Just Disgusting

This sort of thing just drives me around the bend.

Ms. Marion B. Tasco is slated to retire after her 6^th term as a Philadelphia coucilwoman.  She will then begin her 7^th term as a Philadelphia councilwoman.  Her "retirement" will earn her $478,000.

Pitchforks, tar, and feathers were invented for just such an occasion.

Media Bias - Smaller Scale

I ran across this article about a small, New York based, public TV station a while back.  The author maintains that he saw repeated incidents of bias on the part of station employees and managers during his time on the staff.

With my own eyes, I saw producers laughing and cheering at TV news reporting the assassination attempt on President Reagan. 

While by not no means definitive, it does provide an interesting insight into some portion of the media.  This is the sort of thing that begs for an undercover investigation!

BOCE Photography

Arthur S. Mole was one of the greatest producers of the large scale photography of human activities.  Specifically, he organized large crowds into visual sculptures.

This image from Parris Island naturally drew my attention.

You have to click on the image to appreciate the scale of coordination needed to create this image.  Another interesting note, these Marines and recruits were under the command of Brigadier General Pendleton when this image was created.  The Marines' largest base, located in California, was named after General Pendleton.

More on Mr. Mole's photography here.

Map Of All Maps

When it comes to esoteric geekery, cartography yields the field to no other subject.  Slate recently published a review of what they claim may be the best American wall map....ever!

You can go to the creator's website and see more for yourself.  And perhaps even buy a copy.  The spent years working on it!  That ought to be good for a couple bucks.

The Utility Of Religion

History does not record anywhere at any time a religion that has any rational basis. Religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to stand up to the unknown without help. But, like dandruff, most people do have a religion and spend time and money on it and seem to derive considerable pleasure from fiddling with it.

-Time Enough For Love, by Robert Heinlein

Pick A Spending Cut

There is a guide to the GOP candidates and their potential federal spending preferences over at the 10^th Amendment Center.

Sadly, Ron Paul is the most prolific as well as the most specific candidate when it comes to spending cuts.  Gary Johnson continues to be my candidate of choice even though his spending proposals are not as specific.

Mr. Obama is not listed.  Primarily because despite his protestations to the contrary, he has no intention of limiting federal spending.