“groovy mother...”

NPR piece on Mike Capuano, my old House representative in Somerville, running for Ted Kennedy’s senate seat. MA residents: Please give him your consideration. “He’s not afraid of being seen as a Washington insider. In fact, he tells the crowd of about 70 people, that’s exactly what they should be looking for in a senator.”

Back catalogue of Mike Capuano’s e-update newsletters. Incredibly open, especially in comparison to the PR dreck I get from my current representative, Nancy Pelosi.

This makes me very happy. Mike Capuano was my representative when I lived in Somerville, and always impressed me. I still subscribe to his constituent’s email list, where he openly discusses the way he has voted on House issues. I’d encourage any of my friends in MA to seriously consider him if they vote in the Democratic primary.

…to Wolverine or John McCrirrick, you’re wrong. My inspiration is 21st president, Chester A Arthur.

Useful survey of the quality of 3G cell networks in the US. Now you know that when AT&T’s ads say “America’s fastest 3G network”, you can respond under your breath “Yeah, but you only have a 68% chance of connecting”.

ZOMG Moral Panic! The things that have doomed America over the last 40 years.

Now at five stars.

A beautiful essay by a friend about how important same-sex marriage has proven to be when faced with the unexpected death of his husband.

Grisly snippets of 1930’s Detroit newspapers. Disturbingly gripping.

This is exactly my attitude (which I refer to as “left-wing capitalism”). People should be free to earn as much money as they can, but an increasing amount of it should be taxed.

A scorecard for tracking President Obama’s campaign promises. A great idea.

Portraits of Obama’s transition team. Someone should make a map of these portraits to their fictional “The West Wing” counterpart.

Yes, I know it’s still the honeymoon period, and Obama isn’t even president yet, but still… His appointment of a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who has been researching renewable energy to the post of Secretary of Energy is such a great sign. Really excited for the next four years.

Remoulding the US electoral map based upon population, rather than geographic, size.

#44!

A genuinely gracious and powerful speech. “I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.”

“Yes”

Delightfully complete coverage of the last twelve months.

How the electoral college of “the world” would vote. Unlike most of the other online polls, this at least has an ounce of statistical rigour to it. Also interesting: Which countries think the US presidential choice will have an effect on them.