http://pol.moveon.org/mccain10/ 10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don’t): John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has “evolved,” yet he’s continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1 According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on … More John McCain Fact Sheet
When my dedicated colleague retires, which is sure to happen soon, what should I do about the honor society? I cannot stand it, I cannot tolerate organizations whose names are comprised of Greek letters, and the initiation ceremony is genuinely Fascist. As it is the party must be held in my house, as my house … More Another Serious Question
Clinton has, to be sure, faced a raw misogyny that has been more out in the open than the racial attacks on Obama have been. But while sexism may be more casually accepted, racism, which is often coded, is more insidious and trickier to confront. Clinton’s response to “Iron my shirt” was immediate and straightforward: … More Invisible Racism
Of course I like the name Shahrzad very much and am considering adopting it myself. In Arabic class my name was Ouidad but Ouidad is now a hair salon in New York and I am not. Here is Shahrzad: “The record of the feminist movement worldwide shows that the struggle for liberation is multidimensional, with … More Shahrzad Mojab on “Muslim” Women and “Western” Feminists
The concept of citizenship is apparently difficult. Many people do not know what it is. They are nationalistic and they want immigrants, for instance, “to know our language and our culture, to understand our form of government and our laws.” Yet they tend not to believe in the rights of “man” and citizen. Daniel Brook’s … More The Idea of Citizenship
THEN: Person: You are the tenured person and the one with the grownup house, so you should host the department party. PZ: How novel and interesting to be in this position. Out of exoticism I will definitely host this party. Besides, it is now my duty to do so. NOW: Person: You are the tenured … More On Collegiality and Service
I am busy today so I am posting one of my old drafts. It does not correspond to today’s events factually, but it does so metaphorically very well. Even the comments I am now writing fictionalize the situation, although they do convey its gestalt. My feelings today are not primarily anger but frustration, nervousness, and … More Anger I Sing
CINCO DE MAYO Today all members of Greater Mexico celebrate the Battle of Puebla. I am celebrating with a son huasteco. You should really follow that link – it goes to a really classic performance which cannot be embedded elsewhere. Here is a good live performance of the petenera, with the audience dancing. And there … More Amores criollos
This is a post I know the Paper Chaser will appreciate. Job candidates, wear your jackets, and ties if applicable, no matter what anyone says! Last year one of ours did not and it was because the instructors and graduate students had told him at the arrival from airport party that it was not necessary. They said … More Why Job Candidates Should Wear Jackets
“Para empezar a cantar / pido permiso primero.” –Corrido de Benjamín Argumedo It is the weekend, and I am singing the Internationale but more importantly, a set of corridos to increase my levels of machismo and mexicanidad. Now that we are to be armed at the university, I may just have to put on my … More Oigan mi nuevo corrido
coldhearted scientist وداد 