Slate asked a variety of prominent American novelists, ranging from Edwidge Danticat to John Updike, for a frank response to the following question: Which presidential candidate are you voting for, and why? Thirty-one novelists participated, with four for Bush, 24 for Kerry, and three in a category of their own. Dan Chaon, Amy Tan, John […]
But how will the writers vote?
Posted by Ben on October 19, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/but-how-will-the-writers-vote/
The Mysterious Disappearing Handball Team
Sri Lanka is trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of its “national handball team” while on tour in Germany, but it is no easy task — the Indian Ocean island doesn’t have one. The 23-strong “team” managed to dupe the German Embassy in Colombo into issuing visas for a month-long tour beginning on September 8, […]
Posted by Ben on October 17, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/the-mysterious-disappearing-handball-team/
What you don’t see every day:
That’s right, fashion models rapelling down the world’s tallest skyscraper. Not down the entire building, mind you; but 154ft is still 154ft, and much more vertical than your typical catwalk. (Also: not that you were going to argue against the building technically being the world’s tallest or not, but supposing for the moment that you […]
Posted by Ben on October 15, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/what-you-dont-see-every-day/
It’s true
Not that you’re ever going to be on the O’Reilly Factor (which as everyone who’s anyone knows, you simply call The Factor), but if you are, you’d better read up first. Seriously. Jack Shafer has a few good tips. (Slate: “How To Beat Bill O’Reilly: Kill him with kindness,” by Jack Shafer [September 23, 2004])
Posted by Ben on October 15, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/its-true/
I am reminded of this when we hit the second moose
I’m not nearly as fanatical about Fafblog as any number of other folks are, but the following piece, “drivin with Donald,” is pure gold. Better, even. I’m quoting it in its entirety because, well, it’s that good. (Also because it’s related to the previous post here regarding a real-life Rumsfeldian incident, albeit without Rumsfeld’s involvement.) […]
Posted by Ben on October 13, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/i-am-reminded-of-this-when-we-hit-the-second-moose/
It was an honest mistake
Really, it could have happened to anybody. A 20-ton piece of road machinery mowed down a fence and a couple of trees on property belonging to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (news – bio) after the brakes apparently slipped and the machine rolled away. “It was a freak accident,” said Michael Trujillo, director of public works […]
Posted by Ben on October 13, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/it-was-an-honest-mistake/
For the visually-oriented
An excellent, informative graphic via the venerable NYT that does a beautiful job of illustrating verbiage of the Democratic & Republican conventions. The below image is but a snippet of the larger graphic; click on it to see the creation in all its glory. (the image’s original URL is this: http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2004/09/02/politics/campaign/20040902_words.gif; mad props to Pandagon […]
Posted by Ben on October 11, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/for-the-visually-oriented/
Indeed
“Peace on earth depends on our ability to secure our living environment.” — Ole Danbolt Mjoes, head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
Posted by Ben on October 8, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/indeed/
My fellow Americans Citizens
Simon Schama (yes, that Simon Schama) concocts a speech for John Kerry. You see, my fellow Americans, when it comes to true security, George W Bush and his administration have a simple message for all of us and that message is “Good luck, pals, you’re on your own.” Short of body armour? Write home. Job […]
Posted by Ben on October 8, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/my-fellow-citizens/
Newsflash
We found that students’ perceptions about [math and English] become more negative throughout secondary school. (Society for Research in Child Development/EurekAlert: “Teenagers’ perceptions of math and English,” by Karen Melnyk [September 17, 2004])
Posted by Ben on October 8, 2004
https://www.swordbilled.com/newsflash/