It's been 7 years since the Towers came tumbling down, and I still want to believe that it's a dream that I just cannot wake up from. Anyway, Ace reposted his 2007 memorial. It's worth reading in its entirety, but I'll excerpt a few bits below to whet your appetite:

For a time, for a week after, we were all united. There is no tragedy that does work some small amount of good by bringing people together, if only for a time, if only because the pain of enduring is too much for any one to bear alone. It was a false unity, of course. We would later learn that we had not come together closer -- at least, not more than superficially, and not more than temporarily -- and had in fact moved further apart than ever before. The problem was, of course, that 9/11 had profound implications for Americans' divergent worldviews. For conservatives like us, it confirmed -- like nothing, nothing had done before, at least not since World War II -- that there were monstrous evils in the world for whom the only acceptable solution was purposeful and relentless violence.

For another group, the liberals, 9/11 was a blip, a short-term disruption of their worldview. For a while we believed we were united, but we were not. Liberals held that greater than any enemy was warfare itself. The necessary implications of this were that all possible courses of action were preferable to the United States engaging in acts of warfare, and further, that it must be true that the United States had within it the power to avoid all war simply by modifying its own behavior. One must believe that if one is truly pacifist: If one believes war can and must be avoided at all costs, one must by implication believe one can and must avoid war at all costs by changing the behavior of one's own country, for changing the behavior of other countries can only be accomplished via war and lesser, but still warlike, means.

Update: No 9/11 remembrance would be complete without a link to Michele's Voices Project, a great collection of stories and essays. Be sure to check out her PJM article as well.

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Rather than discuss -again- the ugly nature of politics, I'll mention something that's a great deal more important to me: my wife and I are expecting child #3. It's an exciting time, to be sure, but I'm already preparing for the inevitable comments at his/her high school graduation:

"Oh, isn't that sweet. Your grandfather came to your graduation."

For the record, I consider that a feature, not a bug.

Update: All of you are making be blush. Thanks for your well wishes. Like I did with #2, I'll post a newborn picture as soon after birth as I'm able to take a breath. Considering that I'll be caring for 2 other children, that might be sometime around 2020.

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1 Congrats! Are children Primo and Secundo looking forward to having a new podling to torment?

Posted by: Kat at September 10, 2008 04:26 PM (I8MKL)

2 Congrats! You're a braver man than I (so far, and possibly in perpetuity).

Posted by: Steve G. at September 10, 2008 07:02 PM (OZ45l)

3 Congratulations on providing the species with another chance to overcome sheer stupidity! I'm very happy for all of you!

Posted by: caltechgirl at September 10, 2008 11:45 PM (IfXtw)

4 Congratulations!

Posted by: Gaz at September 10, 2008 11:58 PM (w6fnH)

5 Congrats!

Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at September 11, 2008 09:42 AM (PvqFn)

6 Way to go. You realize now you have to switch to zone defense. Like my wife said. "3 is optimal, we'll have a pair and a spare. There is always one screw up that will either get themselves killed or at least can't take care of themselves, and usually there is one that will go to art school and be 35 before they 'find themselves'. With three I can be sure that at least ONE of them will be able to take care of me in my old age... you aren't going to make it to old age so I don't have to worry about you." Luckily we now have three good kids, but they are still small enough that could change. Good luck

Posted by: Ryan at September 11, 2008 02:25 PM (RNENT)

7 You're messing up the pattern unless there is something Tiff hasn't told us yet

Posted by: Andrea at September 11, 2008 09:14 PM (j4Z3+)

8 Andrea, When did you start drifting around these parts?

Posted by: physics geek at September 11, 2008 09:55 PM (KcJan)

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From an expected source.

John Scalzi and I differ quite a bit politically, but he's always given the impression of being a decent guy, and not just at his book signings. Anyway, he makes the following comment, which I think everyone should read:

And at the end of the proverbial day, this election is the guys who are the headliners: about McCain and Obama, and their policies and plans, or lack thereof. One of these guys is a rock star, and the other isn’t — and to be honest, I hope that doesn’t matter, either. What should matter, and what I hope will matter, is the substance of the two candidates. Substance is not what people come to “rock stars” for. But it should be what we look for in a president.

Update: He also doesn't take kindly to anyone, regardless of political stripe, crapping in his sandbox:

Also remember that this site gets lots of people of all sorts of political persuasion visiting, including persuasions that arenÂ’t mine, and I see that as a feature, not a bug. Also, you know what? Each of them are my guests. Please donÂ’t be rude to my guests. Because then I might be compelled to be rude to you. And as we all know, IÂ’m really good at being rude.

I've seen Mr. Scalzi angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

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Frank J. echoes pretty much what I was thinking while watching McCain's speech last night:

He's McCain; what else can you say. You may not like him, but it will be hard to meet anyone half the man he is.

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And humor. Sweet, delicious, wicked humor.

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The NFL season kicks off tonight. I'm tempted to watch the game rather than McCain's speech. However, since I sat through Obama's speech, I'll probably keep sharp objects away and watch McCain who, as apparent to anyone who reads this blog, I am not a fan of.

Related note: One of my favorite sports shows of all time, Inside the NFL, was finally canceled last year after airing for 30 years or so on HBO. I watched it off and on (more off when a newborn was around) for the entire time. However, it appears that Showtime picked up the series. Chris Collingsworth will be back and they've added James Brown and Warren Sapp. I look forward to seeing how it all turns out.

Speaking of Collingsworth, let me go back to when HBO added him to the host list, joining two Hall of Famers. That first year, Chris was somewhat soft spoken and deferential to the two elder statesmen. He really hit his stride the following year and has continued to improve as a football analyst since then. Anyone who watches him on TV now would never think to call him un-opinionated. Quite the opposite in fact. Kudos to Showtime for keeping him on. Whatever they're paying him, it will be worth it.

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I like the Palin pick for VP, but is it possible that the excitement and enthusiasm felt by conservatives and libertarians is limited to political junkies like me? In other words, are most people so out of touch and politically unaware that this pick makes no difference whatsoever to them?

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Quoted in its entirety:

ne of them is little more than an elegant, attractive, dare I say sexy piece of eye candy.

The other one kills her own food.

Related update Related because I say so. From KP:

Dems have been comparing Palin to Joe Biden and laughing derisively at the contrast. But for some reason, the comparison between Obama and McCain - who are light years apart in terms of experience - doesn't incite the same level of concern or condescension.

I actually buy the Obama camp's original argument that Washington experience isn't the only thing that matters. Life experience, thoughtfulness, intellectual curiosity, a willingness to listen and learn, shared values and an ability to inspire and communicate - all count as much.

The jury is still out on Palin but the argument that Washington experience isnt the most important criteria still holds true, even if you have ovaries.

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I've always enjoyed Stephen Green's drunkblogging of things political. Tonight, though, he must still be fairly sober, because he's acting a little pissed off:

8:48PM If Colorado isnÂ’t in play, I planned on voting for Bob Barr. But Obama is being so dishonest tonight that IÂ’m tempted to vote for McCain out of spite.

8:47PM Obama just had the gaul to claim that he wonÂ’t challenge McCainÂ’s character. ItÂ’s not HIS fault that McCain is evil.

8:45PM Tough, direct Â… diplomacy! I negotiate in your general direction!

8:44PM “…Strained our oldest alliances.” Like all those right wingers recently elected in France and Germany and Italy who see our side more and more?

8:42PM Did Obama REALLY just accuse McCain of being unwilling to pursue bin Laden? I donÂ’t like McCain. I donÂ’t (yet) plan to vote for McCain. But I would NOT go around impugning John McCainÂ’s manhood.

I told my wife that political conventions have all the honesty of used car salemen
and all the spontaneity of Broadway musicals. She asked, "So how else are people supposed to know what the candidates say?" I responded that I don't care what they say; I pay attention to what they do. Of course, I'm a political junkie and pay attention to these things. She pointed out that most Americans don't pay any attention at all and therefore get easily persuaded by these dog and pony shows. Sadly, she is absolutely correct. Here are the likely responses to convention speeches:

1) He's/She's pretty.

2) Gee, that sounded good. Maybe I can get a free pony, too!

3) Yeah, he/she is going to create 5 million new jobs. [ed. note: this was called vaporware back when I was a programmer]

Fuck, I'm depressed. I expect to be no less depressed watching the GOP bullshit next week.

Update: Via Ken in the comments comes this doozy:

MOOSEBURGERS FOR EVERYONE!

And via Gerard comes little doozy:

"The smart liberals are worried. The dumb ones think they've won."

I've been reading a lot of dumb liberals today.

Final update: From in the tank for Obama land:

For me, the more I think about it, the more this pick is about McCain's contempt for Obama. He really seems to think that Palin is as qualified as Obama to be president.

I know that Andrew isn't really that stupid and it's just his man crush forcing him to say stupid shit like this. The Palin pick might well not work out, but trying to pretend that Obama's 150 days in the Senate followed by 2 years campaigning for president makes him magically qualified to be president isn't wishful thinking, it's absolutely bathshit insane. Then again, this IS Andrew we're talking about.

Posted by: Physics Geek at 09:57 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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I can barely stand the spectacle our national party conventions are. They're full of completely rehearsed bullshit passed on as the truth and accepted as gospel by one group of people and discarded as ignorant lies by the other half. It's even worse this year, what with the GOP nominating John McCain. Believe me when I tell you that conservatives and libertarians aren't, like Keith Olbermann, soiling themselves in ecstasy over the opportunity to vote for the Maverick.

However. As much as I understand the "our guys are great/your guys suck" mood after each speech is given, I simply cannot fathom the complete disconnect from reality at places like BugFuckCrazy Juice. To hear John Cole tell it, unlike many actual Democrat strategists, the convention has been such a dandy success that the coming "disaster" of the GOP convention will only further cement the Obamamessiah's lead among the electorate. And while I know that Cole is completely in the tank for Obama to the point that he neglects to remove The Chosen One's cock from his mouth while typing, I'm still amazed at what idle drool he assumes is intelligent analysis. In fact, about the only thing he said that makes sense is the fact that the Republican base is not excited about voting for McCain, something so obvious that it probably took Mr. Cole only a month or so to figure out.

Even as someone who plans to vote 3rd party this year, I've got to say that the thought of how unhinged OlberCole would become if their Greek God manages to lose to McCain does make me smile. Watching the ensuing meltdown would almost be worth being forced to live through a McCain presidency. Almost.

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Annoyed by those effing Flash content ads loading on seemingly every single webpage? Don't be. Simply add Flashblock to Firefox and voila! No more Flash content. You can, of course, view the content by clicking on it, but you won't be forced to listen to or watch crappy ads by default.

Posted by: Physics Geek at 08:45 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Interestingly, some douchebag self-important dickbag judge in NZ has ruled that the names of of accused murderers Nathan Tuiti Reo Mutunga Williams and Daniel Bobby Tumata cannot be published on the web. I think that that is going to prove quite problematic to this judge. I anxiously await his next ruling in which he will declare "the sun shall not rise in the east".

Thanks to Bill Quick for the link.

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From Neal Boortz comes this preview of Hillary's speech tonight:

more...

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I had an aunt die from a brain tumor. It was a horrible, awful death that I wouldn't wish on anyone, not even someone as loathsome as I consider Senator Kennedy. Anyway, listening to the tribute given to said senator at the DNC tonight, one thought kept running through my brain: Mary Jo Kopechne was unable to attend.

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Received via email from my mother, of all people:

Electile Dysfunction: the inability to become aroused over any of the choices for President put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

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In honor of this week's Great American Mile High Snoozefest, I give you Dave Barry's column. Excerpt:

But in the end, the focus of this convention will be on Barack Obama, who on Thursday night will receive the nomination in long-overdue recognition of a distinguished career of seeking the nomination. His goal, in his acceptance speech, will be to win over the undecided voters -- the people who are unsure of what he really stands for, or who have received emailed rumors that he is a Muslim, or a socialist, or a vampire, or a lesbian. His goal will be to show, with no disrespect to the Muslim socialist vampire lesbian community, that he is a regular person just like you, except he has Vision and Leadership. After that, he will lay out his specific policies for building a brighter future. Then he will turn into a bat.

No, he won't, although that would make this the most fun convention EVER.

I'm rooting for the bat thing myself, but I've got a perverse sense of humor.

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If you don't like paying the ridiculous fee that airport Internet cubes charge you, you might be interested in this little hack. Excerpt:

Without any hope of success I typed http://www.google.com/.jpg into my browser's adress bar, and to my big surprise I saw the page you see when you follow the link right now. The next thing I typed in was: http://www.google.com/?.jpg but that didn't work. But I went on, and found that url's like http://www.google.com/search?.jpg worked like a charm. I found that I could easily visit sites like slashdot, google, or even this weblog, when adding a ?.jpg at the end of the url.

Give it a try, if you're so inclined. The author also mentions a script that automatically appends that ?.jpg to each URL. I'm probably too lazy to do that, but give it a shot and let me know how it works out for you.

Posted by: Physics Geek at 04:02 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I wasn't even sure how to categorize this article:

In a press release, Crystal Mangum's manager has announced plans to release a tell-all memoir entitled "The Last Dance for Grace: The Crystal Mangum Story.
...
Were it not for the Duke Lacrosse Case, she likely would be described as a bright, young woman from Durham, North Carolina, who has had a difficult life."

I'm sure that this basket case will get lionized on all the liberal talk shows. The fact that the lacrosse players were exonerated will mean nothing to the hosts, much as it does now. In any event, I hope that the players sue her for the proceeds.

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From Megan McArdle:

It should be possible to debate the issues in this election at a level above "My guy's awesome and your guy is a big fat doody-head". But it doesn't seem to be. I find this profoundly depressing.

I've noticed the same thing the last couple of elections.

Update: Actually, John Scalzi has a pretty good comment of his own:

I think the race has tightened because thatÂ’s what often happens around this time, if IÂ’m not wildly mistaken. Do McCainÂ’s ads have anything to do with it? Oh, probably. So does the fact that Obama went on vacation. So does the fact that conservatives have unleashed their poo-flinging monkeys (see: Jerome Corsi), and so does the fact that some liberals have come around to the realization that Obama, does not, in fact, fart cinnamon-scented rainbows.

I kind of wish that I had come up with that particular line, but I suppose that there's a good reason or three that Mr. Scalzi writes for a living and I do not.

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No problem. Simply hot wire your car.

I still haven't tried the tennis ball key thing yet, so it's unlikely I'll go this route any time in the near future.

Posted by: Physics Geek at 08:40 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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