NPR fan-blog? NPR social networking?

(1) Given that ME and ATC are two of the three most listened-to radio shows in the US, and given how tech-savvy many NPR listeners presumably are (thanks to the digital divide), it’s surprises me that there isn’t a blog by NPR listeners dedicated to commentary on NPR. There are fan-blogs on nearly every cultural [...]

Obama’s race speech.

I have to say, I’m VERY AGONIZED over The Speech. On the one hand, it is among the most perfectly calibrated peaces of US political rhetoric in at least the past 30 years; from the perspective of political strategy, it is (in the words of my old Latin teacher) “breathlessly magnificent,” as well as ruthlessly [...]

Happy Anniversary, Heidi!

I’m in NYC to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Heidi Neumark! If you want to see why she is the most important figure in my own religious life, read her reflection on the congregation’s shelter for homeless queer youth.

My #1 worry about Obama v. McCain.

This past Tuesday, when McCain won the Repo nomination outright, he said this about Iraq:
“It is of little use to Americans for their candidates to avoid the many complex challenges of these struggles by re-litigating decisions of the past…. But Americans know that the next president doesn’t get to re-make that decision. We’re in Iraq, [...]

Happy Anniversary!

Today marks 75 years since Franklin Delano Roosevelt began his service as President. I’ve been thinking a lot about FDR during this year’s Democratic Party primary. Of course, FDR and his Presidency had some major faults, and in general the policies he pursued did not seek to end capitalism or otherwise fundamentally radicalize our sociopoliticoeconomic [...]

Stuff White People Like.

Begun just under two months ago (January 18), this site has had over six million visits! That almost beats Obama (or Reagan) for a debut. Here’s a good sample that shows why this site is irresistible:
#16: “Gifted” Children
White people love “gifted” children, do you know why? Because an astounding 100% of their kids are gifted! [...]