigible crashes through the skylight of a Chicago bank, killing thirteen people 1925: John T. Scopes is found guilty of teaching science in Tennessee 1972: George Carlin is arrested for being funny at Summerfest in Milwaukee 1984: A robot [...]

A robust knowledge economy or a new plasma TV? That's the choice Kiwis have been offered in recent years and I fear we're about to reap the results of making a really bad decision.

I had an amazing afternoon yesterday at Terrame. I had never had a professional facial before and it was an amazing luxury. The technician complemented me on how nice and well cared for my skin is…I am sure she had no idea how much that meant to me after the battle I have [...]

Scout seems to be feeling better today. She was a bit puny this morning but after a 4 hour nap…she seemed to perk up. She is busying around right now. She has had diarrhea several times today but we are used to that! I think by tomorrow she will be back to [...]

Minimum order: twenty-four. President George Bush First Family Cookies

For those who care, I just recorded a short interview about the new developments in the Sunni insurgency for The World, which airs on NPR tonight in many markets - but I don't know about yours! - and will also...

Seems like the War on Poverty pretty much consists of attempting to eradicate the poor by helping them die faster. The Federal Emergency Management Agency since early 2006 has suppressed warnings from its own field workers about health problems experienced by hurricane victims living in government-provided trailers with levels of a toxic chemical 75 times the [...]

1801: A gargantuan cheese is pressed from the milk of nine hundred or so “Republican” cows—a gift for Thomas Jefferson 1969: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” [wav] [vid] 1976: Viking I lands on Mars

I am currently conducting various experiments to reduce the heat in my non-airconditioned workplace. My previous experiment consisted of switching off nine of the eighteen computers in the reference library (which is pretty deserted during vacation time anyway) and putting up signs asking the readers to not switch them on unless all the remaining computers are occupied. A few hours later, temperatures did indeed seem to be somewhat lower than usual. Currently, I am trying to figure out whether putting large amounts of tinfoil on my office window merely makes the office darker, or if it also keeps out the heat a bit. So far I can confirm that the room is definitely darker, but I'm not sure if it has become any cooler.

Scout is not going to daycare today. It is all part of her master plan (I am sure of it). She went to bed last night about 8pm. When Steve and I headed to bed about 10, he went in to check on her and she was shivering. He started to [...]

Woman mistakes stuffed toy for masked crook

Generation Chickenhawk: With the College Republicans (YouTube)

Austria is currently succumbing to a massive heat wave. This is having interesting side-effects. An Indian restaurant I wanted to go to yesterday was closed "because of excessive heat". You'd expect Indians to be able to deal with the heat. Possibly the owner thought that he wouldn't have any customer with temperatures like these; however, the Indian restaurant I went to instead was full of people who didn't mind spicy food in hot weather. The big political news was apparently that the opposition parties claimed that public transport couldn't be used any longer due to the lack of air conditioning; apparently one of them (haven't found the source yet) complained that temperatures inside the subway trains was 34°C. With outside temperatures well over 37°C you'd think that 34°C should be considered pleasant. Anyway, since there is nothing else to worry about at the moment, Austrians were polled about what they thought about the heat, and 87% thought the heat wave was basically a good thing. More interesting, however, were two other results from the same poll: 69% said that they found sweating people disgusting, whereas 75% noticed an increased sex drive due to the heat. Combined, these two results may disclose more about people's sex habits than they wanted to reveal.

… and the kibble and the mousie: 15 Unfortunately Placed Ads (Oddee) Thanks, Ignatz!

I just want to draw attention to a really important story about Iraq, which could easily get lost in the questions about the Mashhadani capture - the report in the Guardian about the moves to cement the public political profile...

Compared to the feats of, say, IVF, or the birth-control pill, or bone-marrow transplantation, the challenges of a male pregnancy seem trivial. But when you throw gender in a blender, people freak out. This leads me to believe, as Patrick hypothesizes, that the first cases of male pregnancy, whenever they are, will arise out of dire [...]

1692: Five Massachusetts women are executed for witchcraft 1848: The first Woman’s Rights Convention begins in Seneca Falls, New York 1937: Nazi Entarte Kunst (“degenerate art”) exhibition opens 1984: Geraldine Ferraro is nominated by the Democratic Party, becoming the first woman from a major political party to run for the office of US vice president

This is what I am doing today! A Taste of Terrame

Yesterday was Scout’s second day at “school.” She cried again….I cried again. I watched her on the web cam off and on during the day…and she seemed to be doing a little better. When I picked her up she was sitting listening to a story…when she saw me she jumped up and [...]

Three interesting developments to note in the Iraqi Sunni insurgency file. First, there's the US military's announcement that they captured Khalid Mashhadani two weeks ago. If true, that would be a major accomplishment, since from all I know he is...

1. Two nicknames that friends and family call me: Aardvark and Ra 2. Two items of clothing/accessories I would never get rid of: orange leather messenger purse, denim Gap jacket 3. Two movies that I can watch over and over again: The Shawshank Redemption, Sleepless [...]

For dinner…tonight or tomorrow. Scout and I would love to see you!

Shekira (of Shekira.com fame) sent me this link this morning. Scout totally needs one!

The Baby Jesus is somewhat of a dog whisperer. Her dog Bonnie is fabulous. I think she must of realized what dog losers Steve and I are…and took pity on us! Miss Maudie has gone to stay with The Baby Jesus for a while to see if she can learn something! Yeah for [...]

Scout started daycare today. We are starting her out part-time to let her adjust before school starts and I go back to work. I hate it. I know people have to put their children in daycares all the time but that doesn’t make it easier when it is your own. I [...]

Is porn still king of internet content? Could a Kiwi porn company be about to infiltrate our investment institutions and offer shares to anyone that wants them - even your grandmother?

Today Scout, Kendall and I met Jamie at Red Robin for lunch. We had a lovely lunch but towards the end Scout started being evil. We got ready to leave and Kendall was going to get Scout out of the high chair. Kendall said “Ra Ra there is something on her chair.” [...]

For those who care, I just recorded a 10 minute interview for NPR's Day to Day program about developments in the Sunni insurgency and the dangers of the over-emphasis on al-Qaeda in Iraq. Barring unforseen circumstances, it should run today...

Yes, I know, I know, it's one of those ridiculous stories which capture the attention of journalists in the heat of the summer when everything's going to you know where. But I can't help myself. No, not Paris Hilton. I...

Another small step down the road to fascism

No time to go into as much detail as I'd like, but I wanted to draw attention to two fascinating exchanges recently about Islamism and secularism in the Arab public sphere. First, the most popular political program in the Arab...

A lot of bloggers have been complaining about the recent American tendency to describe every insurgent attack in Iraq as al-Qaeda. They are right to complain, simply on the facts. Al-Qaeda's Islamic State of Iraq coalition continues to represent only...

1690: Battle of the Boyne [Billy] 1691: Battle of Aughrim 1817: Henry David Thoreau is born [works] 1895: Bucky Fuller is born 1998: Three children are murdered in a loyalist arson attack in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland

I can't really explain. Just no real desire. Lots to write about. Lots of posts planned and even drafted in my head. Just never typed. I'm still here. I'm still alive. If any of that had changed, I'd have mentioned...

Dear Old Man Down the Street, Please put on a shirt when you mow the yard. I do not want to have to witness the sight of you 80 year old man boobs vibrating in time with the lawn mower ever again. All the best, Aardvark Dear 300lb Woman at Wal-Mart, It is not ok for you to wear [...]

180 Trillion Leisure Hours Lost To Work Last Year

Cache Misere, “Mal ô mains” (YouTube) Last.fm played me this song by Sanseverino, and this is a cover version. I quite like it, et j’ai mal aux mains. If you want to hear Sanseverino doing a different song, here’s one. (I was unable to find a website for the other band.)

I am so excited that we have book club tonight I might do a little dance! I get to see my friends and pretend to be intellectual all at one time! I have to admit…I didn’t love the book. I know it has met with great critical acclaim … but I just [...]

Happy Birthday Julie! Thirty is no big deal. Look how well I have done Susanna is doing it….and she is always fabulous! I was totally freaked out about turning 30 for a while and then I decided not to care. It totally makes you a grown up. Plus it’s not like you look 30. HAPPY [...]

1274: Robert the Bruce is born 1804: Alexander Hamilton is fatally wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr 1937: George Gershwin dies [blue] 1957: Peter Murphy is born [Lugosi] 1979: Skylab plummets

I had a great time last night drinking adult beverages with a collection of Jordanian academics and journalists, whose identities don't need to be divulged here but who certainly do not agree on all things political. Every one of them...

The other day I was having a bad day. I decided that retail therapy would be the best route. I started shopping. I called Steve and had the following conversation… Steve: Hello Me: Hey…whatcha doing? Steve: Working. What’s up? Me: I am having a bad day. Steve: Why? Me: I don’t know. Steve: Is there something I can [...]

We just got home from my parent’s house where we had a lovely dinner! Fried shrimp, rosemary potatoes, peas, and salad. Then because we are crazy….The Baby Jesus and i decided we would make homemade fried apple pies. Neither of us had ever made them…but that was not going to stop us. [...]

Sorry for not posting the last week other than the delicious tags. Still adjusting to the move down to DC, working out child care issues, and blah blah blah. In my meager defense, though, I did manage to write a...

1856: Nikola Tesla is born (or maybe on the day before) [patents] [museum] [vid: wizard] 1862: Emperor Norton demands a blessing: “We do hereby command the Leaders of the Hebrew, Catholic and Protestant Churches to sanctify and have us crowned Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.” 1871: Marcel Proust is born 1886: “Cap” Streeter [...]

Steve introduced me to Pownce. I like it. If you want to try it let me know and I will send you and invite. It is what all the cool kids are playing with. I feel like I don’t see my friends enough. I need to have more friend time. [...]

DO NOT EAT

The Rotund Bounder You scored 38 % malaise and 65 % joie de vivre! You enjoy life and are only considered Chappy because, in general, you do not want to be considered Chappy. There is nothing offered to you, by way of food and drink, that you would ever refuse. For this, you have paid the price [...]

Big Mama Thornton, “Hound Dog” (YouTube) Willa Mae bio

I just like the sound of the words “fundamental conundrum.”

Yesterday the family ran errands together. We had to take the Jeep in for routine service…so while we were on that end of town we indulged in some delicious Atlanta Bread Company. While we were ordering the lady at the register kept going on and on about how much Scout looks like Steve. [...]

I know people come and read my site…I can see the traffic. Sadly I seldom see comments from anyone but Sarah and Susanna. So I beg of you….come out into the light and comment! EDIT**please note that Jamie is a regular commenter as well**

Steve and I went to see Transformers last night. It was really very good. It was pretty much what you would expect…lots of special effects. I enjoyed it. I use to watch the cartoon…so it was nostalgic. I was emailing with Sarah about it earlier and I found myself actually [...]

My friend (and new colleague) Henry Farrell has created a new blog platform to identify and disseminate political science research which should be of interest to a wider public. Welcome to the political science papers blog, which seeks to serve...

Islamist lawyer Montasir al-Zayat recently surprised a conference at the Al-Ahram Center in Cairo by announcing the formation of a new political party. Zayat is a colorful personality, a one-time confidant of Ayman al-Zawahiri, he broke with him by advocating...

Hereabouts, the Coca Cola corporation is currently busy marketing "Coca Cola Zero", a new product with a black label that has "zero sugar, full taste". Incidentally, they have been selling a similar product with a silver label called "Coca Cola Light" for years, which, according to the label, also contains no sugar. In fact, the list of ingredients and the nutritional table on both drinks is identical. The one discernible difference that I noticed is that the new "full taste" product tastes singificantly more watery than the old one. Otherwise it's more or less the same product in a different bottle. I wonder why they even bother. Of course I am talking about the same company that got into the headlines a few years back for selling bottled tap water - not that they're the only ones doing this. In other news, I was recently asked whether the old Pulp Fiction quote is really true and the Quarterpounder is really called "Royale with Cheese" in Europe. It is. Incidentally, when McDonalds opened its first restaurants in Germany and Austria in the late 1970s, the Quarterpounder was called "Viertelpfünder", which is a pretty accurate translation of Quarterpounder into German. However, subsequent marketing research showed that the product didn't sell too well because people thought it sounded too fat and unhealthy. So, contrary to what John Travolta claims it's not because of the metric system that it was renamed, but simply to make the company's most calorie-heavy product (505kcal) sound slightly healthier. Present-time transitory perversities such as the 881kcal "Bratl-Burger" were not an issue back then.