Because some of them genuinely are, and some—paging Queen Ann—do a damned fine impression of same.

I'm sorry, but it's true.

Via Insty.

Sean Hackbarth points out that Coulter didn't always pose as a blonde Bozo.

Ah, yes; but now she does, and it's done great things for her bank account%mdash;but less for reasoned discourse.

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You all know my issues with McCain, but he's talking sense here.

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If not, why not?

Mike Rappaport quotes this Paul Graham essay on how to recognize and avoid mental conformity.

The main litmus test: if you can't say something out loud, maybe you should be thinking it.

It's must reading; via Glenn.

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Captain Ed has a nice summary about some of the ways the U.S. has been quietly reducing the amount of capital available in Iran—both for improving oil-industry infrastructure and for funding terrorism.

It helps to answer the question, "what are we doing about these guys?"

A fair amount, it turns out.

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Via James Joyner, who remarks

It would be harder for Iran to be much more isolated in the international community, as even the Russians have backed away from them in recent months. Still, sending such a strong signal that they are not responsible, rational actors makes no sense to me. Their position should be to try to force the world to take them seriously as a regional power, not to reinforce their status as a rogue state.

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Um. Make that Queen Boyz: the cousins who wrote the original Ellery Queen series.

As I work through the list Marvelous Mike sent my of their best puzzles, the engineering side of my brain is, indeed, beginning to kick into high gear.

I realize that on my own project I may be overdoing the Real Clues: I'm only required to give the pertinent information on the real killer once or twice. After that, it's up to the reader to figure it out. If they're like me, they won't want to. (I'm reminded of what my former roommate, the mathematician, used to say: "she's too smart to figure things out that she doesn't want to know." That's a blessing/curse of human nature.)

Of course, the best puzzles are the ones in which the Main Reveal leaves the reader smacking herself on the head, exclaiming, "it was in front of me all along; why didn't I see it?"

That's what I'm aiming for. I'm terrified, however, that the maze will be too easy—that the solution will appear obvious all along, rather than in retrospect. One always runs that risk, of course, if one is playing by the rules. The main rule is the reader gets a shot at solving the puzzle himself/herself.

My mother informs me helpfully that she doesn't really mind if she's reading a mystery and she figures it out. That isn't the level I want to play at, though.

The workshop meets again this coming Thursday night: I need to flesh out my final conflict and take it in. Enough of the procrastination. I have to send the ship out—my draft—and see if it can stay afloat. If not, I'm sure I have a great career ahead of my as a Starbucks barista or something. Or I can stick with my glamorous proofreading endeavors.

There is a moment in any high-wire act wherein one has to take a deep breath, let go of the handle, and reach out for something that may or may not be there.

I am at that point.

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I don't think it applies in the Middle East.

Haven't we been down this road with Iran before?

Via Insty.

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We've solved the problem of marijuana-flavored candy being sold to minors.

Whew! That was close!

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John P. McCann on the new generation of George Takei fans: it's so weird to me that he has followers out there who have never seen Star Trek.

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That McGehee is a bloody genius.

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Tammy Bruce has up-to-the-minute coverage, and points out that cat owners need to be just as careful as dog owners. She has a listing of the affected sub-brands under the Menu umbrella.

I'm glad that my mother buys the Mandy-chow at specialty stores, and is watching the situation closely. Of course, if her stomach were as strong as her jaws, we wouldn't have much to worry about: she can destroy an expensive pet toy in ten minutes flat.

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. . . is getting some positive buzz, over at Reynolds' place and elsewhere.

My 1994 is still going strong; we got it back when Saturn was still making reliable cars. But the husband's 1999 LS (Large Sedan) has been one disappointment after another, and the dealer where we bought three cars doesn't seem to want our business.

So it's probably over between us and GM.

Anyway, I think I'm ready to fall in love again.

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"the strangest thing happened."

"Strange, you say?" A the H is intrigued.

"Yes. I was in the kitchen, having an intense discussion with a friend on the phone, and after you passed by I moved my head. A styrofoam cup fell onto the counter."

"Why were you wearing a styrofoam cup indoors?"

"'Cause I can't wear it outside; the wind would take it off. Come on: why did you put a disposable coffee cup on top of my snow hat?"

"You think I did that?"

"There wasn't anyone else in the kitchen, and I didn't put it there myself."

"So this relationship has devolved into finger-pointing now? That's sad."

"Oh. You think it would be healthier to wipe the slate clean and discuss this incident only from the moment that you left the kitchen with a coffee cup balanced upside-down on top of my head?"

"Or maybe from the time it fell off. I'll bet that was funny."

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. . . about how the Car of Tomorrow is debuting today. NASCAR fans, cross your fingers!

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Steamed asparagus with balsamic vinegar. A dry martini.

But no meat.

Am I doing this correctly? I don't seem to have any flair for Catholicism whatsoever.

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1 heh. Of course. You remembered the alcohol.

Posted by: caltechgirl at March 23, 2007 10:14 PM (r0kgl)

2 I don't like asparagus. But you did get the martini right.

Posted by: Cappy at March 24, 2007 06:11 AM (OPdak)

3 As a recovering papist, Fridays always meant fish. Most of the time, that meant fish sticks. I'd have a white wine, not the martini.

Posted by: Bloggermouth at March 24, 2007 07:58 AM (s8YHF)

4 I would prefer you go with complete proteins for main meals unless you're going with a fortified gin. Otherwise, carry on.

Posted by: Darrell at March 24, 2007 10:03 AM (bmopZ)

5 Dad was Irish/Catholic and Mom was Jewish - so l speak with some authority of the concept of "guilt". (Our family motto: "Guilt is Good!") That said, as a practicing Catholic (will I ever get it right?) Allow me to congratilate your Lenten dinner choices! I hope you garnished that martini correctly with two olives or three cocktail onions!! We could increase your verggie count on the new food pyramid with those additions!!

Posted by: mighty aphrodite at March 24, 2007 10:53 AM (13j7o)

6 Well, D--I had a snack earlier in the evening at my mother's place that contained plenty of tofu. And her idea of a snack is my idea of a meal. Mighty--It was a dirty martini, and all I have on hand are small olives, so I put a few in a little Japanese teacup and ate them with a toothpick as I drank. And I got all my guilt from my Methodist upbringing. Protestant guilt is so underappreciated

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 24, 2007 11:39 AM (0CbUL)

7 I wouldn't have the martini, but that's what the parents always had. When mom comes for dinner (a couple of times a month), I always offer the glass of ice and the Tanqueray, and she always enjoys it.

Posted by: Mark In Irvine at March 24, 2007 04:19 PM (mMjjU)

8 Obviously not a Wisconsin girl where Fridays are all about the fish fry and cold beer.

Posted by: Sean Hackbarth at March 24, 2007 04:57 PM (QJ5cf)

9 Ick. Seafood. Hey--is there any truth in the story that fish on Fridays was originated to assist the seafood industry, and if so did that occur here, or in Ireland? (Yeah--I could use Wikipedia, or a search engine. But what fun is that?)

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 24, 2007 07:46 PM (0CbUL)

10 It's tradition, but you could get stick with the potato pancakes.

Posted by: Sean Hackbarth at March 24, 2007 10:02 PM (QJ5cf)

11 You can't fool me; potato pancakes are Jewish! (And yummy, too.)

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 25, 2007 02:06 AM (0CbUL)

12 This speaks for itself... http://j-walkblog.com/index.php?/weblog/comments/muskrat_dispensation/

Posted by: leelu at March 25, 2007 03:25 PM (KFuCy)

13 People like to invoke conspiracies, don't they. The best explanation I heard is that 1st Century Jews fasted on Mondays and Thursdays. There is a passage in the Gospel about John the Baptist's followers questioning Jesus over not observing those fasts, as practiced by the Pharisees and even JtB's followers. Jesus told them the time will come for the fast after the Bridegroom is taken. Those who converted to Christianity shifted that to Wednesdays and Fridays to commemorate Judas arranging Jesus' arrest on Wednesday and his Crucifixion on a Friday. That explains the fasting. Since meat was a rich man's food, requiring sizable amounts of land for raising animals or money to purchase the meat, simpler foods were substituted for the premium fare. Anyone can fish a stream or river, and forage for fruit and such. I am looking into Nancy Pelosi's role in the matter, particularly in American Samoa.

Posted by: Darrell at March 25, 2007 08:41 PM (jnJd2)

14 I wouldn't have paid any attention, but I heard the notion from my mother, who doesn't usually buy into conspiracy theories. Anyway, it's healthy to have one day a week when one eats veggie or sticks with fish--the fish is particularly healthy, with the Omega-3s and whatnot. I have to be careful about actual fasting, though: I once tried to go to Stations of the Cross on an empty stomach, and nearly fainted. Low blood sugar isn't spiritual; it's stupid.

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 25, 2007 09:43 PM (0CbUL)

15 I'm a lurker and I'm coming out of the woodwork to say: the word "papist" isn't funny, it's a term used for centuries by bigots of all stripes to denigrate us and spread the eternal lie that Catholics worship the Pope. Please, don't use that word, not even as a joke. ::Retreating back into woodwork now. =):::

Posted by: Verity Kindle at March 29, 2007 09:30 AM (8MztE)

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. . . that reading of any kind—whether online, or via dead tree—is like walking through that apple orchard in The Wizard of Oz? Typographical errors and incorrect word selections grab at one, tearing at one's clothing and sending one screaming away into the night.

Unless, of course, it's just me. Sigh.

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From the comments on this Althouse post, on the "No Impact" project—a chilling comment that I fear may be right on the money:

Every day, the GW [Global Warming] faithful act more and more like cultists. I give it about another year before we start reading about how mass suicides are really voluntary carbon-reduction efforts.

Via Insty.

UPDATE: Bidinotto has more.

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Man, that movie was great. I found it vaguely reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings, especially in the battle sequences—though a bit bloodier, of course.

I can see why war supporters are feeling a bit smug about the fact that this movie got made, and why antiwar activists are upset. There is this feeling out there on the right of "how the heck did this production slip through?"—a sentiment spelled out in the official Libertas review of the film.

Fundamentally, though, the movie doesn't pretend to be anything other than a graphic novel with Serious Ideals. Like Lord of the Rings, it's mythology, though it's also a fictionalization of something that once happened. There's something particularly hilarious about those who want to attack it for being "inaccurate history"—one might as well spell out that Arthurian legands aren't accurate depictions of Medieval times.

It's perfectly delicious that the movie got made, and very satisfying that it's making money hand-over-fist. Yum. And, no: I didn't see Xerxes as being terribly gay—at least, no more than the Pharoah was in The Ten Commandments. He seemed strictly metro to me, but your mileage may vary: the important thing is that the Persians came off as terribly unattractive, and this may have annoyed the current Iranian government, who deserve to be annoyed.

Women who find the violence hard to take will find that there are alternative diversions in the film. Everyone's baser nature is appealed to. No one is left out. You'll see what I mean when you get to the theater.

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1 Now that you discovered Frank Miller, time to get yourself a copy of the"Sin City" DVD--especially the version with the attached graphic novel. You might want to look on Amazon's site, especially the new and used vendors section. I've never had any problem with those. I usually get a new copy at a steal. And that's what cheap screws live for.

Posted by: Darrell at March 23, 2007 09:04 AM (jcUK2)

2 Who was it who wrote the graphic novel upon which A History of Violence was based? THAT was a bitchin' movie.

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 23, 2007 09:25 PM (0CbUL)

3 John Wagner and Vince Locke. Wagner was behind "Judge Dredd" and "The Bogie Man." Locke worked as an illustrator, having done the covers and other artwork for the death-metal band Cannibal Corpse. The film is a major departure from the graphic novel, by the way. Maria Bello would have shot Ed Harris if they stayed true to the g-n. No rough sex on the stairs either. No subplot with the son turning to violence. The hero's family fully supports him in the g-n, going with what they know of the man during their mutual lifetime together. Have you seen "Sin City" and not liked it? This is the third time you have just ignored the reference. It has a lot going for it if you give it a chance. Strong men and strong women. And both flawed beyond question. What more can you ask for? Robert Rodriguez has turned film making into a cottage industry that can change the industry. Check out those "extras" on all his movies. He'll even give you a cooking lesson and recipe ideas.

Posted by: Darrell at March 24, 2007 09:57 AM (bmopZ)

4 Sorry, D. I just don't have anything to say until i see Sin City. I rented it once, but the husband hasn't heard good things about it, so it was rejected for family movie night. That doesn't mean I can't see it on my own, or appeal the decision Your recommendation is MEANINGFUL! Besides, I love what I've seen of the look in that film. And Frodo's in it!

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 24, 2007 11:57 AM (0CbUL)

5 The look of the film is spectacular. When you consider that it is mostly done at Robert Rodriguez's little home studio, okay ranch, you'll want to go out and buy the necessary equipment. Rent his "Mexico Trilogy" (El Mariachi / Desperado / Once Upon A Time In Mexico) and he will show you everthing you need to know in the extras. I don't know A-the-Hub, but I can almost guarantee he'll like it. I don't know who told him differently, but if he liked "300," I know he will like "Sin City" too. Bet those same folks found fault with "300" also? Politics can do that.

Posted by: Darrell at March 24, 2007 07:36 PM (5fyrc)

6 A the H and I shot a small movie in our own home/backyard once. It was fun. Unfortunately, we did it in 1999, so the movie only exists on VHS. A the H is a fan of the Mexico trilogy, and of Rodriguez, but I think he has reservation about Sin City, based partially on the fact that a Catholic bishop is one of the villians--according to what he's heard. But I'll watch it.

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 24, 2007 07:51 PM (0CbUL)

7 Yes, and the bishop is played by Rutger Hauer. His being a bad guy doesn't have anything to do with being a bishop, just the younger son of a powerful family. Older son became a senator, so the younger son went into the clergy. They are traditionalists.

Posted by: Leo at March 25, 2007 12:31 AM (HjJvJ)

8 I'll watch it.

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 25, 2007 02:09 AM (0CbUL)

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And I can see why people are bent out of shape about it.

As for me, I think there are only three things that movie really needed more of: blood, body piercings, and muscular male flesh.

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I could listen to Gingrich talk all day—particularly when he says things like this.

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