Blog or Not?



A statistically improbable polymath's views on politics and culture.

Thursday, June 26, 2003
 
As outgoing Privacy Chair of the American Civil Liberties Union of the University of Chicago, it is my duty and my privilege to issue the following statement regarding today's decision on Laurence v. Texas:

YES!

Please note the mention of the "Professors of History" amicus brief; it was co-written by the brilliant George Chauncey, author of Gay New York and professor at the University of Chicago. I had the great fortune of attending a lecture by him on the history of sodomy laws a few months ago; similar comments are made by Justice Kennedy in the aforementioned ruling.


Tuesday, June 24, 2003
 
It is time to use my loyal readership to good use. If anyone knows of an employment opportunity in Knoxville, TN, please post it in the Comments to this entry. Thank you.


Thursday, June 19, 2003
 
It's occured to me several times that James Lileks could only be called a conservative in Minnesota (or Vermont, Illinois, Michigan...). Let's look at his positions on several issues:
1. He has made fun of Rick Santorum and has indicated support for the decriminalization of sodomy
2. He's noted that he's become uncomfortable with the death penalty in many cases.

A similar thing occurs with Andrew Sullivan:
1. He's gay
2. He's grudgingly pro-RU-486 and describes himself somewhere between "pro-life" and "pro-choice"

Sure, these men are both "conservative" when it comes to the military and fiscal issues. But if either of these men moved to East Tennessee, I'd bet that they'd look at the Republican candidates for ninety percent of the offices and shudder.


Sunday, June 15, 2003
 
Thanks to Volokh I've learned that Tony Blair is considering two moves:
1. Dissolving various links between the Church of England and the British Crown--e.g., the monarch would not have to be an Anglican or even a Christian
2. Abolishing the position of Lord Chancellor

Wonder if Tony Blair's been watching Becket and A Man for All Seasons lately, hmm?


Tuesday, June 10, 2003
 
Nothing that original or exciting right now, I'm afraid; I've been trying to finish my Soc paper for the last few days and study for my math final. But after 5:00 pm tomorrow... I'm FREE!


Thursday, June 05, 2003
 
DAMMIT! I had tried to post this morning and f**king Blogger deleted my post. On the plus side, my essay is done.


 
Still trying to write the Hum paper; I'm currently sucking on sugarfree Red Bull in an attempt to perk myself up.


Sunday, June 01, 2003
 
I had never thought it would happen here:

1. There have been accusations from one of the unions that represents workers at the U of C hospitals that hospital administration is trying to disrupt union activity. A piece appeared in the Chicago Maroon on Friday about the controversy--and now, according to some labor activists here, all of the copies of the Maroon at the hospital have "disappeared".

These are Wal-Mart tactics. They should not be used by any branch of a great university allegedly committed to freedom of expression, and I'm surprised they're happening in Chicago.

2. Tonight at Bartlett: Sunday Dinner Special: Freedom Toast Sticks.
I spoke to one of the cashiers about it, figuring that it was a joke, but a supervisor noticed and began complaining about how the French didn't support us in the last war. Again, may I just say that this kind of thing is demeaning to the University?*

*If it's not done in jest, that is.