Beltmann

I thought the debate was civil, substantive, and won by Obama by a hair.

So you are willing to let one extremely minor slip-up (even that's a stretch, I think) to completely overshadow her considerable career achievements? Let me understand: Do you actually believe one single comment proves beyond doubt that she can't possibly have been a successful and capable attorney?

My favorite part of O'Reilly's stance regarding Michelle Obama was his assertion that he'll go after her if it's true that she believes America is a "flawed" nation. Which begs the question, who doesn't believe this country, or any country, could stand to be improved in some way? If speaking up about perceived "flaws" is how we should measure a lack of patriotism, then O'Reilly might the least patriotic person in America. After all, he spends all of his time pointing out the "flaws" he sees in American politics: liberals, gays, pro-choicers, etc. It's too easy to turn the rhetoric around:

The irony of this is that Bill O'Reilly responded to Michelle Obama's utterly inoffensive comment with a genuinely insensitive comment. Using the term "lynching party" at this stage of American history--now there's a real mistake, a real lack of taste and judgment, a real insult to certain American citizens. I wonder how many people rubbed the wrong way by Michelle Obama reserved equal harrumphs for O'Reilly? My guess: Not many. And my guess for why? Most don't really care about what Michelle Obama said, because deep down they know it was an innocent comment; what they care about is just

I tried to listen last night, but I couldn't get it work. As I've listened many times before without hassle, I suspect the trouble had something to do with the wireless system here at the hospital. Bummer. (I would have only had a chance to listen for 15 minutes, anyway.)

Um, yes? It was obviously meant to criticize decades of poisonous and/or apathetic politics, only to praise how, for many new voters, that might be changing. That sounds like a pretty good thing to me, not to mention fairly accurate. When I listened to the speech Monday night, it didn't strike me as anything but a point about the improving health of the American political scene, with perhaps a dash of innocent hyperbole. I can't believe this is even remotely controversial. Who could possibly misunderstand this comment, except people who want to think the worst of people (especially oppone

No, she just gave a chance to people with trouble grasping context to show off their shortcomings in the critical thinking department.

I thought about St. G a lot over the last few weeks, and yesterday was no different. She wasn't a fan of C-sections, but I'm sure she would have forgiven our (necessary) choice!

Ha! Last night one of my friends asked if he was named after Alex Keaton. I replied by saying if we were going to name him after somebody in that family, it would have been the parents, not the corporate cutthroat!

Her name is Kael Zalisha. In both cases, we wanted a middle name with an international flavor--something about breaking down cultural barriers, or some nonsense! [quote name='JUDE

Stacy and I voted absentee on Monday--and the baby's middle name means "defender of men," which I thought went well with the theme of primary day. We took our three-year-old daughter along to city hall, and the clerk gave her a scrap piece of paper so she, too, could "vote." Later, in the car, I asked her who she voted for. She said, "I voted for Obama." Last night I was home alone with her... she was having a terrible time dealing with the fact that mom was away for the night. She was weeping, and I said, "Hey, Obama won today." She immediately stopped crying, looked up at me, cocked h

These days I always "reply to all." Who knows? Maybe one of those people would like to read a rebuttal. I figure, that's better than just hitting delete. (I also receive fewer forwards now!)

Yeah... they will have to address it, but only because morons will make it a big deal--thereby lowering our national discussion to moronic levels, as usual. I don't think it was a true "mistake," in the sense that there was absolutely nothing controversial about the statement in context. How sad it is when a public speaker is accused of a "mistake" only for assuming that her listeners are capable of grasping context.

What's annoying about that kind of bitching is that those commentators know they are being petty spinmeisters, spinning a gripe that has no substance whatsoever. If anyone deserves criticism, it's them. Every time they try to land such low, meaningless blows, I feel personally insulted--do they really think I, and by extension all Americans, are dumb enough to buy this crap? (The worst part is that too many Americans do buy this crap.)

This isn't directed at Tweedling, but is a generalized observation: I saw Michelle Obama's speech in its entirety (on C-SPAN), and within context it was clear what she meant by that line, and it should be obvious to anyone with half a brain. I can't believe so many people get so worked up about such meaningless, petty crap. We could be talking about health care in this country, and instead we talk about Obama's middle name. Jeebus. Speaking of stupid "gotcha" politics, why is it that Ms. Clinton so often stoops to such levels? When she resorts to such childish "gotcha" politics, you mar

I agree with you, twobobs. It's perfectly rational to play the game and consider electability in any given race, but I also think it's perfectly rational to vote outside the two-party parameters--such a vote is not wasted, it's just a vote with an eye on issues larger than the "current" race, such as setting a foundation that may, someday, help strengthen a movement towards a breakdown of the two-party system.

Yesterday I became a dad for the second time. Keaton Zander Beltmann was born February 19th at 7:59am. Both baby and mom are healthy and doing very well! Keaton is a big kiddo: 9 lbs, 11 oz and 20.5 inches long. Since he is surprisingly large, the nurses checked his blood sugar levels and discovered it was low; after one feeding, though, his levels rose to a normal range and everything is now going smoothly. In a few weeks he will be ready to help dad snowblow! And his big sister is already very proud and deeply possessive... she keeps referring to her little brother as "my baby," often

Yep. We met very briefly once, but I can't remember which show. After all the Wisconsin shows, you'd think we'd have had a better, proper meeting by now!

Syndromes and a Century / Thailand / 2006 To my eyes, Apichatpong Weerasethakul is one of the most inexplicably compelling filmmakers alive.

My parents have become quite active at the stable where the horse is kept, and he is used mostly for riding lessons. The stable also hosts a horse show/fundraiser in my brother's honor; this fall will be the third annual fundraiser. My daughter also takes occasional lessons... one of these days I'll post a new pic. Thanks for asking!

I have met many VC'ers--too many to list--thanks mainly to Hodie, LouieB, and Skyflynn, who have introduced me to quite a few people over the years. Sometimes it was just a quick hello, other times longer conversation--but everyone has always been warm, kind, and generous.

Ditto!

Wilby Wonderful / Daniel MacIvor / Canada / 2004 Pretty terrible. The story concerns 24 hours on the tiny island community of Wilby, where a bunch of people experience life and mystery and, you know, deal with stuff. Despite the occasional aside about "islanders" and "mainlanders," the movie has no sense of place; scenes have ideas but no shape; the tone is frequently off; and the evocation of bigotry feels lifted from a bad Fifties melodrama rather than modern America. The movie hits false note after false note. Even the title is overly cutesy--"we'll be wonderful," get it?

Like hell would I want to meet any single one of you people. So, we're on for coffee or something when you're in Milwaukee, right?

I am a fan of this post. Incidentally, I spent all day listening to YHF, as it played on repeat in my classroom. I am in a very good mood right now. (During one class, "Poor Places" arrived at its ending distortion and one student asked, "Is this your car wreck music?")