Danger West

Uh oh.  Apparently Obama can recite an Arabic prayer from memory.  I guess knowing the wrong things makes you suspicious.

I’m always unsure whether it’s worth it to spell out the obvious, but off the top of my head I can think of all sorts of reasons why someone might know an Arabic prayer, and yet not be an adherent of the religion.  It might be that he just has a good memory.  Is this too subtle for some people?

This is number 6 - the episode that wraps up the discussion on the prehistory of German culture.  Iceland is not Gerrmany, nor is it prehistoric but presumably the Norse gods that are explicitly described in Icelandic literature were worshiped in similar form in prehistoric Germany.  The concentration is on Snorri’s Edda and Ynglingasaga.  This brief discussion in no wise does justice to the wonderful world of Icelandic literature.  Go read it all.

German Medieval Cultural History VI: Iceland.

Because people are stupid.  And I’m not sure it’s worth it for a magazine (or anyone) to worry so much about how idiots will interpret their publication.

Podcast #6 is recorded.  For whatever reason it wouldn’t convert to an MP3 so I have to figure that out when I get a chance.  Right now I have a lesson to prepare and some essays to grade.

Information like this ought to be the end of an election.

Shorter Karl Rove: Obama is a lot like Bush in that he too is running for President.

Ok.  I have to admit, since I’ve been teaching an intensive course, I haven’t been paying attention in recent weeks.  So I’d like to add a caveat to my rant from yesterday.

Glenn Greenwald is anything but a two-bit-mother-fucker, and he’s right about the FISA cave in.  As I’ve written before, there are three things important in this election: 1) rule of law, 2) ending the war in Iraq, 3) health care.  I don’t see Obama’s statement of “refining” his positing as significant, so he’s still ok on #2.  He’s always been a bit half-assed on #3.  Recent events are a big blow to my previous confidence in him on the most important issue - #1.  However, it can at least be said that there’s no indication that Obama would behave as Bush has, only that he’s willing to let it go on (hopefully only) until he wins.  That’s not confidence inspiring, but it’s not a total deal breaker yet.  Strike one.

A Dutch man with a wonderful Dutch name wrote up a review of my podcast. It’s a very friendly review, and I’m glad someone likes what I’m doing.

The podcaster, who operates under a pseudonym, shows a very wide knowledge and enthusiasm, for the the subject which seems to go, at least for the time being, much wider than German Culture.

I guess I do operate under a pseudonym. Sort of. I just think Casual-T is a funny name. My name is Tom. I don’t normally use my last name on the internet. The podcast is still dealing with the prehistory of German culture. That’s why I have cast the net wide.

In reference to the breadth of the subject (so far):

Yet, our host doesn’t fear that breadth and neither depth, so that we get to learn about the Gothic language and about Arian Christians - to name but a few subjects.

Actually I do fear that. I just don’t show it. Authority (be it intellectual authority, spiritual authority, or political authority) is all about fooling people into believe that you have this thing called “authority.” Of course I know what I’m talking about. Always.

The episodes are monologues of around thirty minutes that do not seem to be scripted and are entirely improvised.

Not entirely. I write out notes. I don’t stick to them, but I write them out so I know where I’m going. I can’t stand listening to people read essays out loud, so I don’t do it.

Furthermore, the sound is of low quality.

I’ve been wondering what to do about this. I tried using an external microphone. It didn’t help. So I decided to do nothing. I’d rather concentrate on the content.

Thanks for the great review.

Anne apparently reviews podcasts as a hobby, so if you want to find a podcast, his site isn’t a bad place to start. He even reviews Dutch podcasts.

Update: And I would add that Obama isn’t even all that bad about his move to the center, but the post below primarily concerns the sort of “isn’t everything so terrible why doesn’t the world revolve around me?” whining going on, for instance, here.

One of the drawbacks of our little electoral system here is that once you have your candidate, you’re pretty much stuck with him. Another problem is that the stakes of winning have gotten to be pretty high. Despite the zigging, zagging, lurching and lying towards the middle, there really is a difference between Barack Obama and John McCain. Or, if there is no difference, we’re all fucked anyway so you might as well just shut up toss salad with a smile. I think there’s a benefit in doing one’s part to keep your candidate honest, but there’s really only one test of whether your candidate is worth anything: whether he wins or loses. There are some big issues over which I’m willing to rebel, but now - now that the candidates are chosen - Obama will have to do something pretty nasty to get me to not vote for him. Waffling on abortion isn’t one of them. Talk of refining one’s position on the war isn’t one either. Too vague.

In many ways the left is at a real disadvantage when it comes to winning elections. Every two-bit-mother-fucker with an opinion thinks his issue is, like, totally the biggest deal ever. Said two-bit-mother-fucker thinks his armchair generalship is worth the pixels it’s written on as well. It’s not. Obama is the guy trying to get elected. Not you. The right long ago learned to stand up and clap, or sit down and shut up, because you only get what you want when it’s your guy in power. Thus, contrary to popular belief, the right has not gotten it’s way by threatening to walk away from Republican candidates. The right has gotten it’s way (mostly) by pretending that Il Duce (whoever that happens to be at the moment) is perfect. We all know that Reagan, the great tax cutter, actually raised taxes and Reagan, the steely eyed warrior cut and ran from Lebanon.

Anyway, all of this is beside the point. And I’d hate to see lefty blogs and opinionators become as craven as the right anyway. Just keep in mind: if you walk away you get nothing. I don’t want to be the guy who just says “Obama is better than McCain.” Just have a little understanding. The man is trying to get elected president by a nation that elected George W. Bush. Twice.

If that was your goal, wouldn’t you be a little unsure of how to go about it?

It always get me when some ranter mistakes an ancient literary trope for the downfall of manliness:

Why is it that in most commercials being shown on TV the man is the goofball, the doofus? In family commercials Dad is the dummy of the household, butt of derision, the one who is lame, who needs to be brought up to speed, often by the kids in the family. And if they’re not the ones doing it, then there’s the man of the house - MOM!! - the authority figure, the one who wears the pants (think Hilary Clinton) - the one with the BALLS (again, think Hilary Clinton). Poor dad - he no longer knows best. Its all about mom now.

Did you ever notice how Thor wasn’t very smart? He’d grab his hammer and smash something, but it was often the wrong thing. Have you ever read an Arthurian Romance? You may have noticed that King Arthur did practically nothing throughout the entire book - except maybe fuck something up. Or if you’ve read Reynard the Fox you would find that the king would occasionally roar in utmost anger and then get played by the fox - just like Homer Simpson getting played by Bart for the millionth time.

What I’m saying is: before you rant on about the emasculation of men read a fucking book.