(no subject)

hunter s. thompson's political writings are genius. if you simply think of him as a drug-addled old crank -- well, you're partly right. but let no one say he led an uninteresting life. let no one say he did not contribute to the american zeitgeist. hunter s. thompson, as a political journalist, always sought the core of the matter, and that's a rare commodity these days. so thanks, hunter. you're a fucking jerk to go out this way, but thanks.

(no subject)

from the new york times:

Mr. Bush himself alluded to what he expected to be a cool European reception at the start of his speech, when he quoted John Adams, although not by name, on Benjamin Franklin's service as American ambassador to Paris more than two centuries ago.

"His reputation was more universal than Leibnitz or Newton, Frederick or Voltaire, and his character more beloved and esteemed than any or all of them," Mr. Bush quoted Adams as saying about Franklin. The president noted that Adams went on to say "there was scarcely a peasant or a citizen" who "did not consider him as a friend to humankind."

i'm shocked bush can even SAY leibnitz! he has no idea who any of those people are. ok, ok, he knows who franklin and adams are. but jeebus, what a ridiculous thing to have bush quote.

Mr. Bush then said to laughter that "I have been hoping for a similar reception, but Secretary Rice told me I should be a realist."

heh. i'm guessing he doesn't get the pun, either. realist...realist? as in realist theories of international relations? state as principle actor in international politics? balance of power? morganthau? mearsheimer? get it? *sigh* i'm such a poly sci nerd.