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Thursday, August 14, 2003

George Bush is a big government conservative. [OpinionJournal] The case for Mr. Bush's conservatism is strong. Sure, some conservatives are upset because he has tolerated a surge in federal spending, downplayed swollen deficits, failed to use his veto, created a vast Department of Homeland Security, and fashioned an alliance of sorts with Teddy Kennedy on education and Medicare. But the real gripe is that Mr. Bush isn't their kind of conventional conservative. Rather, he's a big government conservative. This isn't a description he or other prominent conservatives willingly embrace. It makes them sound as if they aren't conservatives at all. But they are. They simply believe in using what would normally be seen as liberal means--activist government--for conservative ends. And they're willing to spend more and increase the size of government in the process. Ronald Reagan must be rolling over in his grave. Oh, yeah, that's right, he's still alive. What can a big government conservative be? Does that mean you mean government should be big enough to pay attention to what library books we read, but not big enough to provide health insurance? That government should be big, yes, but we shouldn't pay for it? These Wall Street Journal guys are just too sophisticated for me. 10:12:14 PM  Permalink  comment []

Believe It, or Not. One of the most poisonous divides is the one between intellectual and religious America. By Nicholas D. Kristof. [New York Times: Opinion] 10:05:24 PM  Permalink  comment []

Whale Flatulence Need I say more? Check out the real-live picture of a farting whale! 8:31:17 PM  Permalink  comment []

Mars With the moon out, and so close to the planet in the night sky, it's not worth getting ot the scope for right now. But, courtesy of CSICOP's newsletter, here's a list of good sites to see pictures & learn more: Mars in the Sky: http://SkyandTelescope.com/observing/objects/planets Best Mars (and other planet) Pictures: http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov The Nine Planets Site: http://www.nineplanets.org/mars.html Views of the Solar System Site: http://www.solarviews.com/eng/mars.htm NASA Mars Missions: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov OR http://cmex-www.arc.nasa.gov Astronomy Education Resources (in general): http://www.astrosociety.org/education.html It would be fun to see a good bibliography of books about Mars, both fiction and non-fiction. It's been the location of lots of great science fiction novels, and also a number of non-fiction books as well. (And don't miss the stunning image on today's APOD.) 12:38:54 PM  Permalink  comment []

© Copyright 2004 Steve Michel.