Electoralblog's Weblog

The NYT gets one right

electoralblog — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:36:08 +0000

There’s a joke that if George Bush announced the world is flat, tomorrow’s NYT headline would be something like “Politicians’ Views Differ on Shape of World.” The point isn’t about political bias so much as the report-only-the-facts position many newspapers take, which can be a huge turn-off.

Newspapers are facing real trouble today – I think for good reasons – and that’s generally something I welcome. But if I’m going to criticize newspapers, it’s only fair that I point out when they do something right, like this tremendous 3-part series on NY’s foster care system. This is serious, painstaking investigative journalism, something the blogosphere doesn’t do.

What are you trying to say?

electoralblog — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:17:08 +0000

Emailed to Harvard engineering students:

Quoting [redacted] <[redacted]@seas.harvard.edu>:

> Hi,
> I was asked to forward this to you.
> Thanks
> [redacted]
> ************
> BEAUTY AND THE GEEK
>
> IS CASTING SEASON 5!!!
> ARE YOU A BEAUTY AND THINK YOU CAN HELP A GEEK?
> ARE YOU A GEEK AND WANT TO HELP A BEAUTY?
>
> COME TO OUR OPEN CALL!
>
> SATURDAY, Nov. 3rd 2007
>
>
> 1 Boylston Pl
> Boston, MA 02116
> 2pm – 9pm
> 617.351.7000
>
>

Ratty-nomics

electoralblog — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:13:53 +0000

Leaving aside the Michael Moore references etc., is there any evidence that preventive care actually reduces long-term medical costs? (Financial costs, I mean. I don’t doubt such care improves general health.) This seems like something that should be easy enough to test, and my not being able to find a serious answer makes me pessimistic about prospects for, like, actual fact-based healthcare reform.

Must read from Ben Stein on the U.S. economy

electoralblog — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:30:31 +0000

Here. My only quibble is that he suggests institutional investors are stupid when really they’re anything but.

Today’s outrage

electoralblog — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:33:25 +0000

He had refused to drop the camera which could be used as a weapon.

Why are certain laws not enforced?

electoralblog — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:03:54 +0000

A very interesting series from Tim Wu in Slate.

I also hate physicians because

electoralblog — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:08:13 +0000

they take bribes.

This is a good sign?

electoralblog — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:13:34 +0000

Pope JPII is back. Except he’s burning in the afterlife.

The NYT 1-2-3 Punch

electoralblog — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:03:23 +0000

I did do it.

Nobody knows the lynchings he’s seen.

Conservatives are such jokers.

House of Simeon

electoralblog — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:22:02 +0000

A fascinating photo-essay about building a house in Malawi. The post illustrates some of the economic challenges facing developing countries while conveying the richness of this ancient tradition.

The author is a friend of mine from college.