Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Say "Stoic"
Look at these portraits of our Founding Fathers.
George Washington:
John Adams:
Thomas Jefferson:
James Madison:
Alexander Hamilton:
Ben Franklin:
(Okay fine) Aaron Burr:
Now look back at John Adams.
Notice anything different/special about his portrait? These men knew they were making history while they were alive, and pretty early on got ready for history to look back at them. They knew what they were doing. They knew we'd know them, and they wanted us to look kindly not only at them but on their cause, and their view of what the American Revolution really meant. They kept records of what they did. They kept all correspondences (and were often writing to us just as much as they were writing to each other). They also posed often for portraits. John Adams stands out in this area, because he could never stand to hold the same pose for very long at all. Everyone else has the same stoic, noble, courageous look on their face, but Adams looks hilarious, not being able to sit still (with that absurd expression) for a very long time at all. What a funny guy.
I know. I'm a geek.
Chice
George Washington:
John Adams:
Thomas Jefferson:
James Madison:
Alexander Hamilton:
Ben Franklin:
(Okay fine) Aaron Burr:
Now look back at John Adams.
Notice anything different/special about his portrait? These men knew they were making history while they were alive, and pretty early on got ready for history to look back at them. They knew what they were doing. They knew we'd know them, and they wanted us to look kindly not only at them but on their cause, and their view of what the American Revolution really meant. They kept records of what they did. They kept all correspondences (and were often writing to us just as much as they were writing to each other). They also posed often for portraits. John Adams stands out in this area, because he could never stand to hold the same pose for very long at all. Everyone else has the same stoic, noble, courageous look on their face, but Adams looks hilarious, not being able to sit still (with that absurd expression) for a very long time at all. What a funny guy.
I know. I'm a geek.
Chice
Sunday, May 25, 2008
3 Cases! Christmas Come Early!
Three huge cases came down last Monday at the Court, but I was so busy with the show that I didn't even post anything about them. I wonder if I'll get a chance to read them anytime soon...
Anyway, here's an updated list for the 20 best cases this term, with the new cases in bold. One of them is a major speech case (United States v. Williams) involving Child Pornography. Gruesome, but really interesting. Check that shit out!
Argued
3. Boumediene v. Bush
5. Cuellar v. United States
6. Davis v. Federal Election Commission
7. District of Columbia v. Heller
8. Giles v. California
9. Indiana v. Edwards
10. Kennedy v. Louisiana
13. Munaf v. Geren
15. Plains Commerce Bank v. Long Family Land & Cattle
19. Washington State Grange v. Washington State Republican Party
Decided
1. Baze v. Rees
2. Begay v. United States
4. Crawford v. Marion County Election Board
11. Kimbrough v. United States
12. Medellin v. Texas
14. New York State Board of Elections v. Lopez Torres
16. United States v. Ressam
17. United States v. Rodriquez
18. United States v. Williams
20. Watson v. United States
Anyway, here's an updated list for the 20 best cases this term, with the new cases in bold. One of them is a major speech case (United States v. Williams) involving Child Pornography. Gruesome, but really interesting. Check that shit out!
Argued
3. Boumediene v. Bush
5. Cuellar v. United States
6. Davis v. Federal Election Commission
7. District of Columbia v. Heller
8. Giles v. California
9. Indiana v. Edwards
10. Kennedy v. Louisiana
13. Munaf v. Geren
15. Plains Commerce Bank v. Long Family Land & Cattle
19. Washington State Grange v. Washington State Republican Party
Decided
1. Baze v. Rees
2. Begay v. United States
4. Crawford v. Marion County Election Board
11. Kimbrough v. United States
12. Medellin v. Texas
14. New York State Board of Elections v. Lopez Torres
16. United States v. Ressam
17. United States v. Rodriquez
18. United States v. Williams
20. Watson v. United States
Review: American Sphinx
I've recently finished a biography of Thomas Jefferson called American Sphinx, by the excellent Joseph J. Ellis. If I had some sort of strange rating system, it would most definitely get a perfect score. It's accessible, interesting, and I couldn't recommend it more. Be a cool cat and buy this!
Chice
Chice
What A Coincidence
I've always regarded strange coincidences as just that: strange coincidences. There are those who see freak coincidences and see great and fantastic things. Sometimes religious. Sometimes supernatural. They can't explain why a god (or a something?) would make such a thing happen (the classic line that drives me nuts, "God works in mysterious ways"), but they do say something along the lines of "no coincidence could be that big".
Is it true? Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were both on the committee in the Continental Congress in '75/'76 that was given the responsibility of writing the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson wrote it alone (Despite what Adams later tried to claim), but both of these men were involved, and both of these men died on July 4, 1826-the 50th anniversary of the country's "birthday"! If there were ever a huge fucking coincidence in history, it would have to be this one. I ask you, can that be just a coincidence? Even I'm inclined to say no, and I have no patience for that argument. It's too bizarre! Too perfect!
Chice
Is it true? Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were both on the committee in the Continental Congress in '75/'76 that was given the responsibility of writing the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson wrote it alone (Despite what Adams later tried to claim), but both of these men were involved, and both of these men died on July 4, 1826-the 50th anniversary of the country's "birthday"! If there were ever a huge fucking coincidence in history, it would have to be this one. I ask you, can that be just a coincidence? Even I'm inclined to say no, and I have no patience for that argument. It's too bizarre! Too perfect!
Chice
More Funny DS
The Daily Show was off this week, so here are a funny videos I left out last week that will make you smile...
Indecision 2008-West Virginia:
Golf War:
Some Like It Cool:
Chice
Indecision 2008-West Virginia:
Golf War:
Some Like It Cool:
Chice
Thanks, All!
Thank you to everyone who made it to Jonathan's Box over the last week. I couldn't be happier with how everything went. Thanks to all for all the support and nice thoughts throughout the whole process, and over this last week.
Chice
Chice
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Opening Night!
Sorry it's been a few days. I've been crazy busy with tech week for my show.
Which opens TODAY! Tonight at 7:30 at Breck, if you can make it down. There are two shows only and you'll want to come to both of them, so be a cool cat and show up tonight...
Chice
Which opens TODAY! Tonight at 7:30 at Breck, if you can make it down. There are two shows only and you'll want to come to both of them, so be a cool cat and show up tonight...
Chice
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