Nothing in modern times has symbolized the scourge of racism--and the potential for overcoming it--more than South Africa's recent history.
William Kristol claims that Senator Jesse Helms's departure at the end of his term represents "the end of an era." We can only hope. Helms has championed an odious brand of conservatism that combines segregationist and antigay sentiments, contempt for the United Nations and a know-nothing attitude toward culture. His office once told Loudon Wainwright III, composer of "Jesse Don't Like It," that "if it weren't for people like you left-wing, communist, radical, weirdo types, Senator Helms would not have won." Not by much, though. And now it's increasingly Jesse's voters who are the radical weirdos.
I probably should listen to Rush Limbaugh, but I don't. The way I figure it, I did my time while researching my book Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot.
The brother of the Sultan of Brunei
Set out to see how much a guy could buy,
And fifteen billion's what he finally spent
Before the sultan voiced some discontent.
The guilt of many shoppers was assuaged.
The most committed shopaholic gauged,
"I'd really have to spend a lot more dough
To be a spendthrift like the sultan's bro."
Finally, President Bush is "deeply worried" about the economy. Yep, in remarks last week, he even went so far as to observe that "the recovery is very slow in coming."
Are we all dimwits? We just sit there with goofy looks on our faces while the economy sputters and the President blows what remains of the budget surplus on a tax giveaway to the rich.