The GOP Race: Romney v Whomever Wins Iowa

Though this column isn't especially kind to my home state of Iowa (to put it mildly...), I link to it because I agree with the central point:

The 2012 GOP primary race comes down to Mitt Romney v whomever-wins-Iowa. I think that the candidates sense this, as well.

Rick Perry's college transcript

Texas Governor Rick Perry's recently-leaked college transcript from Texas A & M doesn't inspire confidence in his smarts...though he did balance out that pathetic D in economics with an A in "world military systems." Does that tell us what kind of President he would aspire to be? "It's the economy, stupid," could be frighteningly apropos come January of 2013.

He also got an A (his only other A) in "Improv. of Learning," whatever that might be. Improvisation? Improvement? Improvidence?

And he managed a C in gym.

The Golden Age Of Foreign Films

Tara and I find ourselves increasingly watching foreign films these days. Most films being nominated for "Best Picture" recently are only reinforcing the notion that what's considered "quality" by critics is actually dreck. I think that critics have had to lower their standards in determining which films are extraordinary.

Case in point: "Black Swan." Tara and I watched it earlier this week. It's basically a low-grade horror film posing as an art movie. And Natalie Portman simply acts like Natalie Portman in every film.

I did fear that my current attraction to foreign cinema means that I am becoming snooty and elitist--two traits I am desperate to avoid.

But columnist David Ignatius agrees with me. And he scores extra points when he praises last year's REAL Best Picture: "Winter's Bone."

My Congress Raised The Debt Limit, And All I Got Was This Lousy Economy

After the debt ceiling was lifted, US debt increased to 100% of gross domestic product. A dangerous level of debt is achieved at 60 percent.

That's because Congress is no longer making practical decisions, it is only making political decisions.

Steve King hopes for more accidental babies!

I've already blogged about the embarrassing remarks of an Iowa state representative, Rich Anderson of Clarinda, in which Representative Anderson decried gay marriages as ones that cannot produce children accidentally (which he thought was a good thing--even labeling it "responsible procreation").

Now, in arguing against insurance coverage for birth control, Congressman Steve King (mine through redistricting...though he'll never get my vote) indicated that he believes that unintended pregnancies are the future of civilization. I'll repeat my exact comments to Representative Anderson below, now directing them toward Congressman King:

I work in family law, and any family lawyer will tell you that we spend a distressing amount of our time dealing with males and females who have accidentally created children together. But I would never DARE to call that responsible procreation, and you're a fool for even suggesting that. It's the most irresponsible procreation imaginable--resulting in children being raised by parents who barely know one another, custody fights, unpaid child support, abuse allegations, estrangement, acrimony, and downright hatred.

Responsible procreation DEMANDS effective, safe, affordable birth control. Reducing abortions DEMANDS effective, safe, affordable birth control.

British humor doesn't extend to poking fun at Parliament

This is HILARIOUS:

The Daily Show - Parliament Slight
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"This evil transaction."

Via Deus Ex Malcontent. Brilliant.


And too late, but worth reading, is this, by James K. Galbraith over at New Deal 2.0: "Vote ‘No’ to the Debt Deal and Call in the Constitution." Senator Harkin explains his "no" vote here, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand explains hers here.

Finally, because he's so darn good:

The Daily Show - Dealageddon! - A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Compromise
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