Blogs

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So it's 2009, and this clip, where the former Governor of Alaska and Republican nominee for Vice President "confuses" Iraq and Iran, then never notices or corrects her flub, is making its bloggy rounds. As a "gotcha" moment, it barely stands out. We could post every video of every interview she's tried to give. Or of the debate. For which I hope Joe Biden got mercifully drunk. 

But we need to stop pretending that Palin is unique. She is not a left-field choice for this generation's Republican party. She exactly meets their criteria for leadership, for decision making, and for being a good American. Her refusal to think about things she does not think about is central to this.

Most people think about Policy exactly as much as they think about theocidy or barometric medicine or metallurgy. Life is complicated however you live, and though I believe most people geek out about something, only some will about this. Which is a central challenge to any nation of citizens. Because citizenship demands participation, for better or for worse.

There are a lot of ways to participate, without being a wonk. Basic civics in primary education, and good outreach by local issue advocates and politicians, are some that I like. Reducing all debate to messianic warfare, and all voting into veneration ... that's much more popular.

This has taken on special intensity since complicated foreign policy started to kill regular people. 2001 brought new trust and a new mandate to the feet of a mediocre Administration, narrowly elected on name recognition, folksiness, and resentment of his shifty, wonkish predecessor. And now that Administration had to fight a world war, against an enemy with no capital.

It's torture to watch Sarah Palin try to answer questions she just can't. Try to show herself capable of a job the details of which escape her, of engaging a world in which she has no interest.

But remember how many people want her there. As bewildered as they are. As resentful of the geeks as they are. As scared as they are and as willing to double down on the proposition that the rightness of belief and the virtues of wholesome motherhood are all we need to battle the world. That we don't need to be afraid, or exhausted. Because anyone can do it.

Anyone can do it! 

December 2001. I am back from college, busing and prepping at a chicken wing bar in Buffalo. If you had asked, I would have identified as right of center, a UN skeptic, and a Christian.

Still. Every time I was in the prep room, this new hit song would come on the radio. And every time, I would flip out. I would be physically angry. Close to throwing raw chicken at everything in sight, like a monkey that just rested its balls on a live wire. And happened to be surrounded by chicken.

I got that they were serious. I got that this was double platinum. Looming, like a brown hair bun first appearing over the horizon, was this war we'd have to fight with ourselves. Over faith. Over certainty. And the limits of both.

So stop acting surprised.
 

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! 

You will now receive instructions on how to give thanks for Canada. 

You are welcome. 

Yeah so apparently this happened...any suspects?

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At some point there, we skated over the magic line. 15-20 games gives you the shape of a season. Depth charts come into focus, each team has at least one road trip, and plucky Toronto, the richest team in hockey, manages to win one game! Good for them! 

This sport needs demotion rules.

But the Leafs won't be forced to play high school teams any time soon, so let's look at other people on the edge.
 

TIMMY! 

My Number One Guy on the Sabres, perpetually-injured hometown hero Tim Connolly, is having a hell of a year. Thirteen points in fourteen games, playing near 20:00 in each, and two clutch game-winning goals. Like the team around him, Timmy seems to be living his potential.

And he dances!

The line on my man for years has been, he'd be a star if only he could "stay healthy." A hilarious euphimism for "he should stop getting his spine broken by 260 pound maniacs, in armor, who can skate as fast as electric cars can drive."

Read More ...
 

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And full of quality ideas.

Bizzo: What happens in Qatar is, at best, confusing.
Likewise Bahrain and the UAE.
They read like some parable island from a kid's book.
But you could take a plane there right now.
VSM: you trying to write something about that little pocket of the world?
Bizzo: I just might
Something specifically about Dubai, titled "Zeus' Fossilized Pelvis."
Mostly so I can title it "Zeus' Fossilized Pelvis."
VSM: hahaha
So it rains oil there, then? and thunders gold bars?
Bizzo: and every time lightning strikes, something is embossed in platinum.
VSM: tee hee
as long as swans aren't coming down and impregnating the women, all is well.
though I suppose there could be some who would see the swan thing as "part of the experience"
Bizzo: ...

VSM: ....mhm.
Bizzo: I'm saying your theory explains a lot.
VSM: :D

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I have been trying to post this week's content for three goddamn days. After my drunk-ass roommate forgot to pay the cable bill around Halloween. And half the pubs and cafes IN SEATTLE, don't have the advertized working internet. And this one kicks me out in half an hour.

The gods look down and laugh.

... it must have been that last post. 

I, honestly, can't believe this just fucking happened.

And my favorite reviewer, the NY Post's Kyle Smith, gave it a perfect review. 10/10. If you read between the lines.

Kinda makes me feel like ... you know.
 

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At some point this became Monster Movie Week. And an unintended event deserves a left-field ending.

I'm glad there are no demons. Driving home from PA, I felt this more strongly than any fear or pop-culture association. It was scary as fuck in the theater, but the thing didn't lose me a minute of sleep. I'm so glad. Life's so good. We're so free.

On my list of books to finally read, The Brothers Karamarzov has cut ahead in line. That's where the phrase comes from; "Without God, everything is permitted." I've been on a ten year trip from Jesus Kid to nerdy Catholic to Agnostic. And for my own life, I'd put it differently.

Without god, anything is permitted.

Read More...

The art of cutting movie trailers has advanced over the years. The art of making you piss yourself, barely.

It's notable that while I was watching and thinking about Paranormal Activity, the movie I thought most about was Ghostbusters.

... No it's not. While I eat soup the movie I think about most is Ghostbusters. At any given moment, I'm probably thinking about Ghostbusters.

But the movie I thought about most after that, was The Haunting. Which still holds up today, among films actually trying to scare you.

Silly trailer though.

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Mommy.