In politics, all things are just a matter of time, a matter of the right moment. In a piece in the New York Times today, Anand Giridharadas announces the discovery that Sarah Palin is not any kind of conventional Republican, and that she has some big ideas that threaten the political class on both sides of the partisan divide. Quoting liberally from Palin’s recent speech in Iowa, the writer asks: “Is there a hint of a political breakthrough hiding in there?” [Read more →]
It’s an issue that might not be very sexy, but don’t doubt its importance. Texas Governor Rick Perry has already made it crystal clear that tort reform is one of the pillars of his prescription for economic recovery, and it is something he has implemented in Texas in a dramatic manner. [Read more →]
It now seems certain that a massive catastrophe is going to hit New York City this weekend.
I am not, however, referring to Hurricane Irene. Neither am I imagining another great earthquake like that of a few days ago.
I am referring instead to the decision by Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo to have all public transportation shut down beginning at 12 noon tomorrow. (The hurricane, or whatever remains of it at that point, is due to be over New York City the following day: Sunday.) This includes all subway trains, city buses, commuter railways in the area—everything. As far as I know, this is completely unprecedented; i.e. for a complete system-wide shutdown to be announced a day in advance, for what will presumably be the best part of 48 hours. [Read more →]
Sometimes it’s embarrassing to live in the media capital of the world. Anything that affects New York City gets massive news coverage, no matter how minor it is on a true scale. No wonder the rest of the country hates us. It remains to be seen whether there was any significant damage from this quake down near the epicenter in Virginia, but in New York City it was just an unusual and interesting experience. Personally, I was at home in my pre-WWI walk-up apartment building, when the room started to wobble. It was not so unlike when a big truck passes by, except that there was no sound of any truck—no sound of anything. And it was more wobbly. And it continued for an inordinate number of seconds. I immediately thought that it could well be an earthquake, although I’d never felt one before. However, it was so minor that I also doubted what I was feeling, and especially so after it had stopped. I looked out the window and failed to see hordes of panicking people. A remark by a talk radio host based in the city a couple of minutes later confirmed to me that I hadn’t imagined it and that it wasn’t an event limited to my building. [Read more →]
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is leaving the race for the Republican presidential nomination, after finishing third in the Iowa straw poll. I’m a little surprised, but I guess after the enormous work he put into doing well in Iowa, it’s all-but-impossible for him to make the case to donors that he continues to have a practical shot at winning the nomination. I think it’s a pity, because I think that Pawlenty had the best fundamentals of any declared candidate, in terms of record and substance—at least until yesterday when Perry entered the race. [Read more →]
“I will work every day to make Washington, D.C. as inconsequential in your lives as I can.”
It’s interesting to search on YouTube right about now for recently uploaded clips of Rick Perry. In the past day, a massive number of anti-Perry clips have been added. It reflects a frantic effort to define him negatively at the starting post, but is largely pointless, since the clips will only be watched by those who have already made up their minds (or never really needed to make up their minds). [Read more →]
In Los Alamitos, California, a man woke up yesterday and heard the news of the 30 American troops killed in the crashed Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan. He went to the corner of a thoroughfare in that town, and stood, holding an American flag. He stood there, with no other sign or message. He was there for 10 hours. As the day wore on, in addition to the passing cars that honked their horns, about twenty other people joined him with their own flags and with cardboard signs. The man was Joseph Brito, a member of the California National Guard. (Story from the Coronado Patch.) I think that his reaction sums up how a lot of people felt—speechless, but desiring to pay respect somehow. He found a good way. [Read more →]
Spain’s Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero has been forced to postpone his holiday as investors continue to flee his country’s debt.
Mr Zapatero had been due to leave for south-west Spain.
But on Tuesday, the yield on Spanish bonds reached 4.04 percentage points more than German debt – a record since the euro was introduced in 1999.
[...]
“The prime minister has postponed the start of his holidays,” Mr Zapatero’s spokesperson said. “He is keeping an eye on the international economic situation.”
A few days ago U2 (or at least Bono and L’Edge) performed their song “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” at their tour stop in Minneapolis, and dedicated it that night to a woman named Amy—a soulful and stylish singer who wasn’t around long enough to scratch the surface of what she might do.
I’m dedicating this particular posting of the tune to Hideki Irabu, a former major league pitcher in America (born in Japan), who died yesterday at the age of 42. When he was a New York Yankee, he didn’t perform at the level many expected, but as a fan I always liked him for the fact that he had wanted above all to be a Yankee.
U2 have written quite a few songs that are kind-of modern day spirituals in one way or another; it’s obviously a mark that they try to hit. I don’t think they’ve ever hit it more squarely than with “Stuck In a Moment.”
And if the night runs over
And if the day won’t last
And if your way should falter
Along the stony pass
It’s just a moment
This too shall pass
