John Updike, 1932-2009.

Chronicler of the Middle America in the second half of the twentieth century. Here is an audio of Updike, expressing concerns about the transformation of the written word on paper to infinitely permutable ensembles of electrons.

Updike's contributions to The New Yorker have been assembled here.

Change on "Torture".

Candidate Obama walloped the Bush Administration on "torture", redefined during the extended presidential campaign as any interrogation tactic involving physical coercion, like sleep deprivation. Team O pledged to end any such type of tactic when they assumed presidential power. Now Andrew McCarthy observes (in an interview on Bill Bennett's radio show), that President Obama may reserve the right to use interrogation tactics that include physical coercion, for so-called "ticking bomb" cases. It's refreshing to see some common sense finally take hold with the new powers, but my, how change looks like the same.

Holy Week.

NPR, Gary Keillor, The Nation editor Mistress Katrina Von Hoofenderfloogle, Kief Ubermann and the We Are the World Usual Suspects are getting the vapors in anticipation of the most holy event of our lifetime: the Installation of Pope Barack I. Keillor on a recent Prairie Home Angst, retold the Gospel story of the sojourn of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem as that of Michelle and Barack to Washington. We agree with the National Review, such an analogy is just creeeepy. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Alexander, chair of African-American Studies at Yale, has been tapped to deliver the Inaugural Poem. According to a background piece at the Atlanta Constitution-Journal, her credentials are steeped in art and politics , the politics of art, and the art of politics. Ahh, shall we close our eyes and swoon in rapture to verses of neo-Socialist Realism? The baking of bread as a political statement? A Man and His Tractor? Will the cornicopia of ethnogendercreeds be given each a moment in the sun during the soliloquy? We'll have a big box of Kleenex on hand to soak up our tears of joy. We will also have box on hand to soak up the tears of grief as the Super-Colossal Extravagonzo Stimulus Cheese Wheel is rolled down Capitol Hill.

Make Every Vote Count...for Al.

The snide Al Franken has successfully upended the result of the November election, with a recount in Minnesota that appears to have broken in favor of him in every ruling. Hmmm...Just call him Senator "Landslide Al"?

A Background Fact on Gaza.

Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Hamas has attacked them incessantly, firing over 6500 rockets. What did these idiots think would happen?

An Early Warning.

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man who knows what the law is today can guess what it will be to-morrow.

--James Madison (likely), Federalist No. 62, 1788
(courtesy Patriot Post)

The Blockbuster Events of 2008.

Our top four picks for the most universe-disturbing* stories of the year:

1. The massive deleveraging of the financial system, the huge devaluing of most financial assets, and the long-coming cardiac arrest of a credit-gorged economy. It was fun while it lasted, eh?
2. President-Elect Barack Obama. Hooda thunk it?
3. Success in Iraq. Although you could have missed it for the lack of news coverage.
4. Turning 50, and the associated psychological seismic activity.

*And indeed there will be time

To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”

Time to turn back and descend the stair,

With a bald spot in the middle of my hair —
[They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”]

My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,

My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin — [They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”]

Do I dare Disturb the universe?

In a minute there is time

For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

- T.S. Eliot, from the Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock

Rejoice!

Isaiah 61:10

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Have a Blessed Twelve Days of Christmas!

Fear Not!

It is only four months to Opening Day. In the meantime, let us tie.

Impressionable Elites.

This is the term used by Mark Penn, author of "Microtrends", to describe the very busy, wealthy and powerful who can no longer exploit information directly, but now rely on gut and impression, friends' views and opinions, and the judgement of others. Penn suggests that the behavior of this group was an essential catalyst for the Madoff debacle.

Motown, Y'all.

Newsweek tells the story of Detroit South.

The Pope Salutes Astronomy.

Pope Benedict XVI praised the work of scientists in commemoration of the International Year of Astronomy:

...If the heavens, in the beautiful words of the psalmist, 'tell of the glory of God', the laws of nature, which many scientists have studied over the years giving us an ever-better understanding of them, are a great incentive to contemplate the works of the Lord with gratitude".

We would not doubt that John Paul II and Galileo are now in a smiling embrace.

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."
Luke 1:26-38

Gabriel has told Mary what is to come to pass - she is to bear a son who will inherit the throne of David. Mary puts her trust in God and commits her life to his service. May we summon an epsilon of such faith and commitment to God.

Good News for Michigan Cigar Aficionados.

The Michigan Legislature failed to enact a total ban on smoking in bars, restaurants, cigar bars, and similar commercial private property. This legislation is now dead until the next Legislature is in session.

The organization Cigar Rights of America has been recently formed to help cigar smokers fight the creeping fascism of smoking bans and excessive tobacco taxes.

Academe' Now Squawking for Government Cheese.

Believe it or not, after a few decades of tuition increases well above the inflation rate, colleges and universities want even more money, claiming a hunk'o Uncle Sugar Daddy's Big Bailout Cheese Wheel.

Here's the ten year history of tuition for LSA students at Michigan:

• 1999-2000 $6335
• 2000-2001 $6515 (+2.8%)
• 2001-2002 $6935 (+6.4%)
• 2002-2003 $7485 (+7.9%)
• 2003-2004 $7975 (+6.5%)
• 2004-2005 $8200 (+2.8%)
• 2005-2006 $9215 (+12.4%)
• 2006-2007 $9725 (+5.5%)
• 2007-2008 $10,445 (+7.4%)
• 2008-2009 $11,035 (+5.6%)
• 1999-2009 +$4700 (+7.4% APR)

When are the administrators of this institution going to face reality? Why do students and their families (or the rest of us, by way of government financial aid) bear the burden, year in and year out, of the academe's dreams of grandeur?

Artes, Scientia, Veritas.

The Ann Arbor News reports that a University of Michigan professor is under investigation for hiring a female UM law student to...well, to...you know...and it got a bit out of hand. Our hallowed alma mater has reassured us, however, that there are strict rules in place to govern faculty-student romantic relationships, such as the requirement to file a "Conflict of Interest" working plan with the appropriate departments. We are much reassured.

Were So Sorry, Guvna' Granholm...

Jennifer Granholm did not make the cut as Secretary of Energy for the Obama Administration, and alas, she must trudge back the Great Lakes State and complete her second term as our governor. It's too bad she was so busy auditioning for Team O; the Detroit Three really could have used her up on The Hill to provide political cover for them as they were pilloried by the many Moronic Congresscritters. In fact, she seems to have been nearly invisible during most of the recent Big Three Crisis.

So Be It.

Tom Brokaw chastised Mr. Obama for continuing to smoke cigarettes. We say: hike up your skirt Mrs. Brokaw, and mind your own business. If the man wants/needs a smoke - and he is an adult - then he is free to puff away. Yes, there are serious health risks, and it's not our choice but his (perhaps we'll encourage him to abandon the coffin nails with a box of Punch Rare Corojos).

Tying the TARP Down.

A recent summary of the confusion about how well TARP is working, where the money is actually going, and the nearly nonexistent oversight of the program. Jim Cramer has reported that AIG is using its wedge of Government Cheese to payoff foreign banks (for credit default swaps?).

Trading Heroes for Ghosts.

Here is arguably the best song on the Golden Era of "Progressive Music". From the "Pulse" tour.