William F. Buckley Jr. and his ilk defined Conservatism for a generation of Americans as being respectful of tradition and traditional institutions that stood the test of time.
Here's a thoughtful screed on why that leads to truly ugly consequences, most notably favoring the entrenched powerful over the powerless - and ultimately undermines the social contract.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Monday, May 04, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Nutcase territory
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Carrying the Torch
The NYT profiles Ela Bhatt a Gandhian and a voice for the women of Gujarat. She combines the best aspects of personal example with a will to get things done. She grasps intuitively that without economic freedom and self-reliance there is no social progress. Truly an inspiration to not just women but also to men.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
State of the Union (Almost)
We catch the President's first speech to the joint chambers of Congress on the CNN + Facebook mashup. It's amazing how far the technology has come - people microblogging while watching live video. Someone observes that we've just seen participative democracy taken to the next level.
Barack is outstanding: on message about the challenges we face and the priorities he intends to focus on - Healthcare, Education and Energy. The Bloggers call his delivery Reagan-esque. Having never heard the Gipper speak, I can't comment but judging from the insta-polls the speech struck a chord: 67% of viewers have a favorable impression post-speech.
Apparently Bobby Jindal didn't get the memo - he blasts the President for his 'negativity' - after what was dubbed 'Morning in America II.' He might be better served by making some just-in-time edits. And that tone - Midnight informercial anyone? Pretty much everyone pans him as an unmitigated disaster - and a poster boy for the anti-intellectualism that characterizes much of the G.O.P today.
Barack is outstanding: on message about the challenges we face and the priorities he intends to focus on - Healthcare, Education and Energy. The Bloggers call his delivery Reagan-esque. Having never heard the Gipper speak, I can't comment but judging from the insta-polls the speech struck a chord: 67% of viewers have a favorable impression post-speech.
Apparently Bobby Jindal didn't get the memo - he blasts the President for his 'negativity' - after what was dubbed 'Morning in America II.' He might be better served by making some just-in-time edits. And that tone - Midnight informercial anyone? Pretty much everyone pans him as an unmitigated disaster - and a poster boy for the anti-intellectualism that characterizes much of the G.O.P today.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
That Sinking Feeling
Beware of geeks bearing equations. This article in Wired points out how our financial system was scuttled by an over-reliance on shiny new math - and needless to say, good ol' fashioned human greed and hubris, egged on right-wing politicians praying at the altar of infallible markets.
This would be an academic discussion if not for the real human cost that lies in the wake of the hurricane. Should we now tar-and-feather its high-priests?
This would be an academic discussion if not for the real human cost that lies in the wake of the hurricane. Should we now tar-and-feather its high-priests?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Meet B.C. Bundaldass!
It's funny how conversations can take unusual turns. XT and I talk about Indian women with their big, pretty kohl-lined eyes. I am immediately transported to my childhood: opening my first grade English reader, full of pages after pages of illustrations by Mario de Miranda. His signature work has always been vignettes of India, its politicians and yes - buxom women with really big, kohl-lined eyes.
We share a common love of great art and Mario's work qualifies by almost any measure. Enjoy!
We share a common love of great art and Mario's work qualifies by almost any measure. Enjoy!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Owl and the Sparrow
Xuân Thu and I catch "Owl and the Sparrow" at our beloved Kabuki Theater on V-Day. It's part of the San Francisco Film Festival and tells the tale of 10 year old Thuy who escapes her uncle's sweatshop on the outskirts of the City. She makes her way into Saigon in search of her dream - which is revealed gradually as the movie progresses. The movie also portrays the kindness of strangers - a definite anodyne to the dysfunctional nightmare of "Slumdog." There's also a sweet love side-story in there.
Stephane Gauger, the director makes a brief appearance before the start of the movie. He says there really are four protagonists: Thuy - the little girl, Hai - the zookeeper, Lan - the flight stewardess, and the City of Saigon itself.
Bonus: Pham Thi Han who makes her cinematic debut as little Thuy bears an uncanny resemblance to Xuân Thu at around the same age. What's not to like?
Please spread the word. Independent cinema needs our support.
Stephane Gauger, the director makes a brief appearance before the start of the movie. He says there really are four protagonists: Thuy - the little girl, Hai - the zookeeper, Lan - the flight stewardess, and the City of Saigon itself.
Bonus: Pham Thi Han who makes her cinematic debut as little Thuy bears an uncanny resemblance to Xuân Thu at around the same age. What's not to like?
Please spread the word. Independent cinema needs our support.
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