DEMS = TORIES, GOP = NEW LABOUR? So sayeth Iain Murray. Link via Murtaugh. Read more

STUPID THING PEOPLE ARE CALLING HOME ECONOMICS CLASSES: “Consumer science.” How creepy is that? Hello, homemaking is about a lot more than consuming. Read more

POETRY WEDNESDAY: “Wedding Toast” from Richard Wilbur; found in an old (and excellent) issue of Faith & Family: St. John tells how, at Cana’s wedding feast, The water-pots poured wine in such amount That by his sober count There were a hundred gallons at the least. [clipped] Read more

DERRIDA MAILBAG: I’m in plain text, readers are in bold. Rob Dakin: In terms of “scattering” vs. “community”–wouldn’t you derive the best results from independent free agents voting their individual consciences? Is the herd instinct ever a positive binding agent, or does it merely give us more or less benign “mobs”? Is it not possible that representatives elected by voters with no particular group identity would more objectively represent the best interests of a society comprised of that kind of... Read more

NICE THING ABOUT BEING A PESSIMIST is that you can only be pleasantly surprised. In case you’re wondering about the noncommital tone of my immediately pre-bed post last night (“I hope more harm than good comes of this”), here’s my deal: Oh, how I am looking forward to getting some sound judges confirmed. Much of this NR editorial’s plan for action sounds good to me. On the other hand, my ever-shifting Iraq weathervane is swinging way, way over to “invasion... Read more

Blogs that can’t be watched By promises and votes… Blogwatch entirely non-election-related. It’s short. Light of Reason: Maria Callas in excelsis. The Rat: Two links on mourning miscarriage. Unqualified Offerings: The snipers did, in fact, shoot a (guy whose name suggests he is a) Muslim. A Pithy Volokh: Vouchers. Short and to the point. Read more

“Men’s hats are so tight they cut off the blood flow to the head, thus cutting off the growth of hair. Seven out of ten men wear hats, so the advertisements say. Seven out of ten men are bald! But what about the ladies? Yes, modern woman is a hardworking individual also. But when modern woman’s day of work is done, that which is designed for her home comfort, is comfort. Hats that give no obstruction to the blood flow.... Read more

BED NOW. Who knows what the future holds. I hope more good than harm comes of all this. Read more

IS IT TIME FOR ANOTHER CONTEST? Yes. Yes it is. This one was suggested a while ago by Dave Tepper. We’ll see if it gets a good response, or if I’m the only one who actually likes these contests! Dave writes: I call this one “Guess Who, Don’t Sue.” You know those blind items of celebrity gossip that you find in women’s magazines and tabloids? Encourage people to make up totally false rumors (make sure that’s clear up-front, that it’s... Read more

MAIL II: Christian soldiers; abortion hypotheticals; marshmallow-smothering; and DC. These are the emails that don’t require major response from me. Later (not tonight, probably) I’ll post some challenging emails on Derrida, cloning, and rock’n’roll conservatism, with replies. Tom Harmon says I’m wrong, and that soldiers in the army of a democracy cannot morally disobey orders, in general: In a democracy, each man does not constitute a law unto himself. Each citizen does not constitute legitimate authority. The people as a... Read more