Mar
14
2009

URLs du Jour

2009-03-14

  • After yesterday's linkfest, I thought I was done with stem cells for awhile. But here's one more, for two good reasons: (1) it's P. J. O'Rourke; (2) he's as pissed as any serious thinker must be. In response to Obama's claim that he's against "a false choice between sound science and moral values", P. J, points out:
    A false choice means there's no choosing. The president of the United States tells us that sound science and moral values are united, in bed together. As many a coed has been assured, "Let's just get naked under the covers, we don't have to make love." Or, as the president puts it, "Many thoughtful and decent people are conflicted about, or strongly oppose this research. And I understand their concerns, and I believe that we must respect their point of view."

    Mr. President, sir, if this is your respect, I'd rather have your contempt or your waistline or something other than what you're giving me here.

  • The past couple days Pun Salad has pointed out (here and here) the Obama Administration's continued overuse of scornful references to the "(past|last) eight years", contrasted with Obama's phony inaugural disdain for "recriminations".

    It turns out Pun Salad was slightly ahead of the curve; today, the Washington Post quotes the inaugural rhetoric and notes: "It hasn't taken long for the recriminations to return." They miss the "eight years" thing, but instead concentrate on the various Administration whines about what they "inherited."

  • Genius Harvard Econ Prof Greg Mankiw is "too embarrassed" to reveal his score on this spelling quiz. As Mrs. Salad points out occasionally, I'm tough to embarrass; my score: 78%. Math is hard, but spelling's harder. Give it a go.