Accidental Blogger
A general interest blog
Category: Educational, Cultural & Social Matters
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I was just reading about water law pertaining to the use of underground water. Making some point or another, the author invoked the tragedy of the commons, which got me to thinking — is it an inkblot? An initial disclaimer: I'm not smart enough to understand the game theory aspects of this, i.e., that the…
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A Texas legislator has suggested that Asian Americans should consider changing their given names and adopt something simpler "that’s easier for Americans to deal with.” I understand that foreign names can be a mouthful and a bit confusing across language barriers. Have some Asians themselves confused things further by adopting "American" names for daily usage while keeping their…
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Over at the Volokh Conspiracy, Orin Kerr has a post up, the polling data of which purportedly show that liberals are more willing to set aside the clear text of the law in order to reach a result which is not cruel and awful. Orin and I agree that non-deportation is the "compassionate" response; I…
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First the Iowa Supreme Court, followed by the Vermont Legislature and now Noah Webster? Will the fact that dictionaries are giving a nod to same sex unions in their definition of "marriage," smooth the way for gay marriage? Opponents of gay marriage generally have relied on two authorities, the Bible and the dictionary—the divine word and the defined word. A 2006…
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Love and marriage? How about the global economy and marriage? Indian bachelors in the US and other western countries used to be a coveted catch in the arranged marriage market back home. Not any more. With India's own economy improving and western job markets wobbly, many Indian brides (and their parents) are opting for marital bliss at home. With their own job prospects improving…
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Here. Passover begins tomorrow. I wonder what Zablon Simantov will be celebrating.
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The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that terminal cancer patients with religious faith are more likely to resort to heroic measures to prolong life than their secular counterparts. (see the NIH publication, Medicine Plus) TUESDAY, March 17 (HealthDay News) — People with advanced cancer who turn to their religion to help them cope are…
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I was just reading a Time article about the health effects of marijuana — pot being a big topic in the press lately due to talks in California focused on trying to legalize the nation's #1 cash crop in order to resolve major financial difficulties — and stumbled across this interesting set of numbers: [T]he…
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Part of this post contains information gathered via Ennis' post at Sepia Mutiny. Is this the first time that a US state has attempted to ban religious head gear from official identity photos? One Oklahoma law maker has added a requirement in a state bill which if passed will make it unlawful to have one's driver's license…
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I love my washing machine – a sturdy, reliable, oversized contraption with a stainless steel drum that doesn't chip like most enameled ones. But never have I looked upon it as my liberator! Well, not any more than my car, refrigerator, microwave oven, cooking range, garage door opener and sundry other household conveniences. And in computing comparative liberating power, it is difficult to assign a…
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I had been recently asked to translate the lines from an 18th century Tamil poem, written in the lingo of the Koravas or Narikoravas, an itinerant tribe often termed the 'Gypsies of South India'.As I researched verse after verse, I found some very interesting essays and commentaries about their history and traditions. Today Kurava people…
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Okay, so we haven't talked about it here despite the hoopla. Slumdog Millionaire that is. But today I came across this hilarious video that is worth posting. I am flummoxed by the mass appeal of the movie which swept this year's Oscars and a bit amused when people ask me slightly breathlessly if I am happy about its stupendous success. Friends of my age haven't bothered but…
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A small news item in today's local paper caught my eye. In these hard economic times, a coffee shop in Maine has won the battle with the local city council to employ topless wait persons to boost sales. (The G-rated video here) VASSALBORO, Maine — Cup size has more than one meaning at a new central…
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Astounding? No, not according to some anti-evolution, Intelligent Design proponents like Kelly J. Coghlan whose op-ed piece appeared in Houston Chronicle's opinion page last Sunday. Jeffrey Dahmer, America’s most infamous serial killer who cannibalized 17 boys before capture, gave a final interview to Dateline NBC before his death and explained: “If a person doesn’t think…
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Forget chocolates, roses, baubles and bears. Don't fret over the perfect ambience for the candlelight dinner. Ignore Mars-Venus interpretations of the world. What you really need to pay attention to in a romantic alliance is diplomacy, negotiation and balance of power. So says Stephen M. Walt, professor of International Relations at Harvard. Believe me, as a long married person who has…
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