tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59476712011-04-21T15:47:46.266-05:00The Erhart BlogNot the adventures of an American expatriot in Turkey.Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.comBlogger1291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1099593305978585312004-11-04T13:34:00.000-06:002004-11-04T12:35:05.976-06:00
It's over
Well, it's over now. The guy I really didn't want to win has won, and won decisively. His majority is a slim one, but it is a clear majority. Bush said yesterday that he will work hard to "earn my trust." Here are some steps he could take to make me feel better about his second term.
1. Retire Rumsfeld and Ashcroft.
Rumsfeld had one major responsibility, Iraq, and he's blown it. TheCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1098715460574058452004-10-25T09:42:00.000-05:002004-10-25T09:44:20.576-05:00
BoSox
If a team commits 8 errors in two games, and still wins both games, they can no longer be considered "cursed." These aren't the Red Sox I grew up with, and while I am happy for all those Boston fans who are experiencing new and exciting emotions like "hope" and "joy," I can't help but feel that the familiar fabric of the game I love is being rended. We will probably learn that last year, Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1098396163266975412004-10-21T17:02:00.000-05:002004-10-21T17:03:33.026-05:00
Stand By Your Man
It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I am far from convinced that Kerry will make a great president. Near as I can tell, he's a smart guy, a hard worker with good intentions and I am willing to give him a shot. I won't pretend to anyone that he's the second coming of Abraham Lincoln. There are many conservatives who point to the fact that most of Kerry's support is moreCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1098133231610617022004-10-18T16:00:00.000-05:002004-10-18T16:00:42.186-05:00
A Senator from Massachusetts
Here's another thing that really bugs me about the president. It really annoys me the way he keeps referring to Kerry disdainfully as a "Senator from Massachusetts." I know that Bush has no chance of winning in Massachusetts, but that's hardly the point is it? Last time I checked Massachusetts was one the United States that Bush is supposedly president of. How does Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1098123756676519432004-10-18T13:22:00.000-05:002004-10-18T13:22:36.676-05:00
Mary Cheney
Doesn't this Mary Cheney flap remind you of the old phrase "The Love
that Dare Not Speak it's Name."?
While it is true that Kerry probably invoked Mary Cheney to score some
political points, and that in itself is probably not the prettiest
thing, the Cheneys are feigning outrage at Kerry's basically harmless
remarks to score far uglier political points, they're doing it to bring
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097938551309775562004-10-16T09:54:00.000-05:002004-10-16T09:55:51.310-05:00
Suit Pucker
As I look at the pictures more closely, it seems it's likely just a pucker in his suit. It's not as a good a story, but it seems the most likely.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097866521142743462004-10-15T13:55:00.000-05:002004-10-15T13:55:21.143-05:00
What was it?
In the comments below, please indicate what you think was under president's jacket during the debates. Like Kevin Drum, I am seriously very curious. Why has no one asked the president? Not even during a gaggle?
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097762670557053402004-10-14T09:04:00.000-05:002004-10-14T09:04:30.556-05:00
A Good Debate
I thought it went pretty well. At first, Bush looked sort of unstable, head bobbing up and down, pounding the podium with his open hand, and at times looking altogether way too proud of himself for not screwing up immensely. There was a point where he seemed about to take a shot at the moderator's employer, CBS, thought better of it, and spit out a nervous "never mind." The secondCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097686854493288312004-10-13T13:00:00.000-05:002004-10-13T12:00:54.493-05:00
Article 3
Pat Buchanan says on Terry Gross's Fresh Air that under Article 3 of the US Constitution the Congress has the right to restrict what laws the judiciary can rule on. I just read Article 3 and I can see nothing in there that says that. Can anyone shed any light on that?
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097680160527185192004-10-13T10:07:00.000-05:002004-10-13T10:09:20.526-05:00
Angels in America
Last night I saw the final three installments of Mike Nichols' magnificent adaptation of Angels in America. It is not easy to adapt a talky play of ideas into a visually pleasing film, but Nichols succeeds marvelously. Kushner is a gifted writer, some of his more elegant sentences left me intoxicated. I do have one complaint, however. What happened to Joe? He was easily the Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097608465267187432004-10-12T14:13:00.000-05:002004-10-12T14:14:25.266-05:00
Who Voted for the War?
I'm tired of hearing the president and his supporters claiming that the vote in Congress back in October of 2003 was a vote "for the war." This would only make sense only if language in the resolution included references to insecure borders, at least a year-long insurgency after dislodging the Iraqi government, 1000+ dead American soldiers, a total lack of security Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097502011665349702004-10-11T08:35:00.000-05:002004-10-11T08:40:11.666-05:00
Marathon
I was going to blog about how Bush wants us to live in desperate fear of terrorists for all eternity. Instead, I will use this space to declare that my wife completed the Chicago marathon yesterday, in 6 hours and one minute. It was a wonderful day. There were about a million fans out cheering the runners through the entire 26.2 mile course, there were 8000 volunteers handing out waterCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097246563612268192004-10-08T09:31:00.000-05:002004-10-08T09:42:43.613-05:00
Kerry retakes the lead.
Look here. This page had been showing some wildly different results over the last two months (due to the policy of always using the latest poll results for any single state, no matter how nutty) but the proprietor has introduced software to average out the most recent polling data. So now I think the picture should stabilize. Right now, it looks like the election is Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097166874730928392004-10-07T11:34:00.000-05:002004-10-07T11:34:34.730-05:00
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring
Saw this last night. It's a Buddhist fable, of sorts. A young man is trained from boyhood by a monk who attempts to instill respect for all God's creatures. As a boy, the kid is a bit of a sadist, attaching rocks to little fish and frogs, then laughing as the little guy struggles with the added weight. The monk attempts to remove this sadism by tying a Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1097094745528604632004-10-06T15:32:00.000-05:002004-10-06T15:32:25.526-05:00
The Debate
I give the edge to Cheney, but not by much. He seemed more relaxed and in control of himself than Edwards at the outset, although his energy clearly flagged toward the end. Edwards did pretty well, though often he seemed much more nervous than the vice president. Cheney did say one thing, however; that showed that he has the biggest brass Machiavellian balls ever to swing between theCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1096990709254267582004-10-05T10:38:00.000-05:002004-10-05T10:38:29.253-05:00
A Test for Europe and Turkey
Tomorrow, the EU is poised to announce that talks to allow Turkish membership in the bloc are to begin. This development will likely get scant attention in the U.S., but I believe that it is an historic opportunity. The negotiations that will commence between the Turkish government and the major European powers will provide a real test for both. In Turkey claims Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1096900730445599852004-10-04T09:38:00.000-05:002004-10-04T09:38:50.446-05:00
The Best Kind of Joke
My favorite kind of joke is the kind where someone else, who has no idea about the joke, delivers the punch line. A few years ago, a co-worker of mine decided to form a Wine Club at the office. Every Friday, someone would bring a bottle of wine at the end of the week and we would sit around and chat. It was a great idea, and I was pleased when he invited me to join the Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1096647077912130002004-10-01T11:11:00.000-05:002004-10-01T11:11:17.913-05:00
Party Hacks
Kevin Drum raises a great question. There really isn't a defensible reason for reporters to actively seek out the opinions of people whose opinions are utterly useless.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1096552760844230832004-09-30T08:59:00.000-05:002004-09-30T17:21:20.243-05:00
Documentaries
For the last two days, PBS has aired an interesting documentary on the origin of life in the universe. I love watching documentaries like these but I'm always confronted with the same problem. The more interesting it is, the more I miss. Let's say you're watching some fascinatng documentary and it reveals some compelling bit of information. You've got to spend at least a few Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1096465431571787492004-09-29T08:43:00.000-05:002004-09-29T08:43:51.570-05:00
Fighting the War on Terror
If I hear another person tell me that Bush is "fighting the War on Terror," I am going to lose it. Near as I can tell, Bush heroically sent our troops into in Iraq and then spent the next year and a half sitting with his fingers crossed. The only thing I have seen him do, or read about him doing, is travel around the country telling us all how busy he is "fighting theCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1096400610664773552004-09-28T14:43:00.000-05:002004-09-28T14:43:30.663-05:00
Fact Checking
Click on over to FactCheck.org to see a cogent criticism of both a recent Bush ad, and the tiresome and false charge that Kerry has "endlessly changed his position on Iraq." Here is what Kerry said when he "voted for the war."
Let me be clear, the vote I will give to the President is for one reason and one reason only: To disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, if we cannot Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1096380438549550862004-09-28T09:07:00.000-05:002004-09-28T09:07:18.550-05:00
Why won't he admit it?
Some conservatives want to know why John Kerry won't fess up to being a liberal. After all, being a liberal is a perfectly honorable thing. Paul Wellstone was a liberal, he was proud of it, he admitted it, so why can't John Kerry. Well, let me take a guess as to why. First of all, you'd have to be pretty dim not to recognize that these conservatives, by this line of "Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1096293925637206282004-09-27T09:05:00.000-05:002004-09-27T09:06:56.513-05:00
Another reason to hate Michael Jackson
Yes, I know he's a child molester. You would think that was all the disgrace one person would need over the course of a lifetime. But Michael is not just a pedarist. He's also a hack. If anyone out there reading this still believes that Michael Jackson, although a child-molester, at one time was an electrifying and innovative performer, it is my sad duty Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1090525531435262032004-07-22T14:45:00.000-05:002004-07-22T14:45:31.436-05:00
Hair
It's a good movie, but a lousy musical. This latter fact I was rather surprised to learn. I had been told repeatedly by various broadway aficionados that Hair was one of the all time great musicals, in the same company with say, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. Now both of these shows have one great song after another. Hair has maybe two or three. Sometimes the lyrics are just Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1090440236602844402004-07-21T15:03:00.000-05:002004-07-21T15:07:06.706-05:00
Well isn't this exciting
Look at this. Blogger now comes with it's own commenting software. Don't that just beat all. Well, now I suppose that I have no choice but to keep blogging, for the sake of my three disappointed readers. Give me until tomorrow to think of something to write. Until then, have fun with the new comments.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1090342210007695292004-07-20T11:48:00.000-05:002004-07-20T11:50:10.006-05:00
Technical problems
My comment software has expired. I don't know what I am going to replace it with, but a decision will be made shortly. The vacation continues...
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1089924493159941562004-07-15T15:48:00.000-05:002004-07-16T08:52:30.876-05:00
Taking the week off
There won't be any postings here until Monday, July 19th. See you then!
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1089305523211380992004-07-08T11:51:00.000-05:002004-07-08T11:52:03.210-05:00
Christianity
Last night I had a very nice conversation with a friend of mine who recently found a faith in Jesus Christ. I am frequently distrustful of religious people because so often they treat their religion as if it were some kind of political party. They will only speak of their faith in uncompromisingly glowing terms, and any question regarding this or that point of theology is dismissedCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1089233208505706232004-07-07T15:46:00.000-05:002004-07-07T15:46:48.506-05:00
Bush Haters
I don't want to make too much out of this story, but I really wish Bush cared more about what the world thought of him. I know many conservatives say that it doesn't matter what the world thinks of us, and that we shouldn't have to get permission from France before we do anything, but that misses the point. Part of Reagan's re-election campaign was to ask the question "Are you Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1089140468842956332004-07-06T14:00:00.000-05:002004-07-06T14:01:08.860-05:00
That Twilighty Show About That Zone
Yesterday, the Sci-Fi channel broadcast a Twilight Zone marathon, and my wife and I saw quite a few episodes. One of those we saw was a classic. I think it's called Kick the Can and it was on of those re-made for the movie that came out in the 80s. The story of this episode involved an old man (Ernest Truex) who gets the idea that the fountain of youth may Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1088705583632409612004-07-01T13:12:00.000-05:002004-07-01T13:13:03.633-05:00
Portrait of an American Conversation on the Subject of the Iraq War
Guy #1: The war was a mistake.
Guy #2: I couldn't agree more. A terrible mistake.
Guy #1: A total waste of lives and money.
Guy #2: Just awful, really.
Guy #1: And all just to make Halliburton executives rich.
Guy #2: What? I don't there's any proof of...
Guy #1: Oh c'mon, it's obvious!
Guy #2: Not to me.
Guy #1: Oh, soCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1088623768880279512004-06-30T14:29:00.000-05:002004-06-30T14:29:28.880-05:00
What happened to Ken?
On Sunday there was a birthday party for a five year old neighbor of my sister-in-law's, and she (Kiki) and I provided the entertainment, dressing up as Ken & Barbie. I signed up for the job readily, Kiki and I had done this job before to great acclaim. I became a little nervous when I saw the costume I was to wear. The little girl's mother, for reasons known only to her, Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1088459616927995432004-06-28T16:53:00.000-05:002004-06-28T16:53:36.926-05:00
I've got another little piece up at Hubris. Check it out, won't you?
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1087937044034724172004-06-22T15:43:00.000-05:002004-06-22T15:44:45.260-05:00
Don't worry your pretty little head
"The reason I keep insisting that there was a relationship between Iraq and Saddam [Hussein] and al-Qaeda," US President George W Bush told reporters last week, is "because there was a relationship between Iraq and al-Qaeda".
This is what I really hate about this guy. What am I supposed to think about this? Is this supposed to convince me? Does he really Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1087848085283238762004-06-21T15:01:00.000-05:002004-06-21T15:01:25.283-05:00
Well, I'm a bachelor again. For a couple of weeks anyway. The good news is that Itir finally got her travel document. I guess the BCIS employee whose desk our application was under had to get under there to recover a nickel he dropped. At any rate, it arrived last Thursday, and the bad news is now she's in Istanbul, visiting her family. Because of my job's generous PTO policy, I have to stay Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1087419750425754472004-06-16T16:02:00.000-05:002004-06-16T16:02:30.426-05:00
Breaking News
This morning I got an email from CNN marked 'Breaking News.' I hate opening these things now. Too often someone or some people somewhere just got shot, blown up, assasinated, kidnapped, beheaded, or whatever other cruelty prevails at the moment. This one said "Commission reports 'no credible evidence' that al Qaeda and Iraq cooperated in 9/11 attacks on United States."
Really nowCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1087245148935374632004-06-14T15:32:00.000-05:002004-06-14T15:32:28.936-05:00
Pistons
The Pistons are going to finish the Lakers off tomorrow night. You heard it here first. Well, you've probably heard it from any number of sources before now, but now you can really believe it. Because you heard it from me. Here's why I think this: Shaq was about the only Laker who had a decent game last night, and that was with two days rest. Tuesday night, he'll have rested for only Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1086981006477195672004-06-11T14:08:00.000-05:002004-06-11T14:10:06.476-05:00
State Funeral
Through this whole Reagan-athon, I've heard more than once that this has been the first state funeral since LBJ's in the 1970s. So what happened to Nixon? Was he too disgraced to qualify? Anyone know?
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1086972918791136452004-06-11T11:55:00.000-05:002004-06-11T11:55:18.793-05:00
Joe Biden
"There's a reason why we sign these treaties: to protect my son in the military.
That's why we have these treaties. So when Americans are captured, they are not tortured.
That's the reason, in case anybody forgets it."
This was Joe Biden during John Ashcroft's Senate testimony. Before I make my comment on this, let me make it clear that I condemn torture in all it's forms, etcCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1086963177752228782004-06-11T09:12:00.000-05:002004-06-11T09:12:57.753-05:00
Today, I have a little satirical piece up on Hubris's blog. You can see it here. Go by and see it, won't you?
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1086899313042461942004-06-10T15:28:00.000-05:002004-06-10T15:28:33.043-05:00
Ray Charles Dies
For this, I think that a National Day of Mourning is in order. He is gone from us, and he takes a goodly share of the world's cool with him. Rest in Peace.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1086795078122217152004-06-09T10:29:00.000-05:002004-06-09T10:31:18.123-05:00
Still Reagan
There were like three Reagan stories on NPR this morning. What, did he die again today?
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1086733014121883822004-06-08T17:16:00.000-05:002004-06-08T17:16:54.123-05:00
Reagan Dies
Well, it was an interesting decade, the eighties, and if it belonged to anyone, it belonged to Reagan. I was never a big fan of his, but I will give him credit for extending the hand of friendship across the Atlantic. He saw in Gorbachev a potential partner in Perestroika and he jumped on the opportunity. This was no small thing. Without Reagan being willing to trust Gorbachev as a Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1086289111979777832004-06-03T13:58:00.000-05:002004-06-03T13:58:31.980-05:00
I am great
If you look at my Wednesday, April 21 blog entry, you can read my cogent case for the firing of both Ahmad Chalabi and George Tenet. And now, they are both gone. It's pretty clear now that this blog has gained tremendous influence. I am aware that I get only 10 visits on a good day from around six people, but apparently these people have the ears of some decision-makers in WashingtonCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1086198507901969622004-06-02T12:48:00.000-05:002004-06-02T12:48:27.900-05:00
This thing is cool
Click here to see an interactive map of all the battleground states with current polling data for each. Right now, it looks like Kerry has a slight edge in the key battlegrounds of Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. Keep checking this map to see if the momentum shifts.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1086119045562848562004-06-01T14:43:00.000-05:002004-06-01T14:44:05.563-05:00
War President
In the US Constitution, Congress is given the sole power to declare war. The very same document declares the President is the Commander-In-Chief. The Commander-In-Chief presumably has the power to instruct the military to do whatever he wants it to do, including sending several hundred thousand troops across the border of some nation against whom the Congress has not declared war.Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1085687491779640202004-05-27T14:50:00.000-05:002004-05-27T14:51:31.780-05:00
Last night at IO
Last night was the best show we've had in a while, I think. We have been playing unrestrained by the strict Harold form and I think we are benefitting greatly by the choice. After the show, during freeze tag, I got perhaps the biggest laugh I ever got. There was a scene where three guys where riding three other guys like horses. I yelled "freeze" and positioned myself under Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1085606075746704242004-05-26T16:14:00.000-05:002004-05-26T16:19:00.790-05:00
The Voting Has Begun
It's a great feeling to have so many fine candidates to choose from. If only I could feel that way in November. Here are my picks, see if you can find fault with them.
American LeagueNational League First Base: M. Sweeney, KC First Base: A. Pujols, STLSecond Base: A. Soriano, TEXSecond Base: J. Kent, HOU Third Base: M. Mora, BALThird Base:S. Rolen, STLShortstop:M. Young, Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1085513773949671312004-05-25T14:36:00.000-05:002004-05-25T14:36:13.950-05:00
Bush's Speech
Well, it was a great speech, and if I hadn't been paying any attention to the news for the last year, I would be extremely optimistic. There is still no reason that I can see to believe that the President's speech last night is at all connected to reality. There was a hilarious moment when Bush mangled the pronunciation of Abu-Graib three times. The first occasion was almost Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1085414565996918532004-05-24T11:02:00.000-05:002004-05-24T11:02:45.996-05:00
Help Fight Leukemia & Lymphona
My wife Itir is training for the Chicago marathon. This effort is geared toward raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. So please, visit this site to make a contribution. Itir is working very hard to complete the marathon, so the least you can do is donate a little cash, no?
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1085167704694453332004-05-21T14:27:00.000-05:002004-05-21T14:28:24.693-05:00
Today, I am 34. So I'm taking a little blog vacation. See you on Monday.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1085003282325421812004-05-19T16:47:00.000-05:002004-05-19T16:48:48.976-05:00
Sonia Ghandi, Italian Mole
This I don't understand at all. There's nothing in the Indian constitution that forbids an Italian born candidate assuming the Prime Ministership. I guess the Hindu Nationalists suspect Ms. Ghandi of being an Italian spy. Next thing you know, everyone in India will be riding scooters, drinking cappuccino and saying "ciao." C'mon people, she's a Ghandi for chrissakes! Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1084908274883920602004-05-18T14:24:00.000-05:002004-05-18T14:24:34.883-05:00
Michael Moore, again, sigh...
I am ambivalent about this new movie. On the one hand, the Bush family connections to the Saudi government need to be exposed. In many countries around the world, Saudi money funds awful madrasa schools whose entire purpose seems to be fomenting crazed anti-americanism and the medeval interpretation of Islam known as Wahabbism. It is perhaps the single most Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1084809935418817992004-05-17T11:05:00.000-05:002004-05-17T11:05:35.416-05:00
Where's Nick Berg?
There's been a great deal of hand-wringing about how the media has dropped the Nick Berg story and is still reporting on Abu Graib. Many conservatives see this as further evidence of the mainstream media's anti-Bush agenda. I tell you, I am getting so sick of various conservatives' constant whining about liberal bias in the media. The coverage of Bush so far, in my opinion, Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1084392031331022952004-05-12T15:00:00.000-05:002004-05-12T15:01:15.776-05:00
Measuring Stick
Want to know who loves your country and who really loves your country? here is a handy guide.
Patriots:
White House Spokesman Scott McClellan:
"The indications are that there were a few people involved in this and certainly those few individuals do not represent the 99 percent of our men and women in the military who are upholding the high standards of conduct that our Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1084292616340986142004-05-11T11:23:00.000-05:002004-05-11T11:24:17.406-05:00
Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz at Second City
Last night, I was having a drink at Big City Tap with Itir, and an improvisor friend of mine named Tony. Big City Tap is a pretty lame bar, actually, and the music is too loud, so it was a relief when another improvisor named Tony came by and informed us that Mike Myers was going to be performing at the Second City improv set after the touring Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1084205969616143692004-05-10T11:19:00.000-05:002004-05-10T11:19:29.616-05:00
Tom DeLay
"In a calculated, craven political stunt, the national Democrat Party has declared surrender in the war on terrorism,'' DeLay said. "They want to win the White House more than they want to win the war, and our enemies know it.''
This response came after a press conference given by Democrats John Murtha and Nancy Pelosi which criticized the Bush administration's policies in Iraq and Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083959388975703892004-05-07T14:49:00.000-05:002004-05-07T14:54:17.030-05:00
Discussion thread: Rumsfeld testimony.
Spinsanity regulars and others: enjoy!
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083939631489577822004-05-07T09:20:00.000-05:002004-05-07T09:24:59.450-05:00
New York, New York
It's a helluva town, and I had a helluva time there, despite the fact that we spent a lot of our time with a group who were there attending the conference along with Itir's dad. I'm not a big guy for traveling in groups, I always end up feeling trapped. There were conflicts with some of the menus. Some guys were actually worried about whether pork was cooked on the same grillCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083350045655944452004-04-30T13:34:00.000-05:002004-04-30T13:38:24.200-05:00
New York, New York
In a few hours I'll be on a jet plane heading for New York City. This means I won't be blogging until probably next Wednesday. To both my readers, I say have a great weekend!
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083343055748911662004-04-30T11:37:00.000-05:002004-04-30T11:41:54.013-05:00
Shame on Sinclair
A major owner of U.S. television stations has ordered its eight ABC affiliates to drop a "Nightline" broadcast in which the name of every American soldier killed in Iraq will be read aloud.
Sinclair, a Hunt Valley, Md.-based media company whose holdings include 62 TV stations, said the "Nightline" program "appears to be motivated by a political agenda designed to undermine Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083247824519853062004-04-29T09:10:00.000-05:002004-04-29T09:19:47.780-05:00
Bush's Saudi Ties
They consist of more than just friendship. There's also a certain ideological affinity. This is just the latest story of how the Bush administration distorts research to promote religious conservative political aims. Sickening. Why doesn't Bush come out and announce that he's done this in a prime-time press conference, trumpeting a major victory for the moral fiber of our Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083188916701790652004-04-28T16:48:00.000-05:002004-04-28T16:54:05.496-05:00
Specter's win
Matt Yglesias sets me straight on why it's good that Specter won.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083184561524949222004-04-28T15:36:00.000-05:002004-04-28T15:40:17.420-05:00
Robots farts
Sure, robots are cool, but I'm waiting until one hits the market that can fart.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083179225445046162004-04-28T14:07:00.000-05:002004-04-28T14:11:21.513-05:00
Specter wins
I'm ambivalent about this. On the one hand, Specter is the kind of Republican I like. I don't how effective a Senator he is, but he is clearly not part of the conservative christian wing of the party, and for me, that's reason enough to like him. On the other hand, he has the best chance of winning in November, and if he does, it will be a victory for Bush, and that is distastful. Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083178550837376152004-04-28T13:55:00.000-05:002004-04-28T14:00:06.233-05:00
Does the West Wing suck now?
Came across this web site today. I have noticed a decline in quality since the departure or Aaron Sorkin, but I'm not sure that it has been so great as to necessitate a web site constructed soley for the purpose calling for the show's cancellation. I still enjoy the West Wing. In fact I'll be watching tonight, after a nice little French dinner with Itir, and I'll beCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083101747806641852004-04-27T16:35:00.000-05:002004-04-27T16:40:02.233-05:00
Stenographers
I read this today on the Daily Howler:
In a sense, the media were victims of their own professionalism. Because there was little criticism of the war from prominent Democrats and foreign policy analysts, journalistic rules meant we shouldn't create a debate on our own.
So journalistic ethics dictate than unless a major political party is talking about it, it is not news? We Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083084704589372902004-04-27T11:51:00.000-05:002004-04-27T11:55:59.326-05:00
Semi-sovereignty
OK, who didn't see this coming? We knew that we would continue to have over 100,000 U.S. troops in Iraq after June 30th. We were also saying that on June 30th, we would be handing over control of the country to an interim Iraqi government. Did anyone think for a moment that the U.S. troops would be answerable to the interim Iraqi government? Did anyone think it was possible Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083078803955440992004-04-27T10:13:00.000-05:002004-04-27T10:17:50.810-05:00
Hughes on Abortion as Terrorism
BLITZER: There is a clear difference when it comes to abortion rights between the president and his Democratic challenger, John Kerry. In your opinion, Karen, how big of an issue will this abortion rights issue be in this campaign?
HUGHES: Well, Wolf, it's always an issue. And I frankly think it's changing somewhat. I think after September 11th the American Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1083012534328740452004-04-26T15:48:00.000-05:002004-04-26T15:53:07.170-05:00
Kerry the Catholic
Many people have noted by now the differences in policy between Kerry and the Vatican on the subject of abortion and gay rights. My question is why? Can anyone tell me how these differences will affect Kerry's ability to lead? Is Bush in lock-step with everything the Methodist church says? I don't think so. So why is this is a story? And furthermore, can we take anything the Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1082733242095588792004-04-23T10:14:00.000-05:002004-04-23T10:18:11.030-05:00
Cyprus
Tomorrow the Greek Cypriots are poised to make a big mistake. There will be a referendum voted on by the Turkish and Greek residents of Cyprus to determine whether the Greek portion of Cyprus will enter the EU with the Turkish portion, as part of a unified Cyprus, or alone without them. The EU decided to allow the Greeks to join the EU with or without their Turkish neighbors because theyCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1082655567762621032004-04-22T12:39:00.000-05:002004-04-22T12:44:13.590-05:00
I found this story today on a great blog called The Religious Policeman. I can't believe that this story didn't get more press. This story is two years old, and I only heard about it today. Saudi Arabia is the most fucked up country in the world right now, and they are considered an ally of ours. I don't think that even the Taliban would do this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1082567172193737102004-04-21T12:06:00.000-05:002004-04-21T12:10:18.530-05:00
George Tenet and Ahmed Chalabi
If you want job security, work for the Bush administration. No matter how badly you louse your job up, you'll still be employed. The only way your job will end is if you totally lose patience with the acute ineptitude in the White House and Pentagon and leave to write a book about it. Tenet claimed that the case for WMD was a slam-dunk, and so did Chalabi. Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1082410304037632652004-04-19T16:31:00.000-05:002004-04-19T16:37:32.560-05:00
Wynton Marsalis
Yesterday afternoon, Itir and I went to the Raue Center of the Performing Arts in Crystal Lake (where Jason killed all those teenagers) to see Wynton Marsalis. It was a great concert, as was expected, obviously, but something did surprise me. Midway through the first set, they played Skylark, and afterwards Wynton went on to chat about Hoagy Carmichael for a bit. He listed some Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1082148057931515332004-04-16T15:40:00.000-05:002004-04-16T15:44:57.123-05:00
Northfield is Ugly
Northfield is a wealthy suburb, but parts of it are really ugly. I ate lunch today on a hilltop overlooking a massive shopping mall, complete with Target, Kohl's, etc. On the left were about 100 prefab houses huddled together. Everywhere there were cars, parked or buzzing about. The whole scene was pretty depressing. Granted, I am more sensitive to my aesthetic surroundings Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1082064512613495372004-04-15T16:28:00.000-05:002004-04-15T16:32:30.640-05:00
Osama
Although it's digusting to comtemplate that this fanatic is still walking on our side of the grass, I was in fact heartened by this proposed "truce." The fact that Osama would suggest something like this indicates that he feels his power diminishing. If he is now having to roll back his plans for the Islamic take-over of Europe until after he has destroyed America and Israel, then at the Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081974119999637382004-04-14T15:22:00.000-05:002004-04-14T15:25:56.686-05:00
Political Leadership
I missed the President's press conference last night, because I had a show, but I did review the transcript. It's pretty obvious I think that this President has no interest in leading this nation. There was nothing in that speech or any of the answers that followed that wasn't tailored to please his existing constituency. I remember back in the 80s there was a lot of talk Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081954239254305722004-04-14T09:50:00.000-05:002004-04-14T19:03:44.593-05:00
That's our President!
"This is a war against people who have no guilt in killing innocent people."
George W. Bush, answering a question during last night's press conference.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081889766307548402004-04-13T15:56:00.000-05:002004-04-13T16:00:01.170-05:00
Shibboleth Returns
My improv team peforms tonight at Improv Olympic. Come by if you can, we're right on the corner of Clark & Addison by venerable Wrigley Field. Right there, that's the single most marketing we've ever done for one of our shows. This show marks the debut of two new members, Jason Geis and Gianni Cutri who have proven in rehearsals to be fine additions to the team. I'm not Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081796828117679772004-04-12T14:07:00.000-05:002004-04-12T14:11:02.216-05:00
Ashcroft Mosaic
It's hilarious, and a stunning technical achievement, in my opinion.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081788011285035972004-04-12T11:40:00.000-05:002004-04-12T11:44:04.920-05:00
Happy Easter
Yesterday was great. I spent the entire day at my brother's house in Evanston celebrating Easter with various members of my sister-in-law's extended family. In attendance were 8 children between zero and eight years old. In spite of this, a good amount of rather pleasant conversation was enjoyed by me and the various parents of the excitable egg-hunters. Despite the inherently Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081456277927802722004-04-08T15:31:00.000-05:002004-04-08T15:35:06.263-05:00
Dr. Rice's big day
I just finished reading Josh Marshall's quick note on Dr. Rice's testimony. I didn't think she appeared nervous during her opening statement at all, but then I heard it on radio, the medium that convinced Americans that Nixon had won his debate against Kennedy. Please don't ask me what point I am trying to make with that comment, because I clearly have no idea.
Actually, I Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081351238514507972004-04-07T10:20:00.000-05:002004-04-07T10:24:25.420-05:00
Good things
Hey, it's getting warmer! Last night, as I was walking home, the temperature was around 70 degrees. For Chicagoans, this is truly a marvelous development. The patio outside (outside!) of Mickey's on Clark street was choked with people eating, drinking, and reveling in their release from winter-imposed house-arrest. Spirits are high just about everywhere you find yourself. The Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081349383288423072004-04-07T09:49:00.000-05:002004-04-07T09:53:29.670-05:00
Ashcroft's War
Well, I can't think of anything else the Justice Department should be doing, can you? I mean, all the Jihadis are in jail, right? Right?
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081264427263194672004-04-06T10:13:00.000-05:002004-04-06T10:17:32.780-05:00
Longing for Saddam
Probably the most pro-american Iraqi blogger is starting to see some good things about Saddam's regime.
Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081261281867488392004-04-06T09:21:00.000-05:002004-04-06T09:25:07.326-05:00
Religion has got to go
Every single opinion expressed in this article strikes me as ignorant and backward. In the middle east, religion is a disease of the mind. I think we need to flood the region with atheist and agnostic missionaries. If only there was such a thing. People who could go from town to town and spread the good news that you don't have to spend every goddamn waking moment in fearCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1081182160473764482004-04-05T11:22:00.000-05:002004-04-05T11:26:24.653-05:00
This past weekend has been more eventful weekend than of late. Friday night, Itir and I attended a lovely dinner at the University club downtown for Cambridge and Oxford alumni. The alumna in question here is Itir, of course, having received an MPhil from Cambridge. I went to the fine institution of San Francisco State University. Talk about marrying up, college-wise. In spite of the enormous Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1080847190890095812004-04-01T13:19:00.000-06:002004-04-01T13:23:29.733-06:00
Bush's War Record
Apparently, the testimony of Richard Clarke has received tremendous publicity, and a recent poll indicates that over %50 of the population believes that the Bush was lax on terror before 9/11. Also, a majority believes that Bush has been more interested in invading Iraq than fighting terrorism. In spite of these two perceptions, Bush's approval rating on the struggle against Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1080767517383651512004-03-31T15:11:00.000-06:002004-03-31T15:15:34.996-06:00
Air America Flies Today
Now whoever may have read this blog and seen my distaste for President Bush probably has concluded that I am a liberal. I don't really know if this is true or not. I want National Health Care (So did Thatcher) and the elimination of the Federal Department of Education, so you tell me what I am. I took a test at ontheissues.org, and they told me I am a "left-leaning Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-108066559394303432004-03-30T10:53:00.000-06:002004-03-30T10:57:00.326-06:00
Rice to Testify
I don't know about you, but if I were Rice, I would be plenty pissed off about this. Just two days ago, she was on 60 minutes saying "I would love to testify, but there is a very important principle at stake." And now, two days later, it appears she will testify, thereby apparently abandoning a very important principle. This makes her look terrible. I can see her talking to RoveCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1080588507168854722004-03-29T13:28:00.000-06:002004-03-29T13:32:01.716-06:00
Does it matter what non-Americans think?
There was a recent editorial in Le Figaro (a conservative French newspaper) that said that while it should be kept quiet by the French public, John Kerry is a friend to France, and should be (silently) supported. It has been remarked that foreign support for John Kerry could work against him, as many "red-blooded" Americans view support from Europe with Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1080317602324558822004-03-26T10:13:00.000-06:002004-03-26T10:16:52.826-06:00
Executive Privilege
OK, so Dr. Rice wants to meet with the 9/11 comission, but she wants to meet in private. She's exercising executive privilege here, claiming that only if advice to the president is confidential, can it be utterly untainted. OK. I can see that. Sure. But now I hear that she wants to testify, only not under oath. This makes no sense to me. There is nothing about being Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1080235697884061072004-03-25T11:28:00.000-06:002004-03-25T11:32:31.060-06:00
Baby it's Cold Outside
Every morning, I wait to catch a bus at the Purple Line Linden station, in Evanston. Waiting there along with me every morning, is a squat, stocky woman in her sixties who wears an american flag headscarf. Occasionally, this woman will address the various passengers waiting for their respective buses. It usually goes something like this, delivered in a resigned, Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1080154845933356032004-03-24T13:00:00.000-06:002004-03-24T13:04:13.983-06:00
Kerry's "flip-flop"
The criticism of John Kerry for his alleged "flip-flopping" has got to be the most perfect example of what is wrong with political discourse today. John Kerry supported an 87 billion dollar appropriation that included a tax increase to pay for it, and opposed an 87 billion dollar appropriation that did not include a tax increase. George W. Bush opposed an 87 billion dollar Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1080146163511646622004-03-24T10:36:00.000-06:002004-03-24T10:39:30.950-06:00
Supreme Court to Consider Pledge's 'Under God' Phrase
I know this case is before the Supreme Court, and that means it's important, but I really can't get up any strong feelings other than mild annoyance at both sides. On the one hand, we have Michael Newdow, a disaffected, angry atheist emergency-room doctor with a law degree and a chip on his shoulder. It's not hard to imagine this guy railingCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1080058177916434802004-03-23T10:09:00.000-06:002004-03-23T10:13:15.170-06:00
'Fun Stuff'
Every week, I go to this little cafe near my office for lunch. I always order the same thing, a cheeseburger. I walk up to the counter and say "A half-pounder please, with cheddar." Every time, the guy behind the counter responds "You don't want grilled onions? or bacon? or any of that fun stuff?" This always makes me a little sad because it's obviously a sales pitch dressed up to Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1079975687840496332004-03-22T11:14:00.000-06:002004-03-22T11:18:12.843-06:00
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Is it too early to call this the best film of the year? Possibly not. Yesterday afternoon, within five minutes of leaving the theater, I told Itir that I thought that this was the best screenplay ever written. Today as I think it over I still can't think of another that compares. This is Kaufmann's masterpiece. This is the fulfillment of the promise Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1079646882301205292004-03-18T15:54:00.000-06:002004-03-18T15:58:02.326-06:00
These last few days my mind has been flooded with memories of Madrid. I have only been there twice, but that city made the most remarkable impression on me. When I arrived in Madrid for the first time, I took the train in from Chamartin to Puerta del Sol, in the middle of the city. I was struggling with my map, and was immediately surrounded by ten extremely nice and helpful fellow passengers. Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1079541145221091522004-03-17T10:32:00.000-06:002004-03-17T10:35:43.076-06:00
Aznar's misdeeds
Various stories have emerged about Aznar's arrogant, manipulative behavior following the 3-11 attacks. Apparently, immediately after the attacks, Aznar personally called several newspapers and informed them that ETA was responsible, and encouraged them to report so. Diplomats pushed Security Council resolution 1530 through the UN which "condemned in the strongest terms the bombCurtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5947671.post-1079452090441679982004-03-16T09:48:00.000-06:002004-03-16T09:52:19.873-06:00
Did Aschenbach cut the cheese?
This past Friday, my wife and I settled in for a quiet night with a movie. The movie was Death in Venice . It was quite good, I thought, in spite of the fact that director Luchino Visconti treated the novel not as a subject for adaptation, but rather a screenplay, the effect being that the movie seems more like a collection of vivid illustrations that serve as a Curtis Erharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05553948199010257954noreply@blogger.com0