Justin Green

Political Theory and Punditry from a native of Flyover Country

How I Came to Love My Little Country Hometown

I fondly tell people I meet about the corn, farms, small town life, the sneaking around to drink beer, enjoying the occasional dip of chewing tobacco, and other fine things that come with being a teenage boy. But, if I’m honest with myself, that’s not the truth.

I hated growing up in my small town in south-central Nebraska.

I hated the small talk, the old ladies asking about my great-uncles who I didn’t even know very well, the odd town traditions I didn’t fully understand, and the general lack of cosmopolitanism.

I hated the oppressive social climate, the ostracism, the lack of privacy, the way bookish kids like me were gently laughed at and considered weird, and I hated the corn.

Yes, I hated that damn corn, and what it represented to our town.

I hated that as an able-bodied male, I was expected to go out for football, basketball, and track. I hated that the expectation was for me to explain why I didn’t want to participate in an activity, rather than why I should be allowed entry into a club or team.

I hated that people were quick to ask “what’s wrong?” when I just wanted to be left alone. I hated that the town response to tragedy and suffering was to suffocate the afflicted family with attention. And I hated the idea that my business was everyone’s business, and everyone’s business my business.

- From an essay of mine at The Daily Beast

When someone accuses Matt Drudge of carrying water for Obama, they might be too far to the crazy.

We are not saying stop free speech. We are staying stop hate speech. …You have to see that there is a provocation. You should understand the psychology of people who revere their prophet and don’t want people to insult him.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation • Advocating for a global ban on denigrating the character of the Islamic faith’s prophet, Muhammad. This is a red-hot issue, as it was six years ago, when a series of Danish cartoons mocking Muhammad sparked worldwide protests and riots, seeing the assault and burning of multiple Danish embassies. The distinction between “hate speech” and “free speech” seems to be a sticking point, here — one which may illicit very different answers from different people, especially across the religious/secular divide. What do you think? source (via shortformblog)

Ya, no thanks. Screw yourselves, Islamists. (We know you enjoy it!)

Standard Saturday morning trolling.

statehate:

personally I find my self-absorption rather endearing

If you’re not cool enough to be self-absorbed, you’re boring.

Tumblr Crushes:

Highly scientific.

On Whether or Not Netanyahu is Clever

squashed:

On the world stage, the United States is a bit like the popular guy who, love him or hate him, the whole school aligns themselves in relation to. Israel is a bit like the popular guy’s troubled friend who most people try to get along with a bit because the U.S. will take it personally if they don’t.

Or, to put it slightly differently, Israel is an important regional ally to the United States. The United States is the critical ally of Israel. And if Israel does something to seriously tick of a large or influential portion of the U.S., Israel is in serious trouble.

Now the U.S. is having a hugely contested election. Netanyahu apparently decides that this is a good time to start criticizing the Obama administration. The Romney campaign runs with it, as Netanyahu knew it would. So now Israel is tampering with—and taking sides—in a U.S. election.

It should go without saying that our election is none of Israel’s business and Israel should butt out of this one. But that’s not the part that makes me question Netanyahu’s intelligence. It’s that he seems to have tied himself to the Romney campaign.

Why in the world would you put a high stakes bet on that horse?

Lol, Squashed.

The key isn’t to win. It’s to push US policy on Israel to the right, and that’s been accomplished by allying with Romney.

shiracoffee:

I have since learned that potting soil contains up to 85% peat moss, which is a great humidifier when wet, but burns very well when dry. It is possible that the smoldering started all on its own a day or two before the fire actually broke out. Since the fire, I have heard of other peat moss / potting soil fires - which all started spontaneously. These products should come with warning labels on them, informing consumers the of danger of letting the soil and, or peat moss dry out. Also, when the city issues extreme weather alerts - the same warning should also be included.

Just another “potting soil catches fire all by itself” story!

The Brits have used peat for kindling for centuries. How could anyone be surprised by this?

(Source: wateringgoodseeds)

No words…

theamericanprospect:

Dos Equis. The most interesting and nonpartisan beer in the world.

If by interesting, you mean ill-informed, then sure.