The Law of Unintended Consequences...

I thought this Cracked article was amusing and interesting. Helps explain why I'm a conservative.

6 Laws that were great on paper (but insane everywhere else).

Paglia on Sex...

I thought this was interesting, though I haven't even begun to examine whether I agree with it or not. At first read, it passes my plausibility test though.

Open And Massive Bigotry

Sorry I've been away. Just wanted to link to this New York Times article about opposition to a new mosque in Staten Island (where else?). Very chilling stuff; it describes a civic association meeting where the audience -- mostly white -- attacked Islam and the basic principle of freedom of religion. (I'm open to other interpretations, of course). A sample:

But just 20 minutes earlier, as Bill Finnegan stood at the microphone, came the meeting’s single moment of hushed silence. Mr. Finnegan said he was a Marine lance corporal, home from Afghanistan, where he had worked as a mediator with warring tribes.

After the sustained standing ovation that followed his introduction, he turned to the Muslims on the panel: “My question to you is, will you work to form a cohesive bond with the people of this community?” The men said yes.

Then he turned to the crowd. “And will you work to form a cohesive bond with these people — your new neighbors?”

The crowd erupted in boos. “No!” someone shouted.