reflections of a pragmatic optimist, lover of freedom

Month: July 2008

Victor Davis Hanson on Why Europeans Love Obama

At Pajamas Media.

Ah, Spam…

One of the funnier bits of spam I’ve received in a while:

Subject:
Lindsay Lohan Flashes Her Breast

Contents:
Barack Obama Wins Ku Klux Klan Endorsement

Come for the peepshow, stay for the post-racial “Kumbaya” singalong!

Eric Raymond on Patriotism and its Discontents

Some interesting thoughts regarding patriotism from Eric Raymond. (Hat tip: Instapundit.)

When Intolerance is OK

Jonah Goldberg c/o Instapundit:

The bigotry aimed at the South never ceases to amaze me. Indeed, it is astounding to me how the left tells us we need to understand the nuance of, say, the Jihadi mind in all of its shades of gray, but when it comes to the voting habits of law-abiding white North Carolinians all you need to know is that if a white hand pulls a lever for a Republican politician, that hand must be attached to a racist.

Kids who say ‘yuck’ may be racist

From the Department of Multicultural Absurdities, courtesy of Drudge:

LONDON, July 7 (UPI) — Toddlers who say “yuck” when given flavorful foreign food may be exhibiting racist behavior, a British government-sponsored organization says.

The London-based National Children’s Bureau released a 366-page guide counseling adults on recognizing racist behavior in young children, The Telegraph reported Monday.

The guide, titled Young Children and Racial Justice, warns adults that babies must also be included in the effort to eliminate racism because they have the ability to “recognize different people in their lives.”

The bureau says to be aware of children who “react negatively to a culinary tradition other than their own by saying ‘yuck’”

“Racist incidents among children in early years settings tend to be around name-calling, casual thoughtless comments and peer group relationships,” the guide says.

Staff members are advised not to ignore racist actions and to condemn them when they occur.

Citing Jonah Goldberg’s mention of the same story at National Review Online, Glenn Reynolds wryly comments:

Tar and feathers are too good for these people. Well, maybe.

Sure seems that way.

Michael Totten asserted back in 2004 (the original article seems to be offline now, but several sites have quoted the relevant excerpt) that “Political correctness is finished” and “can’t possibly become more absurd than it already is”. Much to my dismay, he seems to have been mistaken about that.

Happy Independence Day!

Have a happy and grateful Independence Day!

I’m vacationing in Montana, where I’m looking forward to enjoying my first ever trip to a rodeo — complete with 4th of July fireworks!

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