Why I am not a Conservative

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.

El Cap

Looking back at the first successful climb up El Cap, 50 years ago...

Nutcase territory

From the New York Times: Gail Collins wields her wit on Arlen Specter's ditching the Party of Theocrats, torture supporters and 'free-market' lovers for more salubrious climes.

An interesting comment - one that I totally agree with - here.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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.

The Abyss

This is how close we came to the end of our economic system last September. A sobering reminder that we must act now, triaging to keep the patient alive even in the face of uncertainty. I've heard Michael Steele and the other Republicans sing the tune of fiscal responsibility and lowered taxes - and stonewalling against Barack to score political points. That's all the ideas they have - regurgitating Ronald Reagan. Intellectually bankrupt. And on the wrong side of history.

First Photographer

Does this guy have the best job in the world or what? Pardon the obligatory pre-roll ad...

Street Cred

Street Art finally gets the legitimate respect it deserves. I love the fact that street artists thumb their nose at the arts establishment/snobs and create timeless art in the process - I've always been turned off by things that divide the world into the 'in crowd' and everyone else - the culture equivalent of "Whites-Only" country clubs that still dot the South. Money quote from Shepard Fairey, "I'm trying to reach as many people as possible."

The Commute Never Looked So Good

This rocks...

Pu'Er Tea Mania

In the long, illustrious (not) line of bubbles stretching from Tulip-Mania, Dot-Bombs, here's some nice soothing tea.

Life on Mars Countdown

I'm really hoping that microbes are responsible for the Methane detected in the Martian Atmosphere. I am certain that in my lifetime life on other systems will not only be found but will have been found to be commonplace. Bugs everywhere!

Israel and India Together

I think the unspeakable horrors that transpired in Mumbai my hometown, will bring the great nations of Israel and India even closer together - with the blessings of the US. I admire the determination of the Israeli government to go after terrorists - and I suspect we've not heard the last of their involvement in bringing the LeT and their backers to justice.

My City Burns

Mumbai is caught unawares in perhaps the deadliest terrorist strike in a long time. I think it way past time before the Islamic Fundamentalists likely behind this latest outrage be brought to rough justice. And their silent backers be wiped from the face of this Earth.

For now our prayers are with those that lost their loved ones - and we give thanks for the fact that our families are out of harm's way.

Elephants for God!

The battle for the 'hem soul of the G.O.P has been joined. If that party has to have a smidgen of a chance of staying relevant to the lives of Americans, they must jettison the religious crazies from their midst. So says Kathleen Parker, now persona-non-grata with the Religious Wrong.

How bad does it get?

This bad. Michael Lewis reprises his take on Wall Street in "Liar's Poker," this time turning his eye to the great crash of 2008.

Will.We.Can

That new song sure is catchy...

Down 640K Lane

Wired waxes nostalgic about Windows - right from the Windows 1.0 days. I came of age as a DOS and Windows hacker - which is how I landed my first job at IBM, writing Device Drivers and OS Extensions. Those were the fun days. Nothing compares to writing (yes, it's an art) code.