Sunday, October 03, 2004

Sunday 10/3 links

You, too, can take the Global Test, in either English or French ("the International Language of Diplomacy"). Sample question: "What is the objective of your desired act of imperialist aggression? (a) Unlawfully seize oil fields (0 points); (b) Install US puppet government (0 points); (c) Disarm megalomaniacal dictator with WMD (will need to submit authenticated proof--CIA or MI6 documents will not be acceptable) (100 points); (d) Encourage spread of democracy in region (-200 points); (e) Put down violent rebellion in former colony (10000 points)"

Ann Althouse heard that Teresa Heinz Kerry travels with her own sommelier. Conclusion: the would-be First Lady enjoys wining as much as whining.

From the DNC to all major mainstream media, for immediate release: you are now authorized to publish all long-planned "Kerry Komeback" material now gathering digital dust in inventory. You've got your marching orders, so get to it. Power Line blogger "Hindrocket," aka
John H. Hinderaker, describes how overhyped and misleading poll data will get the steamroller moving.

US News & World Report owner
Mortimer B. Zuckerman attributes the debate results to "Style Versus Substance." He does not consider the unfortunate reality that style sells ...

In the Chicago Sun-Times,
Mark Steyn freely admits that Pres. Bush speaks badly and smirks inappropriately, "but none of that matters. If John Kerry is so polished and eloquent and forceful and mellifluous, how come nobody has a clue what his policy on Iraq is?" The column also appears in the London Sunday Telegraph.

Blogger Beldar, aka
William J. Dyer, is incensed that Tom Brokaw dismisses Dan Rather's critics as "demagogues": "Who's the demagogue, Mr. Brokaw? Would you care to show me where in the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics it says that Mr. Rather and CBS News were entitled to knowingly collaborate in the propagation of forged documents in an attempt to enflame the emotions and prejudices of the populace and thereby defeat a sitting United States President?"

US News & World Report columnist
John Leo thinks the media have earned their "Self-inflicted wounds."

New York Times language maven
William Safire explores the origins of the terms "red/blue," "battleground," and "swing" states. Interesting stuff.

New York Daily News columnist
Zev Chafets puts his finger on the central truth of Iraq: democracy will not work there any better than it has anywhere else in the Arab world. The culture refutes it. Chafets concludes: "National security dictates only that the U.S. create and enforce a set of rules: no supporting terrorism, no invading neighbors, no acquiring weapons of mass destruction, no threatening the flow of oil."

Big surprise here:
Robert Winnett of The (London) Sunday Times reports that "Saddam 'bought UN allies' with oil." (Hat tip to "Hindrocket" aka John H. Hinderaker/Power Line)

New York Newsday columnist
James P. Pinkerton, writing inThe American Conservative, offers "7 Habits of Highly Effective Imperialists: Self-help for those who oppose self-rule."

No one in Chicago drinks "Old Style" beer anymore. It used to dominate the market (and it's great stuff). Commercial brands usually are extraordinarily valuable things--but what happens when a particular brand's time has passed? Chicago Tribune business writers
Jim Kirk and John Schmeltzer report.

In The (London) Observer,
David Smith reports that book-collecting suddenly is a hot number.

Newsweek columnist
George F. Will discusses "Modern Life In NFL Nation": "The best thing about NFL teams is the purity of their professionalism. None are appendages of institutions of higher education, so there is no damned nonsense about 'student athletes.'"

Droll London Telegraph humorist
Oliver Pritchett isn't taking any chances: "Careful, this column could be dangerous." Figurative small print figuratively abounds.

Miami Herald humorist
Dave Barry admits male fruit flies know more about sex than human men do. At least, they can rely upon instinct, which is more than humans can say.