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Why the quotes?

Why are the quotes necessary around “tortured” here?:

I should note that I actually do know the answer to that question, they’re using it as shorthand for the word “alleged”, however quotes like this have dual meanings – and more often it’s used sarcastically to diminish the claim of the object in quotes (eg: [...]

“accused” or not…?

I always find it interesting where the term “accused” gets used or not in the news. For instance, this grab from the NYT:

Don’t get me wrong – I’m more than dubious of the charges myself (and certainly completely against the punishment). Still, he wasn’t just “accused” – he was found guilty (albeit by [...]

Reversing the outcome of the Civil War…

I have more to say on Ron Paul later, but this thought came to me today:

Essentially what Ron Paul and Liberarians of similar ilk want to do is reverse the outcome of the Civil War. No, I don’t mean that they want to bring back slavery (though I think some do hold at least [...]

True Believers

Reading the comment section of a recent post by Glenn Greenwald (very much worth reading), it appears that the latest deification has switched from Obama to Ron Paul, which led to this comment by yours truly:

I get that people love Paul and even why, but there seems to be a dangerously naive amount of [...]

Permalink

From my iGoogle feed:

It’s true that Ron Paul technically doesn’t “represent the mainstream” (though sadly he represents a large number of Republicans), but I don’t like this technique – to marginalize someone by essentially saying they aren’t “one of us”.

It’s used all the time to marginalize the left – to claim their [...]

Fuck you Leon Panetta…

Via Glenn Greenwald (quoting I believe this DoD article):

“As difficult as [the Iraq war] was … I think the price has been worth it, to establish a stable government in a very important region of the world”

- Leon Panetta

With “friends” like these, who needs enemies.

Seriously, what a wanker. None of his [...]

A good metaphor…

Regarding the democratic crisis in Hungary (via NYT):

“In the short term it seems reasonable to take out the brakes from a car, it appears to go faster. The problem is when the first curve appears and you need them.”

- Peter Hack, a law professor at the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest

This is [...]

Social Darwinianism Dilbert style…

Tack on:

End of War

I sincerely feel for the veterans of this war. We tainted them with this immoral slop, chicken-hawks all we let them bear the wounds (physical and emotional), and then lost interest.

The war supposedly ended yesterday (a lie I am sure but) and no one cares. All the cheerleaders silent. The great mass of bloodthirsty [...]

The dangers of believing your own bullshit…

Conor Friedersdorf commenting (via Greenwald) on “60 Minute”‘s Steve Kroft interviewing President Obama:

KROFT: I’m sure your poll numbers will probably automatically go up as soon as there is a Republican candidate in the race. I mean, that’s normal. I mean, you’re being judged now on your performance.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: No, no, no. I’m being [...]