Embarrassing

In other SI news, this image depicting the nations---all 3 of them---that have not adopted the metric system is quiet saddening.

Hodgman: Is Obama the Kwisatz Haderach?

Last Friday, at the Radio and TV Correspondents' Dinner, both President Barack Obama and author, comedian, actor, and personal computer John Hodgman addressed the audience. In Hodgman's address, he spoke of his hope that Obama would be the nerd President that many geeks have been dreaming of, and he quizzed the President on his geek credentials. This speech is must-see viewing for nerds everywhere.

Everything is Free

Speaking of music, I've also been listening to "Everything is Free" by Swedish band The Tiny. The Tiny defies classification, at least by someone of my limited musical knowledge. You might call them chamber goth, but more minimal and much cuter than Rasputina. Or something. Anyway, "Everything is Free" is a languid, sad commentary on communism, as far as I can tell. I encourage you to check out the song and the band.

Smick-Smack

I made up the noun form of this onomatopoetic perfectly cromulent word while out for a walk with Alison and Newton:

smick-smack, noun.  A flat, backless rubber sandal secured to the foot by a thong passing between the first two toes, a flip-flop.

So, of course I had to develop a verb form:

smick-smack, verb.  To suddenly reverse one's direction, position, or attitude, to flip-flop.

Example:  The senator smick-smacked on the question of subsidising American smick-smack production.

31 Days in Office

Given the weather expected in the District tomorrow, let's hope Barack Obama doesn't follow in William Henry Harrison's footsteps.

State

For the record, even before Barack Obama was elected, I predicted that he would appoint Hillary Clinton his Secretaty of State.

Ooo! Secrets!

I found this link on another blog I read and thought I'd share it (thanks, Ken, for suggesting I do so). Here is the setup, quoted directly from the introduction to the article:

The disclosures are among many revealed in "How He Did It, 2008," the latest installment in NEWSWEEK's Special Election Project, which was first published in 1984. As in the previous editions, "How He Did It, 2008" is an inside, behind-the-scenes account of the presidential election produced by a special team of reporters working for more than a year on an embargoed basis and detached from the weekly magazine and Newsweek.com. Everything the project team learns is kept confidential until the day after the polls close.

Schadenfreude Pie

Obama fans in the readership might want to bake a schadenfreude pie today.

Yes

Yes we can.

Obama Advertises in Paradise City

Check it out: Barack Obama is advertising on virtual billboards in Burnout Paradise.

McCain Flip-Flops Against Stem-Cell Research

Senator John McCain has previously voiced support for federal funding of research on embryonic stem cells, research which has the potential to dramatically improve treatment of many illnesses. This week he released a statement indicating that his stance is now much more in line with the Republican Party's platform.  In particular, he would not only continue George Bush's denial of federal funding for ESC research, but also criminalize somatic cell nuclear transfer, a procedure which yields stem cells that are genetically identical to a patient's own cells and thus immensely useful.

This move by McCain is clearly aimed at winning over religios extrememists in the Republican base, and it adds to my hope that Obama will be elected. 

Once More, With Feeling, Dick

Whedonesque just pointed me to this interesting article from yesterday about Dick Cheney's editing of Intellipedia.

Theater Review: Capitol Steps

I somehow forgot to mention that, for our belated Valentine's Day celebration, Alison and I went to see the Capitol Steps. The Steps are composed mostly of former Congressional staffers, and they perform sketches of topical political satire, usually dressed as prominent political figures. Most of the sketches are musical parodies, but some are simple comedy skits, and they usually have a spoonerism-laden monologue at each performance. We found it quite entertaining.

Overall, I give the Steps 7.5 out of 10. If you live in the DC area and have any interest in politics,* you should check them out in person. If you don't live near the District, I believe you can frequently see them on PBS stations.

* I think the government puts politics in the water here, along with the fluoride, so I probably didn't need to include that second condition.

Obama Sweeps the Potomac

Barack Obama appears to have gone 3-for-3 in today's Democratic primaries, wining Maryland, Virginia, and DC. Obama has now pulled ahead of Hillary Clinton in the delegate count. Meanwhile, John McCain solidified his lead in the Republican delegate race.

This is getting interesting.

Dover

This evening, I watched a fascinating episode of Nova on my local PBS station. The ep was a 2-hour summary of the Dover intelligent-design/creationism case. I encourage you to watch it online.

Nothing Fails Like Prayer

My former overlord, Masta, just brought this piece of news to my attention. Sonny Perdue, the Governor of Georgia, where I lived two states ago and which is currently in a drought, is holding a service at the Capitol building to pray for rain. That's right, not only is he clearly endorsing religion, but he is also using state funds to pay for this shindig. Plus, he seems to expect it to actually work. Holy flurking schnit.

I'm sure George Bush is quite proud.

Economic Consequences

Brian posted a link to this interesting and educational article on the economic ramifications of the Bush presidency. I suggest you check it out.

Politics on the Brain?

I heard about this today and thought it was fascinating! If you have access to the actual scientific journal article I highly recommend checking it out. It was published in Nature Neuroscience in the September 9, 2007 issue.

Conservapedia: Just as Biased as it Sounds

Lisa recently brought the Conservapedia to my attention. This Wikipedia article describes it pretty thoroughly: It's a wiki-based encyclopedia designed to counter the perceived liberal, anti-Christian, anti-American bias of Wikipedia. I sampled a few articles, and its own conservative, pro-Christian, anti-foreigner bias is far stronger than anything I've ever seen in Wikipedia. Just check out the Breaking News section of the main page for a sampling.

Primary And General Election Polling Results

The 'Pedia has some informative articles summarizing the opinion-poll results related to the Democratic presidential primary, Republican presidential primary, and presidential election. Here're my summaries of the summaries:

• Democratic primary: Clinton has lead from the get-go. Obama consistently finishes second, about 15 points behind. Gore does surprisingly well, given that he hasn't campaigned or even entered the race.
• Republican primary: Giuliano usually leads, but Thompson occasionally sneaks ahead.
• Presidential election: In two-way contests, Clinton usually beats all the Republicans, though Giuliani sometimes bests her. Interestingly, Gore also usually beats the Republicans, though he is also sometimes beaten by Giuliani. Obama, meanwhile, consistently looses to Giuliani.
  

Fascinating.

Incidentally, I think it'd be hilarious if Clinton is nominated and selects Gore as her running-mate. All the Dems who never scraped the "Clinton-Gore '92" and "'96" stickers off their bumpers will be glad for their procrastination.