Geeky Chic

Two links to media critiques: (1) Kristoff complaining
about how Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt receive more attention than the
genocide in Darfur; and (2) it’s not available online yet, but in next
month’s Harper’s Magazine Mark Crispin Miller asks why did the media ignore the Ohio voting irregularities story.  The report from the House Committee Democrats
is pretty damning.   Perhaps those who claimed that Ohio was
“stolen” in November 2004 weren’t whiney conspiracy wackos afterall?

**

I am still marvelled by my transformation. In 2000, I voted for Nader,
the original consumer rights’ advocate, and now I find myself annoyed
by the whole class action litigation industry.  I view them as
sleezy, Consumer Reports-reading ambulance chasers.

**

Edit: I just consulted mon pere about my upcoming Galapagos trip (he
lived in Ecuador for a while with his second wife).  He warned me
about the flight between Guayaquil and Quito (frequent crashes due to
the mountainous terrain around Quito — couples fly in different planes).  Now, I have visions of a
crash in the Andes, followed by chaos and cannibalism.  Hm, I
don’t know if my lack of meat would be helpful or dooming in that
situation.