Nimbyism is a particularly American reflection of the material value ascribed to real estate. The materialism is expressed through the more high-minded lens of property rights or the idealistic, if often opportunistic, lens of environmental stewardship.
Limbaugh’s Oxycontin Math
Rush Limbaugh claims the November drop in the unemployment rate is questionable because it was calculated “over two days of the Thanksgiving week.” He’s wrong.
The 10 Most Ridiculous Commandments
In order for any Republican candidate to receive support from the Republican National Committee, they have to sign off on eight out of 10 newly-mandated, government-approved, “conservative” principles.
Obama’s Nobel Lecture: “Bend History”
In his Nobel peace prize lecture, Barack Obama evoked the notions of just wars to counter the irony of being “the Commander-in-Chief of the military of a nation in the midst of two wars.”
Best of the Rest: December 9, 2009
Copenhagen’s A-to-Z guide, how to know when you’re being an absolute bore, mucking up Alaska (again) and more.
A Chopin Polonaise
“Simplicity is the final achievement,” Chopin said. “After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.” [media id=4]
Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering’s origins had plenty to do with the wily efforts of Elbridge Gerry, governor of Massachusetts in 1812, whose redistricting scheme ensured that Democrats would clobber Federalists in elections.
What Health Care Reform Means for the Underinsured
Besides the nearly 50 million uninsured, some 40 to 50 million Americans are underinsured. Reform would vastly improve their lot.
Milton Berle’s “Anaconda”
Alan Zweibel was among the original writers on Saturday Night Live, back when Gerald Ford was still president. Here’s his story of coming face to face with Milton Berle’s legendary penis.
Protected: The Price of Biodiversity
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.