Patrick Beach at the Austin-American Statesman ran an article on the current fight for an inch: Regulation, Legislation and Fun You Can’t Have with Texas Beer: the patchwork of Texas’ beer laws satisfies almost no one.
My summary of it: beer distributers are engaging in anti-Texas behavior. Texas legislators are weak and willing to bow to the political will of the distributors.
But you’re welcome to read the article yourself if you don’t like my interpretation.
The Illinois Governor accused of wanting sizable favors/bribes in return for appointment to the US Senate, Bolgojevic, has just announced an appointment of Ronald Burris to that position.
The president elect and the Senate are on vacation, as is most of the political media between Christmas and New Year.
I just saw Mr. Burris on the December 30th Rachel Maddow show (iTunes) and I am always bewildered when anyone running for or in public office, especially someone with so much experience, doesn’t have a good answer for the obvious question.
Why did you accept this, obviously tainted, appointment?
Mr. Burris stammered on trying to defend the appointment. Don’t defend the appointment! Defend the acceptance of it!
The correct answer: Governor Blogo seemed hell bent to defy the mainstream wishes that he not appoint someone. He felt the need to prove his is still relevant, and it didn’t seem I could disuade him of this action. Given that, and my lifelong desire to be a servant to the citizens of this state, I thing I can be a great voice for them in the Senate. Were I to pass up this appointment, I don’t know what other person he might choose.
It continues to amaze me how candidates and spokes persons continually don’t provide what seems to me to be the obvious answer. Often Ego is the problem; practicing humility will help.
The juxtaposition of two videos I saw today is eerily representative of the current state of American affairs.
The national hero, Buzz Aldrin, speaking on the future of space travel. It all sounds great, unless you listen to more that five contiguous words and try to make a coherent concept out of them.
Obviously Xeni Jardin had a great opportunity to interview such an important man, and couldn’t let the footage go to waste. The inanity is somewhat like a bus wreck. A bus full of parakeets juggling crystal goblets. Shiny.
The other interview was Bill Moyers talking to Andrew J. Bacevich (includes transcript). I actually only heard the audio to this one, though the video snips I did watch made it that much more revealing.
This almost hour of discussion is one that every American should be required to listen to and ruminate on. But we’re much more likely to watch the first one and yell “Go, Buzz!” (Hey, despite the incoherence, I did.)
Such is America’s attention span, and such will be its downfall.
I think I may have to go back and listen to Bacevich again. He did such a good job of relating his points, and the discussion was thick with content.
[Edit: a few days later SciAm had a cogent interview with Buzz. Seems like Xeni just had the bad luck of catching him when he had brain overload – apparently he’s been on a publicity tour of late for several things.]
I never would have thought I would hear “running for office” and “XKCD” in the same sentence, toss in “Kansas” and I’d be sure I’d never hear it.
I’d be wrong…
My name is Sean Tevis [photo]. I’m an Information Architect in Kansas running for State Representative. I’m going to win. This is my story (XKCD homage style) so far…
I was reading my Alcalde, because I am a lifetime member of the TexasExes, and I was struck by the one of the award winners. It’s actually not surprising to me, having attended there. They have a Distinguished Alumni award and this year there were six recipients. (I assume there are usually six recipients.) They graduated from the University of Texas at quite varied times (1943-1986). They have led quite varied lives (US Ambassador, actress, CEO, general rich guy from oil, president of one of the UT sister schools. Three have been UT regents (hmmm). They live in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, New York. But the most interesting is
Salam Fayyad, PhD ’86, Jerusalem, is prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority and a former representative to the International Monetary Fund. Fayyad is widely respected in international circles and seen by analysts as one of the best hopes for peace between Palestine and Israel.
I bet he’s an interesting guy. One I’d like to meet, have a beer with, and discuss things.
Stuff That Happens tells me all about politics and beer.
I know that the Beer Politico would enjoy the train of thought. But, it also reminded me of the Pixies singing “politics goes so good with beer”…
One two three
She’s a real left winger ’cause she been down south
And held peasants in her arms
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