"This is the Voice of Moderation. I wouldn't go so far as to say we've actually SEIZED the radio station . . . "
Liberal Japonicus 
by liberal japonicus Alfred the Great was surprised by ‘the Great Heathen Army’ (a great name for a punk band) led by Viking King Guthrum and escaped disguised as a peasant. While in disguise, he was able to hide in a cowherd’s hut and the cowherd’s wife asked him to watch some oatcakes on a … Read more
by liberal japonicus I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been spending a lot of time watching comedians on YouTube, and beyond the laughs, I’m always interested in how jokes and routines are constructed. So it was a bit of luck to find the work of Stewart Lee, a British standup comedian. If you don’t like it, … Read more
by liberal japonicus A searchable database of the Epstein emails is here. Comment on any interesting ones you find.
by liberal japonicus Well, folks might want to talk about this cave in. Have at it.
by liberal japonicus I earlier noted Vance’s defenestration of his wife re: her religion, so when this article about how MAGA is none too pleased about Vivek Ramaswamy running for Ohio governor came up, it prompted a few thoughts. From the article: Ramaswamy posted a message on X soon after Trump’s endorsement, writing: Thank you, … Read more
by liberal japonicus If you couldn’t guess from the title of this week’s edition, these music threads are not always going to be music that is on my playlist, and I would be surprised if this week’s is on anyone else’s. After Russell’s fascinating dive into the clave, I thought that connections between music and … Read more
by liberal japonicus via Maya Angelou re: this You may write me down in historyWith your bitter, twisted lies,You may trod me in the very dirtBut still, like dust, I’ll rise. Does my sassiness upset you?Why are you beset with gloom?’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wellsPumping in my living room. Just like moons … Read more
by liberal japonicus The last post was about Vance’s response about his wife’s faith, which has gotten various takes, the most interesting of which for me are with Indian press (such as these from the Times of India here, here, here or the Hindustan Times here, here and here) and everyone is welcome to talk … Read more
by liberal japonicus I can’t imagine the bravery required for this student to stand up in the middle of a Turning Point agit-prop rally. Also take note of Vance’s oleaginous reply. The fact that it is at Ole Miss, while unsurprising, is the bit that makes me truely ill.
by liberal japonicus The word ‘band’, for many people, brings to mind school buses and high school students. This image has groups that are bands call themselves ‘wind orchestras’ or ‘wind ensembles’ in order plug into the prestige of high culture. This first recording here by the North Texas Wind Symphony, which is the ‘band’ … Read more