Again, I think there's a clear distinction between criticizing the artistic or political merits of the cartoons (which were, admittedly, not very good) and expressing solidarity in the context of free speech. Many European leaders were a little too eager to let aesthetic judgments influence their commitment to free speech after the cartoons were published, which strikes me as a pretty dangerous precedent.
I think this is basically correct. I read the op-ed as a criticism of Europe's half-hearted commitment to free speech rather than a full-throated defense of the cartoons' artistic or political merit.
I remember watching it and feeling a crushing sense of disappointment afterward. I think Verhoeven admitted he didn't actually finish reading the book, which strikes me as a complete waste of great source material.
Sorry, Joseph. The computer recording crashed so we had to go to our backup, which uses the .wma format. Incidentally, this is also why all the "behind the scenes" dialogue is included.
Look, there have been plenty of procedurally-focused movements in American politics. The '80s reform alliance between pro-simplify the tax code liberals and supply-side conservatives who wanted to cut taxes immediately comes to mind - and they actually succeeded in getting tax reform passed in '86.
I'm short on time so I can't do justice to your excellent responses, but if you get a chance, Manzi has written about this stuff pretty extensively at The American Scene and at Cato Unbound. I believe he's also done a few recent Bloggingheads episodes on climate change. Here's a good starting point:
Guys, seriously: NO ONE is denying the legitimacy of taxation under certain circumstances. The point is that our political terminology should actually explain what stuff does instead of deliberately obscuring real costs to make some reform seem more palatable.
By definition, a regulation that forces people to pay money for something is the functional equivalent of a tax. Whether or not that's justified is another question entirely, but let's at least be clear about the terms of the debate.
That's a good point, Nob. I'm generally in favor of subjecting climate change programs to rigorous cost-benefit analysis, but most conventional metrics (GDP, for example) don't capture the importance of keeping a place like Ifalik above water.
Great pick - I'll put that up as soon as I get the chance.
Jaybird -
I think you're right; rap is pretty self-referential and has definitely popularized sampling, but you don't hear too many covers. I have no idea why this is the case. Funk, soul, country and folk, on the other hand . . .
On ““The West is Choked by Fear””
Again, I think there's a clear distinction between criticizing the artistic or political merits of the cartoons (which were, admittedly, not very good) and expressing solidarity in the context of free speech. Many European leaders were a little too eager to let aesthetic judgments influence their commitment to free speech after the cartoons were published, which strikes me as a pretty dangerous precedent.
"
I think this is basically correct. I read the op-ed as a criticism of Europe's half-hearted commitment to free speech rather than a full-throated defense of the cartoons' artistic or political merit.
On “Preparing for the Worst”
Hah! Well said.
On “On the bounce”
I remember watching it and feeling a crushing sense of disappointment afterward. I think Verhoeven admitted he didn't actually finish reading the book, which strikes me as a complete waste of great source material.
"
Dude, seriously?
On “The Art of Magic in Fiction: An Interview with Lev Grossman”
This is one of the better interviews we've put up, methinks. Nice work, Erik.
On “Podcast: Holiday Movie Edition”
Sorry, Joseph. The computer recording crashed so we had to go to our backup, which uses the .wma format. Incidentally, this is also why all the "behind the scenes" dialogue is included.
On “A united progressive/tea-party front”
Look, there have been plenty of procedurally-focused movements in American politics. The '80s reform alliance between pro-simplify the tax code liberals and supply-side conservatives who wanted to cut taxes immediately comes to mind - and they actually succeeded in getting tax reform passed in '86.
On “Podcast: Holiday Movie Edition”
The fruit basket is on its way!
On “Why I’m supporting the Senate HCR bill”
Wait, how do you know that language will get stripped out of the final bill?
On “The Best Cover of All Time – The Final Countdown”
Great songs, but I preemptively disqualified them. A little too obvious for this corner of the 'sphere.
"
Link? If you can find it on YouTube, I'll put it up.
On “The Problem of Denial”
Nob, Francis -
I'm short on time so I can't do justice to your excellent responses, but if you get a chance, Manzi has written about this stuff pretty extensively at The American Scene and at Cato Unbound. I believe he's also done a few recent Bloggingheads episodes on climate change. Here's a good starting point:
http://www.cato-unbound.org/2008/08/11/jim-manzi/keeping-our-cool-what-to-do-about-global-warming/
On “conservatives as self-parodies”
Indeed. The Celts have been terribly mistreated under prolonged Anglo-Saxon occupation.
On “Jersey Shore”
Great quote, Dan.
On “Yes, an insurance mandate is a tax”
Yeah, I think that qualifies as a tax, however implicit.
"
If going pants-less is the norm, sure.
"
Guys, seriously: NO ONE is denying the legitimacy of taxation under certain circumstances. The point is that our political terminology should actually explain what stuff does instead of deliberately obscuring real costs to make some reform seem more palatable.
"
By definition, a regulation that forces people to pay money for something is the functional equivalent of a tax. Whether or not that's justified is another question entirely, but let's at least be clear about the terms of the debate.
On “The Climate of the Islander”
That's a good point, Nob. I'm generally in favor of subjecting climate change programs to rigorous cost-benefit analysis, but most conventional metrics (GDP, for example) don't capture the importance of keeping a place like Ifalik above water.
On “Good beer, good music”
This may get my nomination for comment of the year.
On “The Best Cover of All Time, Volume XIV”
I'm on the fence about that one, sidereal. It might be a little too obvious for my jaundiced tastes. Then again, it is really catchy.
On “The Best Cover of All Time, Volume XI”
Good call on BTS playing Freebird. A buddy of mine saw that performance live.
"
Klein -
Great pick - I'll put that up as soon as I get the chance.
Jaybird -
I think you're right; rap is pretty self-referential and has definitely popularized sampling, but you don't hear too many covers. I have no idea why this is the case. Funk, soul, country and folk, on the other hand . . .
On “The Best Cover of All Time, Volume VIII”
Teardrop is acceptable. I'm exercising my editorial discretion with respect to "Such Great Heights," mainly because that song drives me up the wall.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.