Why we don't read Sullivan any more:

The following words in black are from Andrew Sullivan's posts between 15 December 2002 and 8 February 2003:

The idiocy and moral callowness of some now on the left, is lead by pathetic, shallow, narcissistic and hate-filled supporters of anti-Americanism. I used to think they were stupid and arrogant, but now see that they are repulsive dispensers of cheap vitriol and ugly arguments in a hysterical and desperate display of their unremitting hatred of the president. The incoherence and reactionaryism of the anti-war left is galling, especially when one considers the vanity, coarseness, and sanctimony that accompanies their insipid flim-flam. I despise these weasels.

Who wants to read commentary infused with that vocabulary? We don't.


posted by Quiddity at 2/21/2003 08:55:00 PM

Mr. Average:

Inspired by this Washington Post editorial, which said,"... Mr. Bush's arguments rely on a misleading use of averages to make his foolhardy plan appear fair."

And,

"Mr. Bush must know how phony his "averages" are. Any time a salesman has to resort to such deceptive tactics, the customer ought to be wary about what is being sold."

From the Whitehouse website:

President Meets with Small Business Owners in Georgia (20 Feb 2003)

Under this plan, 92 million Americans receive an average tax cut of $1,083. That's fair.

We estimate that 23 million small business owners across America will receive a average income tax rate cut of $2,042. That matters.

the money the budget I submitted holds growth -- setting a priority our military, setting as a priority our homeland security, it holds growth to 4 percent on discretionary spending. That's about as much as the average America's family's income is expected to grow this year.

Remarks by the President in Forum with Small Business Owners (13 Feb 2003)

Now, that means 92 million Americans will receive an average income tax relief package of $1,083. (Applause.) And that's good.

Remarks by the President on the Economy (22 Jan 2003)

Ninety-two million Americans will keep an average of $1,083 more of their own money when this tax plan goes through. And that's good for the economy.

Twenty-three million small business owners will receive an average tax cut of $2,042 under this plan.

The average savings for somebody 65 years and older, if we get rid of the double taxation on dividends, will be $936 per year per tax return in America.

Remarks by the President on the Growth and Jobs Package (9 Jan 2003)

The average tax savings for taxpayers 65 and older who receive dividends, will be $936 per year, per tax return. That's -- that will help. That will help people.

President Bush speaks about the economy in Chicago, Illinois (7 Jan 2003)

These tax reductions will bring real and immediate benefits to middle-income Americans. Ninety-two million Americans will keep an average of $1,083 more of their own money.

posted by Quiddity at 2/21/2003 01:41:00 PM

Gergen, again:

David Gergen, as heard in a commentay on NPR's Marketplace.

[Mentions the positive stock-market action following the 1991 war in Iraq.]

With the markets now depressed, some analysts believe a quick, successful war in Iraq could bring a rise of at least 1000 points in the DOW. Call it a "Baghdad Bounce".

So too, oil prices, now at a 29 month high, could easily fall if American forces occupy Iraq. Consumers and companies would act more confidently about the future.

The president, freshly popular, would have a whip-hand in Congress to pass much of his economic program. Wheels would turn, and if the economy starts growing at 4% within a year, as Karl Rove reportedly wants, jobs will be created, voters will be happy, and Bush could cruise to reelection, bringing more Republicans to Congress. And then - and then - carry out the most dramatic conservative revolution in memory.

That's the dream scenario in the White House.

You may like parts of it, and find the rest terrifying.

But there it is.

Remember, this is the normally staid, low-key Gergen speaking.


posted by Quiddity at 2/20/2003 03:06:00 PM

A picture is worth a thousand words:

From the newswires:



posted by Quiddity at 2/18/2003 07:55:00 PM

A perfect match?

From Paul Johnson's A History of Christianity (B&N, Amazon: 1976, 18th edition, page 365f):

[Speaking of the mid 1700's, and John Locke's "modernizing" influence]

... the Church of England went a long way towards satisfying the needs of the commercial middle classes of the towns, and it did so without driving a wedge between science and learning on the one hand, and institutional religion on the other. But it had nothing to offer to the lower orders, in particular to the swelling proletariat of the new industrial cities. Moreover, in its anxiety to dispel dangerous 'enthusiasm' and avoid any kind of fanaticism, it presented a Christianity which was part cerebral, part ceremonial, and wholly purged emotion.

[But at about the same time, John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, emerged.]

[John Wesley's] Christianity was almost totally devoid of intellectual content. It had no doctrinal insights. It was wholly ethical and emotional. ...

He discovered that religious enthusiasm was an ephemeral thing unless it was harnessed to a carefully defined structure, periodically galvanized by meetings, and given a chance to express itself in regular, planned and arduous activities. ... [Members] pledged themselves to take part in activities such as Bible-meetings, sewing for charity, and so forth. He produced regulations about clothes, food and drink, ornaments, money, buying and selling, and language. There was strict ... personal discipline. ...

[They were] like the early Christians, whom they resembled in some ways, especially in their charitable organizations ...

President Bush is a Methodist.

And today, this story about Bush's frequent use of religious language. (AP) Excerpt:

"This president is using general references and, beyond that, terminology and vocabulary that come straight out of a very particular religious tradition, which is evangelical Christianity," said the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, a Louisiana pastor and executive director of the Interfaith Alliance Foundation, an umbrella interfaith group.

"I think his rhetoric implies a lack of appreciation for the vast pluralism of religion in this nation," Gaddy said.

posted by Quiddity at 2/18/2003 06:23:00 PM

A sort of Light Gold, by the looks of it:

Bush administration considering lowering the Threat Level from Orange (news item)



posted by Quiddity at 2/18/2003 05:12:00 PM

Iraq war resource page:

The Washington Post has a web page which contains links to 31 essays about Iraq and related topics. There are big names (Carter, Shultz, Baker), essayists (Kinsley, Fukuyama), politicians (B. Dole, Z. Miller), and much more.

Extra credit question: Why is Bob Dole writing in the Post, and not Liddy? After all, she's a Senator.

posted by Quiddity at 2/16/2003 12:53:00 PM

This is what happens when you don't have a President in charge:

From the Observer (is this the Guardian's international face?):

America is to punish Germany for leading international opposition to a war against Iraq. The US will withdraw all its troops and bases from there and end military and industrial co-operation between the two countries - moves that could cost the Germans billions of euros.

The plan - discussed by Pentagon officials and military chiefs last week on the orders of Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld - is designed 'to harm' the German economy to make an example of the country ...

'We are doing this for one reason only: to harm the German economy,' one source told The Observer last week.   ...   Another Pentagon source said: 'The aim is to hit German trade and commerce. It is not just about taking out the troops and equipment; it is also about cancelling commercial contracts and defence-related arrangements.'

The Pentagon plan - and the language expressed by officials close to Rumsfeld - has horrified State Department officials, who believe that bullying other countries to follow the US line will further exacerbate anti-Americanism ...

Under these plans, the US would move its troops in Europe eastwards to countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states, all of which have strongly supported America's line against Saddam Hussein.

Was this approved by the Commander in Chief? Who's running the show?

Instapundit takes this story lightly because "it's largely based on anonymous sources", but two sources were cited, which makes us think it's genuine.

posted by Quiddity at 2/16/2003 12:08:00 PM

Picas-so-nice!

U.S. proposes slight modification to Picasso's Guernica at the U.N. (so that it won't upset pro-war diplomats)



posted by Quiddity at 2/16/2003 10:30:00 AM

What the hell is that book doing here?





NOTE: Further testing reveals that the "Shopping on MSN" features different books and vendors. They are usually politically oriented (e.g. Woodward's Bush at War), and not always conservative.

Yikes! Now it's The O'Reilly Factor they're promoting.

posted by Quiddity at 2/16/2003 07:47:00 AM

It all depends on where you're sitting:

In a pro-SUV Op-Ed in the New York Times, Woody Hochswender writes:

... if some drunken driver veers across the center divider — a situation I have no control over — I would prefer that my 9-year-old and I not be inside a Corolla.       ... S.U.V.'s are safer in many situations than cars.

But that's only one case (drunken driver in sedan, family in SUV). How about:

... if some drunken driver veers across the center divider — a situation I have no control over — I would prefer that the drunk driver not be inside an SUV.       ... S.U.V.'s are more dangerous in many situations than cars.

posted by Quiddity at 2/16/2003 07:28:00 AM