KITCHEN ADVENTURE: I FIGHT TO THE FINISH…: This is very simple, but delectable and easily adaptable. I had never cooked spinach before; I cheated and used a bag of prewashed leaves. I strongly recommend cheating in this way. The alternative, apparently, involves filling your entire sink with water and spinach, and then eating the spinach that has been in your manky old sink. No thanks. Anyway, I used: Various cloves of garlic, chopped; cheatingly prewashed spinach; olive oil; button (=... Read more

DEPT. OF WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE: One of the reasons why I’m not particularly sanguine about our transhumanist future is that human ethical constraints are in large part a product of genetic coding. I do not buy the argument that rational self interest by itself provides enough basis to maintain a civilized society. Well, once biotechnology provides ways to enhance the ability to lie and the ability to feel less remorse or guilt won’t some people opt to... Read more

Heroic leadership–any leadership–is, like priesthood, statesmanship, even genius, a matter of externals almost as much as of internalities. The exceptional are both shown to and hidden from the mass of humankind, revealed by artifice, presented by theatre. The theatrical impulse will be strong in the successful politician, teacher, entrepreneur, athlete, or divine, and will be both expected and reinforced by the audiences to which they perform.–John Keegan, The Mask of Command Read more

GOOD BASIC POINT: “Don’t underestimate the ISF. While much has been made over here about the paucity of Iraqi units that are both at battallion strength and able to function independently, these figures ignore the fact that plenty of Iraqi units are quite capable of holding towns with a little Coalition support.” (Cacciaguida, on his son’s tour in Iraq) Read more

MICKEY KAUS VS. UNIONS: here and here. Read more

JUS IN BELLO: Bad news from Nephew. “‘It’s not that we want to go beat Iraqis, it’s just that you don’t want to pass a law saying beating Iraqis is bad,’ a senior defense official told reporters recently.” Because humans avoid abuse of power in the absence of rules prohibiting same. It’s why we’re so peaceful! Also: As a Roman Catholic, I went against Pope John Paul II in arguing for the invasion of Iraq. This was not done in... Read more

“WALLACE AND GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT” was a ton of fun. Ratty and I saw it this past weekend. There definitely was more adult-directed and slightly naughty humor than in previous installments, but not to an irritating or coarse extent. The final chase scene was fantastic–I thought it was as good as the train chase from The Wrong Trousers. Yes, the plot is predictable, and the anti-hunting message is tiresome. (Unintentionally amusing, though: The “humane” methods of rabbit... Read more

JUS IN BELLO: By now, you already know that the Senate voted “90-9 to approve an amendment that would prohibit the use of ‘cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment’ against anyone in U.S. government custody, regardless of where they are held.” The nine nay votes areWayne Allard, R-Colorado,Christopher S. Bond, R-Missouri, Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, Thad Cochran, R-Mississippi, John Cornyn, R-Texas, James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama, and Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. Jon Corzine, D-New Jersey, didn’t... Read more

THIS IS THE ONLY LIST I’VE RUN ACROSS with relief links for the terrible earthquake in South Asia. So obviously, I don’t endorse all these organizations. But consider finding one that you can support. Read more

They had it comingThey had it comingThey had it coming all alongI didn’t blogwatchBut if I’d blogwatchedHow could you tell me that I was wrong? Hi, honey, I’m home. HispanicPundit: Good economic articles. You know, Friedman, Bastiat, and “I, Pencil,” and all that fun stuff. And Paul Krugman! Via the Club for Growth blog. Holy Office: “Jesus Rescued in Daring Commando Raid.” Plus best response I’ve seen to “WWJD?” CNN/Money: “How will eminent domain be applied in the Gulf Coast?”... Read more