Watcher's Council nominations, 3/28/07

Every week, the Watcher's Council members nominate two posts each, one from the Council members and one from outside for consideration by the whole Council. The complete list of this week's Council nominations can be found at the site of our fearless leader, Watcher of Weasels



COUNCIL NEWS: We have someone new on board, Laer from the renowned Cheat Seeking Missiles...check him out!

OK, here's this week's Council lineup:

1. J O S H U A P U N D I T: 3 Card Monte - the Palestinian aid scam continues This week, as the Palestinian unity government whines about the so-called `aid boycott' and attempts to shake down gullible westerners for more jirzyah, I decided to reveal a few truths...that aid to the Palestinians actually increased during the `boycott', and that the Palestinian Authority is far from broke and destitute - in short, as the title suggests, this is one of the most egregious (and successful) con games on earth.

2. Done With Mirrors: O Believers Callimachus uses Charlie Parker as a launching pad to a fine essay that asks the question...how do you divorce pain from art? The answer of course (at least to me) is that art is life and life is art, and they affect each other. And that artists make life choices just like the rest of us that don't necessarily figure in the equation - unless they do.

3. Soccer Dad: Dollars (and respect) for Dahlan Soccer Dad likewise focuses this week on the Palestinian aid scam, particularly as it regards the new respectability of `moderate' Fatah gangleader Mahmoud Dahlan.

One thing Soccer Dad may know but didn't mention is that much of Dahlan's clout comes from his association with the CIA during the Bush Adminstration's first term...not that this stopped three CIA employees from getting murdered by Arafat's Fatah gunmen in Gaza, something no Palestinian has ever been jailed for.One can only imagine the kind of information Dahlan is privy to...

4. Right Wing Nut House : POLITICIZING SCIENCE here, Rick takes on the intersecting of science and political agendas as evidenced by the global warming controversy.

5. The Glittering Eye: Greece and Mesopotamia: Origins of Greek ThoughtThis week, The Glittering Eye's Dave Schuler has a fascinating post on the interaction between Greek and Mesopotamian thought. Interestingly enough, that symbiotic process continued with Alexander the Great's conquests establishing `Greece in Asia' and the subsequent Seleucid Empire.

The roots of Greek and Eastern thought go deep, and the dividing point can be laid
(like many other unfortunate events)to Mohammed and the advent of Islam.


6. Rhymes With Right: Tinker Must Be Preserved Here, Greg comments on the Supreme Court's Tinker v Des Moines
decision that allows students in public schools freedom of speech. He writes in the framework of the recent `bong hits 4 Jesus' controversy.


7. The Colossus of Rhodey: Student Press Rights Here, Hube likewise discusses Tinker v Des Moines in the light of the bong hits 4 Jesus' story.


8. The scary nihilism of the Left: Bookworm Room This week, the erudite Mrs. Bookworm highlights a video of a speech by leftist turned conservative Evan Sayet, an ex-liberal deep in Hollywood’s heart. He claims that he understands the Left’s ultimate goal: nihilism.

I don't necessarily agree with him on that point. The Angry Left's goals, IMO are not nihilism - nothing - but totalitarian power and control.

9. Eternity Road: Demographics And The Medicalization Of Human Existence Francis examines how the most spoiled and selfish generation in America's history, the baby boomers are using their political and financial weight to warp America's culture for their own benefit.

10. The Education Wonks: More Hollywood Idiocy: "Wristcutters: A Love Story" EdWonk discusses a particularly nasty case of Hollywood exploitation - a `comedy' about suicide aimed at teens.


11. Big Lizards: “What the Meaning of "Fizz" Is” Here, Dafydd Ab Hugh examines the controversy over the firing of 8 US political appointees by AG Gonzalez and parses it for the ridiculous non-scandal it is.

12.Cheat Seeking Missiles: NanFran's Cool Investments New guy Laer takes a fun look at the hypocrisy surrounding Nancy Pelosi's statements - as opposed to her actions that directly benefit her financially!





That's this week's lineup..enjoy!