George Bush's favorite historian. - By Jacob Weisberg - Slate Magazine

Truly worrisome. George Bush shouldn't read so much.

Glenn Greenwald - Salon

Greenwald says "federal power is enlisted, and endlessly expanded, in service of an agenda of aggressive militarism abroad, liberty-infringement domestically, and an overarching sense of moralistic certitude and exceptionalism. This movement is neither 'liberal' nor 'conservative' as those terms are understood in their abstract form, but instead, is radical in its attempt to fundamentally re-define the American government and the functions it serves."

Greenwald's right most of the time, he writes well, and he uses evidence. The entry for today is but one example of his thoughtful thoroughness.

Salon should make him free to all, but if you don't have a Salon.com account, you'll have to view an ad.

10,000 Reasons Civilization is Doomed

10,000 Reasons Civilization is Doomed Have you seen this? Have any to add?

The man behind "Battlestar Galactica" | Salon Arts & Entertainment

The man behind "Battlestar Galactica" | Salon Arts & Entertainment

This is an interview with Ronald D. Moore about the show. I'm still in season 1, and have read numerous spoilers already. I can't wait to get to season 2. Anyway, as always with Salon.com, you either subscribe or you have to view advertisements to read. Cheers.

Popular Culture and Moral Ambiguity

Battlestar Galactica is a troubling program. I've just started watching the first season upon the recommendation of my friend jec. The moral ambiguity is something one doesn't see too often on network t.v. In the first episode (following the pilot/miniseries), the fleeing humans must decide if (possibly) killing 1300 people to save 47k is the right decision, and the decision must be made in scant seconds before another attack by the Cylons. The show's tone strikes me as somewhat supportive of the moral ambiguity of the war on terror. How many innocents are worth the lives of x citizens?

In the pilot, when Dr. Gaius Baltar fingers a smarmy ass as a Cylon because he's afraid of getting turned in, it's truly abhorent, yet the guy actually turns out to be a Cylon--does this mean that the people we have locked up in Guantanomo actually are terrorists? Or is it even worse?: that since we don't know, we must lock up certain suspected people because their discomfort could mean the safety of many more.

It's interesting to me that pop culture seems to be moving in that direction, with shows like BG, 24, etc.--even Heroes--all inhabiting areas of shadow and uncertainty. Of course, these shows also have (relatively) clearly-defined "good guys" as well, in keeping with the Western tradition of having a protagonist for whom you can cheer.

Glenn Greenwald - Salon

Glenn Greenwald - Salon

This article says a lot about the authoritarian tendencies in the American right wing. If you're not a member of salon.com, you'll have to watch an ad to view the article, but it's worth it.

p.s. If there's anyone out there, other than jec, reading this blog with anything approaching regularity (defined as coming back a second time), let me know.

All for now.