Political News Online

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

wOw?s Question of the Week: If you were no longer married, would you marry or partner with a younger man?

Join Candice Bergen, Joan Ganz Cooney and Mary Wells in the conversation

Question of the Week | 11/10/2010 12:00 am

Candice Bergen: Okay. First, it’s about time THAT sexist taboo was done away with. Once it was addressed, it disintegrated fairly quickly. That said, if I were not so extremely old and happily married, I might partner with a younger guy — with the understanding that it would end badly … for me. And with the understanding that as I aged and withered and fattened, my anxiety would also increase. It wouldn’t be a relationship for sissies.

Source: http://www.wowowow.com/pov/question-week-candice-bergen-mary-wells-joan-ganz-cooney-marry-partner-younger-man-i-am-number-four-alex-ettyfer-510314

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Monday, December 20, 2010

Are You Trying to Persuade -- or Showing Off?

He was asking for it. He repeatedly needled me and ridiculed libertarianism. I'd had enough.

For the next 12 minutes, I folded, spindled, and mutilated every comment he made, every argument he mustered, every belief he expressed.

My weapons and ammunition? Every fact, insight, and argument I had learned from Murray Rothbard, Ayn Rand, Ludwig von Mises, Henry Hazlitt, and the great libertarian thinkers. All delivered with devastating force and biting wit.

The results? Total destruction of his beliefs and arguments. Embarrassment and humiliation for him.

The consequences to me and libertarianism? He hated my guts for making him look bad. Most of the 30 people at the party felt sorry for him -- and angry with me. Not for what I said, but for how I said it. I turned off and burned off a lot of people -- who might well have been receptive and responsive to libertarianism.

This happened 25 years ago. I remember it like it happened yesterday.

What went wrong?

I showed off. "Look how much I know. Listen to how many books I've read. Look how bad I make you look. Listen how idiotic I make your beliefs sound. And, look around, all your friends are watching you get put in your place."

I showed off -- at his expense.

Maybe you've never done this. Perhaps you haven't unloaded on someone like I did. Or haven't done it as harshly as I did. Or maybe you haven't done it as publicly -- in front of the other guy's family, friends, or co-workers.

Maybe I was imitating or emulating Francisco d'Anconia's behavior at social events and parties in Atlas Shrugged.

I'm not sure.

Showing off at someone else's expense creates bad first impressions. And they linger and last.

Showing off at someone's expense can be exhilarating, exciting, and a rush. Some users find it attractive. Some find it addictive. But it harms the users -- and the used. The perpetrators -- and the victims. And it creates needless opposition to liberty.

Showing off at another person's expense will cost you dearly.

Profit from my embarrassing blunder.

Ask yourself: Do you want to show that you know more than other people? Do you want to prove you have read more than other people? Do you want to show that you are smarter than other people? Do you want to show off -- at someone else's expense?

Or do you want to persuade?

If you choose to persuade, check out Michael Cloud's acclaimed book Secrets of Libertarian Persuasion,

Source: http://www.theadvocates.org/blog/187.rss

BENJAMIN HOOKS BENJAMIN NETANYAHU BENJAMIN TODD BEST COMPANIES

The Victorians: Time and Space with Richard J. Evans

The Victorians: Time and Space with Richard J. Evans
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, communication was slow, even relatively short journeys were uncertain and time-consuming, and people were dependant on the forces of nature for energy; this lecture charts the development of new modes of communication, from the railway to the radio, the telegraph to the telephone, the steamship to the motor-car and examines their efforts on perceptions of time and space.

For transcript and download versions of this lecture, please visit the event's page on the Gresham College website: The Victorians: Time and Space
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:00:00 -0700
Location: London, Museum of London, Gresham College
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/2010/09/13/The_Victorians_Time_and_Space_with_Richard_J_Evans

Source: http://fora.tv/2010/09/13/The_Victorians_Time_and_Space_with_Richard_J_Evans

GUAM GUANTANAMO GUANTANAMO BAY GULF OF MEXICO

Republicans regain majority in New York state senate

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republicans will regain control of the New York State Senate in January after a Democrat on Monday lost a recount bid for his closely fought Long Island seat.

Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/Reuters/PoliticsNews/~3/BHttGRRzp-4/idUSTRE6BJ5OL20101220

IRAQ IRELAND IREPORT IRVING KRISTOL

Judge Declares Federal Healthcare Plan (Partly) Unconstitutional

healeyb writes "In a surprise move, US District Judge Henry E. Hudson issued a ruling today that the universal healthcare law that was pushed through by the Obama administration is unconstitutional. Specifically, he invalidated the section of the law that requires all citizens to purchase healthcare insurance, arguing that it does not fall under the purview of Commerce Clause of the Constitution, as has been asserted by the government. The ruling represents the first major setback for President Barack Obama on an issue that will likely end up at the Supreme Court. Two other courts have shot down challenges to the law."

Quote of the Day

"We take turns sleeping."

-- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, quoted by the New York Times, when asked during his annual telethon who runs the country when he and President Dmitri Medvedev are sleeping.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PoliticalWire/~3/_OJDnFeB4dQ/quote_of_the_day.html

IDAHO ILLINOIS IMMIGRATION IN

Paul says he won't subpoena Fed, immediately

Republican Congressman Ron Paul, the new head of the subcommittee that oversees the Federal Reserve, said on Sunday he will seek greater transparency.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40739907/ns/business/

JAMES CARVILLE JAMES CLAPPER JAMES CLYBURN JAMES DOBSON