Althouse: A conversation for the end of the year.

December 31, 2012

A conversation for the end of the year.

73 comments:

Anonymous said...: Keep in mind the media do year enders because they can be done before the holidays. They need to create paragraphs and video packages to fill the newsspace when they're not in the office.; 12/31/12, 4:17 PM
Chip S. said...: Hey, I like Loury's bloggingheads stuff better than the others, but...53 minutes??

I'll wait for the outtakes.; 12/31/12, 4:20 PM
Saint Croix said...: I totally agree with Ann! New Year's seems to me such a forced holiday. No religious significance, thus no spiritual significance. Nor is there any patriotic significance, like the 4th of July or Cinco de Mayo.

Seems to me vaguely pagan, like we're going to worship the sun. Yes, we have revolved around the sun. Big whoop.

My dad used to get excited when our odometer was about to flip over.

It's a number. Seriously. People are kinda weird about numbers.; 12/31/12, 4:27 PM
Chip S. said...: No religious significance, thus no spiritual significance. Nor is there any patriotic significance

That's what makes it such a great holiday.

Pure fun.

Just take a cab, being sure to write your address on your hand beforehand.; 12/31/12, 4:35 PM
Saint Croix said...: That's what makes it such a great holiday.

Pure fun.

I like pure fun. But to me, pure fun is spontaneous. One time I was in a bar, and the whole bar started singing American Pie. That was awesome!

New Year's seems very structured and organized. Like you're supposed to have fun. It's organized and structured revelry, but without any underlying significance.

Just seems kinda empty to me.; 12/31/12, 4:45 PM
Chip S. said...: I've given some great NYE parties. The key is the punch.

But then I'm a sentimental fool who enjoys looking back, then ahead, then singing "Auld Land Syne" w/ friends. And waking up trying to piece together the details.

One year in particular left some debris that was very puzzling the next day.; 12/31/12, 4:52 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: The significance is prosperity... that we have it comparatively so good, we have make celebrations up.

Its all good... specially the part of passing on the check.; 12/31/12, 4:55 PM
rhhardin said...: Black kids body counts: the soap opera audience attractor is pretty white girls.

No audience, no coverage.; 12/31/12, 4:55 PM
mesquito said...: I rank any episode of Blogging Heads without Robert Wright as possibly viewable.; 12/31/12, 4:58 PM
rhhardin said...: The problem isn't no coverage for black kids, but coverage for white kids.

It shouldn't be entertainment at all.; 12/31/12, 4:59 PM
Anonymous said...: Got on my black dress and my high heeled boots, I'm out the door! Happy New Year Althousia!; 12/31/12, 5:02 PM
Deirdre Mundy said...: Well, it has religious significance for CATHOLICS...it's a Holy Day of Obligation. You either need to get to Mass tonight before you start partying, or haul yourself out of bed tomorrow morning...

Good luck!; 12/31/12, 5:03 PM
john said...: Posture, posture. I thought he was going to fall over backwards.

For Glenn, a standup guy, I recommend a standup desk.; 12/31/12, 5:03 PM
john said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 12/31/12, 5:06 PM
rhhardin said...: Drone killings:

Both Obama and Bush are correct. Those are non-state threats to US interests.

The state they're living in isn't sovereign in its own territory, so we take care of it for them.

It's in a war. The President is the commander in chief. That's how he gets the moral authority.; 12/31/12, 5:07 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: I'm staying in tonight. I don't particularly like staying up until midnight. It's freezing cold and dark and I'm staying in with a movie.
Went to a Solstice party a few nights ago and that was it for me.

I need my beauty sleep. Tomorrow is go the Denver Art Museum day.

Have fun everyone! Be safe. Happy New Year.; 12/31/12, 5:11 PM
rhhardin said...: Tarantino

Tromboncino (music)

It almost makes you want to take up the trombone, which I don't recommend by the way. Idiot instrument. Guitar or piano has some lasting value.; 12/31/12, 5:14 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: btw- Ann I don't think it's shallow to not want to dwell on the past year. This year was a mess for me. A busy weird mess and I'm not unhappy but I don't really want to think about it.; 12/31/12, 5:15 PM
Phil 314 said...: Nope, not gonna watch. I'll wait for the Lurhmann treatment.

I want to hear the Professor sing "All around the Watch Tower" with a heavy metal beat, maybe with Lady Gaga as backup.; 12/31/12, 5:16 PM
shiloh said...: Summing up for Chip S. et al who doesn't have the time ...

Althouse, w/all due respect.

Shallow

Superficiality of candidates, interesting Althouse flock would say main reason she voted for Obama, whereas I would say the main reason she voted for Willard, although I'm not sure she voted for mittens as she only said she wasn't voting for Obama.

Religion/spirituality

Gun control/gun violence ~ btw, the main difference between Newtown, CT massacre and (500) deaths in Chicago = (((mass media coverage!)))

Althouse blog/HBO Newsroom both seeking a bigger audience, whereas Althouse is just "preaching her sermon" daily to her 90/10 choir. Which is kinda amusing 'cause Althouse says she's mostly a liberal.

Coersion, again not applicable as Althouse in preaching to a choir who attends her mass daily regardless.

Again, characterizing Althouse as a con is a misnomer as she just plays one at her blog.

Great talkin' to 'ya and happy New Year!

Oh, Obama getting a "pass" on Benghazi. Whereas cheney/bush were caught w/their pants down on 9/11 and Bush's Gallup job approval rose to (((90%))).

Maybe someone can comment on the difference in accountability vis à vis the MSM being more more negative ;) on Bush for his negligence re: national security er homeland security when terrorists flew a commercial airliner into the frickin' Pentagon!

Again, cheney/bush fucked up soooo bad that most any future president would look good in comparison.

>

Indeed, it's true as Althouse is mostly liberal but her flock still loves er respects er finds her somewhat interesting as a diversion to their monotonous every day lives.

And it goes w/out sayin' that nothing mentioned/posted here or at Bloggingheads, etc. will ever make a difference re: actual public policy.

Re: 2012 it was pretty much like 2011 and 2013 should look quite similar. Shocking!

And so it goes ...; 12/31/12, 5:18 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Shiloh - give it a rest. zzzzz.; 12/31/12, 5:19 PM
Saint Croix said...: But then I'm a sentimental fool who enjoys looking back, then ahead, then singing "Auld Land Syne" w/ friends.

Hey, at least you know the words.; 12/31/12, 5:24 PM
Saint Croix said...: I'm like, "Aaba, aaba be forgot."; 12/31/12, 5:25 PM
shiloh said...: AprilApple, who has reading comprehension deficit IIRC, just performing a public service. If my characterization of the blogger chat session was not accurate, Althouse is "free" to chime in ... on her year end reflections.; 12/31/12, 5:30 PM
MadisonMan said...: Finally, he ditched the hand-held phone!; 12/31/12, 5:31 PM
Anonymous said...: My, Shiloh is an ambitious troll.; 12/31/12, 5:34 PM
shiloh said...: Although April's zzzzz is a fairly accurate description of the (53) minutes. IOW nothin' new under the sun.; 12/31/12, 5:39 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "Indeed, it's true as Althouse is mostly liberal but her flock still loves er respects er finds her somewhat interesting as a diversion to their monotonous every day lives."

The subject of why conservatives like me and liberals don't is quite interesting, but you're not thinking deeply about it. You're just throwing out an insult/joke. I could write a book on this topic.; 12/31/12, 5:43 PM
shiloh said...: "I could write a book on this topic."

hmm, maybe a paragraph as your posts are over 90% anti-Obama, anti-liberal so naturally cons love it, whereas libs, not so much.

ok, ok, one sentence as this blog and blogging in general is not rocket science!; 12/31/12, 5:50 PM
Sorun said...: I like Althouse because she reads all of the crap I won't. Shiloh, for example.; 12/31/12, 5:51 PM
shiloh said...: Let me rephrase: Your political threads are over 90% anti-Obama.; 12/31/12, 5:53 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "hmm, maybe a paragraph as your posts are over 90% anti-Obama, anti-liberal so naturally cons love it, whereas libs, not so much."

I actually give a brief answer in this diavlog. I'm not going to write it out for you, because you're disrespectful and jerky.; 12/31/12, 5:53 PM
Baron Zemo said...: Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha!

Get out of here and take your shoes and glasses jerky!

Happy New Year!; 12/31/12, 5:58 PM
edutcher said...: I never go out on Amateur Night, but, this year, the stupids are in overdrive, at least in NE OH.

Anyplace else?

Saint Croix said...

I totally agree with Ann! New Year's seems to me such a forced holiday. No religious significance, thus no spiritual significance. Nor is there any patriotic significance, like the 4th of July or Cinco de Mayo.

It's a big deal in Bonnie Scotland. Any visitor is entitled to a wee dro' o' Scotch, which amounts to about 2 fingers. The mailman is well-stoked with anti-freeze after the first block.

PS The little asshole needs to come over and do his schtick one last time as if anybody cares and, yes, what is said here does affect public policy because politicians on our side do listen.

OTOH He likes being one of the extras in Triumph Des Willens; 12/31/12, 5:59 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: The little dipshit thinks it's NOT among the Althouse.

Ha ha ha ha

The little dipshit thinks it's NOT an Althouse lemming ha ha ha ha ha

The little dipshit thinks it's NOT an Althouse hillbilly

HA HA HA HA HA

The little dipshit shows up every day to say that ha ha ha ha ha ha

You know in ancient Egypt little midgets were considered fabulous treasures. No shit. There's this thing where the guy brags about bringing one back from Nubia. He was elevated for it. Turns out, they are the BEST court entertainers. And if you don't believe me, it's chiseled in stone.; 12/31/12, 5:59 PM
shiloh said...: Again Althouse, cons enjoy your daily sermons. Congrats as it's that basic. You are part of their daily routine.; 12/31/12, 6:02 PM
Sorun said...: I think it's more common in Latin America to wish others a prosperous new year, rather than "happy," as we do it.

Try doing that tonight instead and see where the conversation goes.; 12/31/12, 6:02 PM
shiloh said...: "Ha ha ha ha

The little dipshit thinks it's NOT an Althouse lemming ha ha ha ha ha

The little dipshit thinks it's NOT an Althouse hillbilly

HA HA HA HA HA

The little dipshit shows up every day to say that ha ha ha ha ha ha"

Indeed, as it's quite evident why childish chippy is your favorite lemming. Such eloquence is undeniable!; 12/31/12, 6:04 PM
WineSlob said...: In Twenty Twelve the Wine Went Sour
The Nation's Countenance Turned Dour
We're Teetering on the Eleventh Hour
Watching the Wilting of the Flower

And None Doth Nero-Zer0 Regret
The Vile Tyranny of His Debt
He Fiddles as Flunkies Deny the Threat
In Flames of Fraud Are We Beset

For the Seizing of the Reign Hath Wrought
An End to Ways for Which We Fought
The Cringing Citizenry Distraught
Discerns the Noose Becoming Taut

Yes Twenty Twelve Hath Come and Gone
And in the Facade of Rights and Wrongs
In Every Psuedo Word and Song
The Lefties Planned it All Along.; 12/31/12, 6:05 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: That's the fourth time I've heard amateur night. That's a good phrase.

If tonight is amateur night then two nights ago was professional night. There was hardly anyone out, but everyone out was clustered around me pulling the fastest maneuvers right next to me. Along with the downtown cars people suddenly appeared at critical junctures. Groups of people appeared out of nowhere right at the most dangerous spots. People and cars suddenly appear out of nowhere all at once as if by dark magic to vex a turn for all parties. All the parking spots filled until I park then the lot suddenly emptied right before my eyes restricting my movement in the cold. Then later, no movement in the lot at all, dead silence, until I turn on my ignition then suddenly ignitions start, lights go on and the lot is alive with frenetic activity. And the exact same pattern on the way back. Vehicles flying out of nowhere to stick to me like remoras, but pulling the fastest unnecessary driving stunts. It was like a Twilight Zone episode in black and white.; 12/31/12, 6:13 PM
Synova said...: How is "symbolically valuable gesture" different from Wright claiming that emotion is a good basis for policy?; 12/31/12, 6:18 PM
Synova said...: And it's possible to understand why people feel how they feel without endorsing that as a foundation for policy.; 12/31/12, 6:20 PM
Ann Althouse said...: @synova. I completely agree with you. Thanks for making those connections.; 12/31/12, 6:21 PM
rhhardin said...: One symbolic gesture might be to do what the constitution seems to say regardless of the will of the TV people.

That's a confidence builder among the non-ruling class.

Rather than declaring war on those who increasingly lack confidence in what the leaders are up to.; 12/31/12, 6:30 PM
Synova said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 12/31/12, 6:37 PM
Synova said...: Although... what government *says* is one of the things that I and others found upsetting related to, oh, the movie maker guy who is now in prison.

Or when Obama doesn't seem to clearly articulate a commitment to freedom or the Constitution or whatever.

But those things are more in the realm of "speech" than what the coercive policies of government say.

Something that government should say in it's coercive type of speech is that it trusts citizens.; 12/31/12, 6:40 PM
edutcher said...: shiloh said...

Indeed, as it's quite evident why childish chippy is your favorite lemming. Such eloquence is undeniable!

OK, on different occasions, (s)he has said Chip Ahoy, Shouting Thomas, or I am Althouse's favorite lemming.

Let's have it out tonight. Ann, who is it?

(or do we need five and an envelope?)

Enquiring minds want to know.; 12/31/12, 6:55 PM
jr565 said...: Obama is not charismatic nor charming to me. I never saw the appeal. Clinton was charming.
Obama comes across professorially and cold.
Cool is maybe a good word except that's not charming. Cool is aloof.; 12/31/12, 6:58 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: I like the exchange that begins at around 16:00. I agree with the politics as religion is dangerous idea.

Yes, Obama won because he is the pop-culture favorite. Romney was the rich nerdy businessman. We are stuck with the cool dude who wants to destroy the economy.; 12/31/12, 7:08 PM
Rusty said...: edutcher said...
I never go out on Amateur Night

word, my man.
Stay home. Snuggle with your sweetie and let the amateurs puke on their shoes.; 12/31/12, 7:19 PM
Michael K said...: One year when I was in college, we had a rip snorting NYE party and all ended up sleeping on the floor of an older fraternity brother's parents' house.

When morning came, his mother made meatball sandwiches for us. I have loved meatball sandwiches ever since.

My fraternity brother was electrocuted a couple of years later when he jumped out of the pool at own his house to open the garage door for a guest. He pressed the button for the garage door opener and that was that.

His new wife did CPR on him until the ambulance came with no response. Life is fragile. That was over 50 years ago. I think about him every New Year and I still like meatball sandwiches.; 12/31/12, 7:27 PM
ricpic said...: Romney was the nerdy businessman. We are stuck with the cool dude...

I don't think Romney projected nerdiness at all. In fact I think his undoing is that he was so obviously an Alpha Male. The mediocrities, the army of resentment and jealousy can't stand that. Yes, they voted for their government goodies but they also voted to stick it to a total winner. It's all they know. Not look up to and emulate, rather stew in seething resentment and given the chance tear down, punish. Yup, the eloquent Sam Donaldson was right when he said recently speaking of the Tea Party, "It's not your country anymore, it's ours." Ours. Translation: his tiny vanguard clique channeling the inchoate resentment of the great army of worthless shiftless dreck.; 12/31/12, 7:34 PM
trailbee said...: When Glenn brought up the question of the Chicago youths, I found your answer really interesting. When Trayvon Martin "was murdered" he was considered an innocent child. Very slowly the real Trayvon Martin emerged and there was a different reaction. We have heard very little from Sheila Jackson Lee or anyone else for that matter, in connection of the shooting. Prosecution of the shooter, the "real Identity" of the victim have receded. No one wants to bring up an uncomfortable truth about what really happened that evening. Yes, we know the places we can avoid, and do. The Miami location was Sandy Hook, in a one-on-one shooting. Different, but the same.
Thanks for an interesting phone call.; 12/31/12, 7:42 PM
rcocean said...: I never thought Glenn would be a 'Django Unchained' Fan. IMO, it was typical Tarantino with some good scenes, one-liners and acting - but way too long at 168 minutes. Has a funny scene that's sorta "Seinfeld meets the KKK".; 12/31/12, 8:47 PM
n.n said...: Ann Althouse:

I'll take the time and tell you why I return to your site. You respect individual dignity. You recognize an intrinsic value of human life. While I do not agree with all of your positions, I do agree with most. I observe that you distinguish between behaviors which may be normalized, can be tolerated, and should be rejected. I appreciate where our classification of behaviors diverges and can infer that they mostly occur with cause. I also enjoy the diverse topics you cover and that you are not afraid to cover the "controversial" (e.g. social) issues, especially when they are exploited as incidental to obfuscate other issues or deny a proper conversation.

Have a Happy New Year!; 12/31/12, 8:50 PM
Anonymous said...: For what it's worth, that argument Glenn brought to your attention from the Stanford lawyer and political theorist is similar to the one that Cass Sunstein has made using behavioral economics in 'Nudge,' based partially on the work of Ronald Coase.

Due to what neuroscience, behavioral economics, and other fields are finding out about the brain, human behavior, and incentives, laws are already guiding people anyways through all sorts of ways, so why not 'nudge' them where you want to go and use the power of the State to do so...

These social sciences will be used (as economics is all the time) no doubt for policy-making, political and legal theory and will form the metaphysical foundations for many future politicians, especially Democrats.

They've already inspired nanny-Statism and Bloomberg.

I find myself thinking of them as the 'new rationalists' not just your old Humanists and Leftists (Sunstein's wife is Samantha Power).

I remember visiting Harvard and all the rage was Kantian ethics.

It never ceases to amaze my how easily intellectual trends and fads are just as prevalent in law faculties and the Ivies as they are in middle-school.

We're all susceptible to it.; 12/31/12, 9:40 PM
bagoh20 said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 12/31/12, 9:55 PM
bagoh20 said...: "... you're disrespectful and jerky."

I know, huh?

Shiloh derides us Althousians for coming here often, because we like the people here, but he comes here all the time too, and he doesn't even like us. He shows up, strides through with his nose in the air and toilet paper stuck to his shoe. It's embarrassing, and it makes some of us feel a little uncomfortable for you. Please do better.; 12/31/12, 9:57 PM
Anonymous said...: Oh, and as you point out, this "New Rationalist" framework is what the encroachment of Obamacare and all manner of progressives will use to justify State power, and its continual intrusion into people's lives. All those huge bureaucracies are necessary, you see, because we're all progressing just like the sciences and technology are progressing.

HUD just needs all the newest computers and Obamacare will round up all this new data and technology and implement into the best care possible based on current knowledge.

It's not that psychology, sociology, neuroscience etc are partisan by any means, but some of their epistemelogical foundations lend very nicely to a rational framework that will affect laws, the moral reasoning for those laws, public policy and everyday politics.

It poses great threats to liberty, as I see it.; 12/31/12, 10:00 PM
Sprezzatura said...: "The subject of why conservatives like me and liberals don't is quite interesting"

Glenn seems to like you. He called himself a progressive, I think that means lib.

Anywho, I hope the book would include a couple chapters noting how they (i.e the con commenters) go crazy in the rare posts where you clearly diverge from their POV. Why are they so unable to hear opposing views?

And, why are (supposedly) so many Fox viewers and Rush listeners liberals/Ds? If the Althouse theory doesn't address the way libs seem to love listening to the other side's media, but cons can't stand opposing views (how many cons follow Kos and Current), it will be a failure, imho.; 12/31/12, 10:02 PM
Rusty said...: @synova. I completely agree with you"

Synova, you suck up.; 12/31/12, 10:25 PM
Unknown said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 12/31/12, 10:42 PM
Synova said...: "Synova, you suck up."

I'm not very good at it though. It almost never works. :); 12/31/12, 11:11 PM
Synova said...: By the way... I like that guy. He's interesting to listen to and seems thoughtful instead of pedantic. If he said something I disagreed with, I'd still be likely to listen and try to understand his point of view.; 12/31/12, 11:15 PM
rcocean said...: Sorry, can we PLEASE talk more about "shiloh" I find left-wing trolls so rare and fascinating.

Also, would Ritmo, LOS, Garage, and Inga please post some comments? They always brighten any thread with their fascinating and nowhere else to be found Liberal politics. I mean somebody supports Obama?! Weird, wild stuff.; 12/31/12, 11:30 PM
Anonymous said...: I like Glenn too, though I may disagree. He talks and listens. You could see yourself being friends with Glenn.; 12/31/12, 11:35 PM
Anonymous said...: The kids in Chicago are kids, and I don't want to see them cut short, losing their hopes and dreams.

But I also reject the progressive and Big-state solutions, and frankly the community activist model as the best solution.

Trayvon's case, tragic though it is, was also grossly unfair for Zimmerman, mishandled and also exploited for political gain.

The rawness of dreams deferred find a voice with activism, but at what cost?; 12/31/12, 11:48 PM
Sprezzatura said...: If Althouse opposes spiritual/religious motivations re governmental policies, shouldn't she also oppose Scalia's reliance on religious morality, aka feelings of virtue?

Re Glenn's thought experiment, don't forget to imagine Jim Jones in the third branch.; 12/31/12, 11:56 PM
Sorun said...: "Also, would Ritmo, LOS, Garage, and Inga please post some comments?"

Don't know about the others, but Inga, in her black dress and high heels, is in the hunt for some hot beef injection(s).

To all you other fornicators, have a prosperous new year!; 12/31/12, 11:58 PM
Synova said...: "But I also reject the progressive and Big-state solutions, and frankly the community activist model as the best solution."

I sometimes wonder what the relationship is to masculinity, wanting to be a "gangster", and making it so you can't be a macho bad-*ss AND a law abiding citizen. Given a societally limited choice between being a sheep and being a wolf... choosing "wolf" is the only rational choice, really. Anyone who expects different is a moron.

There have been attempts at giving young black men other choices over the years. I think that's what some of these para-military or Islamic inner city groups have been about, but they don't tend to actually be endorsed by society so they start out antagonistic in nature.

But even if they don't work so well, doesn't it make far more sense to say to law abiding black men in a place like Chicago... we *trust* you, you're a man, and you can be bad-*ss without being a wolf, you can be a sheep-dog in your community because we *trust* you as a rational force for good?

Radical, I know.; 1/1/13, 1:10 AM
Saint Croix said...: I think about politics as a religion substitute. It's a spiritual pull on people...even more manipulative, even more dangerous...

This is brilliant stuff.

But what about the Supreme Court? To me it's obvious the Court fulfils a "religion substitute" for many people, particularly the liberal mind.

Why do they wear robes? It comes from religion! It's as if they are speaking for God. And yet the Supreme Court is highly secular, even hostile to religion at times. So they have all the symbolism of religion, without all the spirituality of religion.

They are a false religion.

I find this a very dangerous mix. We use these highly symbolic terms, like "Justice," to desribe someone sitting on the Supreme Court. But you're not Justice, you're a human being, capable of error and mistake. Maybe you're Injustice!

And I find it preposterous that these Justices, so-called, do not even know what a "person" is. That's how high above us they are. They are floating in an Ivy towery of logic and philosophy, above us mere mortals.

Althouse loves to quote Casey. "At the heart of liberty is the right to define one’s own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life."

That is not legal analysis. That's not Constitutional law. That's Moses coming down from the mountain, issuing a religous proclamation that each individual woman gets to define reality for herself.

The Supreme Court is describing the heart of liberty as a right to play God. You get to decide if somebody else is alive or not alive. There is no reality, no universe, outside of your own will. Your will is all, and you can remake the universe according to your will. You define what the universe is to be.

There is a danger, a hubris, in playing God.; 1/1/13, 2:31 AM
Saint Croix said...: Loury writes a beautiful essay here.; 1/1/13, 2:56 AM
LoafingOaf said...: You didn't write 5,000 posts in 2012. A good share of those posts were simply you setting up a comment section for right wingers to post about whatever was on Drudge.; 1/1/13, 3:24 AM