Photocarl

The Tea Party: The Modern Know-Nothing Party

carlf — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:53:00 +0000

Throughout the history of America, there have been periods of dangerous reactionaries playing on the emotions of a justly angry populace for their own political gain or personal profit. Unfortunately, we seem to be in such a period today.

I am a long-time conservative. I believe in limited government and have a natural hatred of bureaucracies. The current administration is currently engaged in a wholesale expansion of the power of the Federal government. Conservatives can and should attack Obama on that point. This attack should be rational and fact based. Instead, consider the ideas being peddled by Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, and the ranting blogosphere:

Obama is a closet Muslim, antichrist, or communist
Obama is not a real US citizen
The Democrats are going to take everyone’s guns
Death boards will euthanize the elderly
We should repeal the 14th amendment

This list brings to mind William F. Buckley’s quote, “I won’t insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.” This combination of fear-mongering, thinly veiled racism, and ignorance may be working in some districts but it is more a measure of the dismal performance of the Democrats than the brilliance of Tea Party rhetoric. Given enough time, the madness being pushed by Tea Party candidates and leaders will destroy the Republican Party. Consider the history of the Know-Nothing Party. Their platform was based on hatred of Catholics rather than Mexicans and Muslims but, in the end, hatred is not a party platform.

The renaissance of the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan was not based on reactionary nonsense. It was based on a cohesive world view; a positive world view, mind you. Willam Kristol, William F. Buckley, Jr., and John Chamberlain were intellectuals of the highest order. Today, we have Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, and Mark Levin. These people are noted for their volume and rancor but not for their intelligence. That the party has fallen so low should be saddening for all members. I know it is for this one.

Drunk History

carlf — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:44:54 +0000

These have been around for a while but are insanely hilarious. Excessive alcohol + Nonsensical History = Awesome.

Russia in Color

carlf — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:59:27 +0000

The Boston Globe has put out a collection of color photos taken in the early 1900s by the request of Tsar Nicholas II. Color photography back then was a nightmare requiring three separate shots with three different filters. Each shot required long exposures and an almost perfectly static subject. The images were recombined when displayed. The vividness and quality of these photos stands out even today. The technical proficiency displayed by these images is astonishing.

Mandatory Radios in Cell Phones

carlf — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:49:31 +0000

The RIAA and the NAB are lobbying to force every cell phone and PDA sold in the US to include an FM radio. The absurdity of that statement breaks my brain. In other news, buggy whip manufacturers insist that you must by a whip for every new Corolla.

Unicorn Being a Jerk

carlf — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:40:22 +0000

Unicorns may fart rainbows and cure leukemia, but some times a unicorn is just a jerk.

So You Need a Typeface

carlf — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:31:43 +0000

If you are choosing a typeface for something, you could do worse than this guide. It’s so awesome I’ll even forgive the inclusion of Comic Sans as an option.

Carl Kassell is the Man

carlf — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:36:34 +0000

Those of you who know and love NPR will know Carl Kassell well. His retirement from daily reporting was a great loss but I still listen to him every week on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me. I lust mightily for his voice on my home answering machine. Howard Stern, ignorant philistine that he is, mocked Carl Kassell on his show. Carl responds.

A Field Guide to Typestaches

carlf — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:14:46 +0000

It’s has fonty nerdiness and mustaches. How can you go wrong?

Hot Waxy Nostalgia

carlf — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:35:44 +0000

If you were ever at the LA Zoo in the 80′s, you’re sure to remember those machines that made cheap wax sculptures of lions and tigers and such. They were called Mold-A-Ramas. They have been largely forgotten by most but Tim Striggow keeps the memory alive

The Most Honest Politician

carlf — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:13:10 +0000

When Mike Reilly lost at his third try for mayor of a small suburb of Vancouver, he took an unusual step. He tried to claim his campaign expenses as a business expense. The Canada Revenue Agency took him to court over it. His argument is as surprising as it is honest. He did not run for office because he cared about other people or the town he lived in. He ran because he expected it to be good for business. The Globe and Mail reports:

Lawyers for the CRA seemed incredulous, according to court filings, and kept insisting that Mr. Reilly must have felt passionate about some issues. “You know, I don’t recall being passionate about any issues other than seizing an opportunity to step in and develop a better profile for myself,” Mr. Reilly replied. “No. It was strictly business for me.”

If every other politician was given a truth serum, how many would say the same thing? In any case, he lost his claim but plans to run for a fourth time this September.