Riba Rambles:
Musings of a Mental Magpie

Posted by Lis Riba at 12:20 PM

You know, I've been reading the Daily Howler exposes on Ann Coulter this week and continue to be appalled that someone who makes such unsupported claims continues to hold a place in political discourse.

As I understand it, she initially gained recognition by being young, female and willing to speak out against Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Well, I'm female, photogenic, intelligent, articulate and currently unemployed. I'm also an opinionated infovore, preferring to substantiate my opinions with research.

I don't know how well I'd do in the shoutfests that seem to substitute for televised political discourse nowadays, but if anyone is interested in an anti-Ann pundit, I can put together a portfolio...

Added August 1st:

Now that the week of stories has concluded, I can provide direct links to the Daily Howler stories about Ann Coulter:

1. The NYT praised Coulter’s footnotes. It should have looked a few up.
2. Coulter dissembles right to the end. Check out her final presentation.
3. Barnicle asked the perfect question when he interviewed Coulter. (Yes, Barnicle may have actually done something good)
4. A nasty book which defies belief makes us ask if we have any standards.
5. Coulter’s book is a fake and a fraud. Do timorous scribes dare to tell?

Posted by Lis Riba at 9:29 PM

Oy

The last day of class is one week away, August 1st, and I have got a ton of homework to do before then. This weekend, I'm going on a trip with Ian's family to the Balsams, a resort in New Hampshire. They booked this vacation months ago, before I lost my job or planned on taking classes. I'm glad my laptop is functional, because it's going to be a working holiday all the way.

I've already decided that after I finally turn everything in, I'm going to treat myself to some inexpensive reward. Besides catching up on several library books that I've been deferring, I think I'm going to buy myself this t-shirt, because I love the logo and gosh darn it, I deserve it!

I'd like to write something pithy about the current economic and political situation, but I just don't have the energy. If you're interested, read Talking Points -- he's made some good points in the past week. Oh, and demonstrating just how clueless the current administration is, Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill said "I'm constantly amazed that anybody cares what I do." [New York Times]

Ah well, back to the grind...

Posted by Lis Riba at 2:41 PM

Followups to two previous postings:

Okay, it seems I have to let Barnicle off the hook for this one.

Mike Barnicle referred to a Boston Braves player as "Uncle George." Boston Globe reporters contacted the pitcher's son. While he was unsure of their exact blood relationship, he always called Mike his cousin, so it's entirely reasonable that Mike Barnicle grew up thinking of the former pitcher as Uncle George and continues to refer to him as such.

I also mentioned spotting an actor who resembled one of the characters in A Distant soil.

Well, I posted about him to the Distant Soil bulletin board and Colleen Doran agreed with me:

Oh my dear God, that is an impressive looking fellow. And yes, he does look like our boy, Rieken. Someone call Central Casting!!! colleen link

I guess I was right on the money. [You can see the photo here.] Now if only someone actually would make a Distant Soil movie...

Posted by Lis Riba at 9:55 AM

Okay, this cartoon really seems to capture my situation.

The last day I can exercise my IBM stock options is rapidly approaching, yet the stock price has stubbornly remained lower than my strike price since I was laid off. Barring a miracle in the next several days, I can kiss that benefit goodbye.

Oh well. Easy come, easy go...

Posted by Lis Riba at 6:45 PM

A few weeks ago (shortly before my computer went blooey) a friend and I had a phone conversation where we tried to sort historical figures into houses at Hogwarts (from the Harry Potter books). It's rather long, and probably only of interest to those who are Harry Potter fans, so those who want can read the essay here.

If you wish to dispute any of these rankings, or add any other figures whom I've neglected, please post them in the comments section. Thanks!

Posted by Lis Riba at 8:30 AM

Today's news:

You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Mike Barnicle has just invented an uncle for a recent column. I wrote about Barnicle's habit of fabrication back when it was newsworthy. See this timeline I compiled.