1984

Another example of the Wonderful World-wide Web:  the Lake Superior State University 2006 List of Banished Words is on the web for all to read.  I’d heard of this list before, but hadn’t really read it closely.  This is good stuff–and they have archives!  My favorite from this year’s list: COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS – A… Read more

The freegans have surfaced again, and as usual, are describing themselves as anti-capitalists.  Somehow, I suspect that few people in socialist workers’ paradises like Cuba, Viet Nam, or North Korea are sporting a designer wardrobe or stocking 60% of their Thanksgiving table by dumpster diving.  They can call themselves whatever they like, but they sound… Read more

November is Diversity Month at UTSA.  I had not even realized I was participating in the festivities until one of my more astute students made an observation during lecture. I had just drawn an intricate graph on the blackboard using colored chalk chalk of color when she said, "Oh, look! Diversity chalk!" Meanwhile, I suggest… Read more

I’m always a bit leery of protestors with preprinted signs, hats, or bandannas. Zombie puts one cover girl into her proper context. Tip from the Instapundit. Update (3 October):  SFGate responds, lamely.  Tip from Sir George at  the Rottweiler. Read more

What these guys said.  Oh, and John McCain is a facist creep. Read more

Tuesday evening was time for our monthly trek to Little Caesar’s for Customer Appreciation Day ($2.99 medium pepperoni pizzas, limit 5!).  While the Mrs was paying the tab, I spotted a placard on the wall reminding employees of their duties.  Number one was "Service the customer."  I checked on that transitive verb (tr. v.), and… Read more

Saturday was a very enlightening day, but it only made sense when I looked at it backwards. I finished off the day reading the first part of Don Watson’s book, Death Sentences, subtitled How Cliches, Weasel Words, and Management-Speak Are Strangling Public Language.  When I took a break from reading, it occurred to me that… Read more

Wretchard writes: Most everyone knows someone who has intentionally endured a slight or injustice to demonstrate, to all the world, that they are indeed the aggrieved party. We have heard them describe the elaborate fantasies: ‘then everyone will see’ … ‘it will be undeniable that I’ … ‘it will be clear that he’, as they… Read more

This article in the Times Online started off so promising: Well wise up, because apparently it’s time to say enough is enough; the ridicule of men must stop. The pendulum of power has swung too far into the female corner and you must stand up and assert your right to masculinity. But then it veers… Read more

Perhaps we need to reconsider our use of the words minority and majority. On the other hand, perhaps I can become a Poor Oppressed Minority Group Member and start a movement for gringo rights. (First campaign:  Loudly protest the institution of vegetarian chili* as antithetical to North American–gringo and Tejano–cultural heritage.  Get away from my… Read more