2013 Kind Of Sucked

Maybe the Mayans were right after all.

Or maybe that means 2014 will be awesome.

Cleek's Rule

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/12/30/135811/87

Cleek's Rule is that modern conservatives are most animated by hating whatever liberals are for.  Updated hourly.

This is example #899,082,772.

Vaya Con Dios, Senor Gonzalez

Sorry your last season was awful.

Remembering

A few hours at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza reminds me of why I was a Marxist as a kid.

The Last Dispatch From The War On Christmas

Compare this.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/23/new-free-market-jesus-bible-promises-less-christian-charity-more-ass-kicking-capitalism/

To this.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/read-full-text-of-pope-francis-christmas-message-for-true-peace-not-a-faa-ade

Watching conservatives cope with Pope Frankie is going to be increasingly fun.

Fleas Naughty Dog

Imagine Your Christmas If You Hadn't Seen This

Cry Uncle

uncle (n) - an older male relative who has mastered the art of losing close games to children.

Still Alive

17 hour drive, but still breathing...

Sochi

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/12/mikhail_khodorkovsky_how_obama_s_snub_of_putin_s_sochi_olympics_may_lead.html

When I heard that many top western leaders were basically skipping Sochi, I wondered what the effect would be on Putin. Apparently, it was salutary.

There is a school of thought that the Olympics and World Cup can be used to prod recalcitrant regimes towards international norms. In China, not so much, unless you count their move towards some environmental responsibility.

But China is important globally, in a way that Russia still isn't, despite Putin's desire to return Russia to its former glory.

One does wonder how this is playing in Russia.  Since Putin's basic appeal is nationalism and Russian greatness, having to bow towards international pressure will have to be massaged.  There is always a danger in pushing Russia too far and too fast on anything.

Still, I would like to see at least one figure skater in a rainbow suit...

One-Third

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/19/new-mexicos-highest-court-rules-gay-marriage-legal

With New Mexico joining the 21st century, by my account a third of Americans currently live in states that have legalized same sex marriage.  That does not include states like Colorado and Wisconsin that have civil unions and partnerships that figure to become the next states with legalized same sex marriage.

After that, the low hanging fruit is kind of gone.  You would need a major shift in the structure of power in the legislatures of Michigan and Pennsylvania for them to embrace equality.

Otherwise, it will come down - as it did in New Mexico - to the Courts, and eventually the Supreme Court will have to strike down DOMA.

Some day soon...

Mike Allen At #1 On The Hack List

http://www.salon.com/2013/12/19/hack_list_no_1_mike_allen/

I would have voted for Roger Cohen, but it's hard to argue with Pareene's logic.

Who Could Number One Be?

http://www.salon.com/writer/alex_pareene/

Do they have to be print journalists?  If not, Lara Logan.  If so, I have no idea.  Megan McArdle?

Thank FSM TBogg Came Back

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/17/wont-you-please-help-liz-cheney-save-america-from-evil-liberal-john-mccain/

Hilarious...

I'll Endorse This