Scott McClellan on How the Bush White House Works

Scott McClellan Digs at Rove, Cheney

Nonhysteria

Here's a non-hysterical, reasoned (and rather lengthy) editorial on gay marriage from the Los Angeles Times. It makes an important point ignored by the people overreacting to the legalization of gay marriage: It is a profoundly conservative act to allow same-sex marriage, not a left-wing radical act that undercuts marriage. Good job, LA Times.

$170 Ticket

I received a ticket this morning for $170 for crossing the street in the middle of the block near the BART station in my neighborhood in San Francisco. (I'll spare you the snarky comments about how we've got a spate of car break-ins and armed robberies in the neighborhood and how that would be a better use of our scarce police resources.) From what I hear, this is an effort by the city to fill a gap in the budget by going after minor infractions that don't usually get enforced. There has also been a sudden appearance of "denver boots" showing up on cars throughout the city (denver boots are clamps put on wheels to render the car immobile, usually done as a result of unpaid traffic tickets) and cars have been ticketed for not turning their wheels toward the curb on even minor inclines. So, I see it as a $170 donation to the city's financial difficulties.

But to expound on this a moment, doesn't it seem a bit silly to ticket people for jaywalking? I mean, if a citizen is too stupid to know not to step in front of a moving vehicle, aren't they likely also too stupid to know how to make decisions on referenda and other complicated voting matters?

Though if we started ticketing people $170 for making stupid choices in the voting booth, it would at least provide some money to undo the damages done by their stupid choices ...

:)

You, too, Can Play Police State!

Amazon.com's customers provide a refreshing reminder of the power of outspoken black humor, as they write scathing reviews of a Playmobil airport security check point.

Bush's Third Term?

For more great Lyle Lahey political cartoons, see here or maybe over here.

Daniel Libeskind and the Musical Architect

Famed architect Daniel Libeskind told an audience at The Commonwealth Club of California that he came to architecture late in life. Earlier, he had been a musician – and his choice of instrument might surprise some (though not Weird Al).

Daniel Libeskind on the Fire at the Berlin Philharmonie

Famed architect Daniel Libeskind answered questions from the audience at an appearance today at San Francisco's Commonwealth Club of California. One question was whether the building of the Berlin Philharmonie (Berlin Philharmonic) should retain its original, 1960's modernist look in any reconstruction. Libeskind says it should, in a short response.

Arianna Huffington on Politics and the Media

More Huffington, this time on one of her favorite (or least favorite?) topics: The role the media plays in setting or warping the political dialogue in this country.
She also has a few nice things to say about Hillary Clinton. Unfortunately, I only got a bit of that part in this tape (too slow on the "on" button), but you can read her blog on the topic here.

Arianna Huffington on Why the GOP Is in Dire Straits

Huffington Post Editor Arianna Huffington spoke today at The Commonwealth Club of California. As part of her tour for her latest book (Right Is Wrong), she was making her case that the far right has taken over the Republican Party and driven it over a cliff.
Watch the video clip. More to come.