Riba Rambles:
Musings of a Mental Magpie
Open links in new windows
About the author: Elisabeth in early 2007, photo by Todd Belf
Elisabeth "Lis" Riba is an infovore with an MLS. This is her place to share whatever's on her mind, on topics both personal and political. [more]
Latest posts:
Search archives:
  or
Special collections:
Also by this blogger:
Blogroll:

Blogroll Me!
If you are searching for any of the following names -- Elizabeth Reba, Elizabeth Riba, Elisabeth Reba, Liz Reba, Lis Reba, Liz Riba, Elizabeth Ann Reba, Elizabeth Ann Riba, Elizabeth Anne Reba, Elizabeth Anne Riba, Elisabeth Ann Reba, Elisabeth Ann Riba, or Elisabeth Anne Reba -- welcome to my blog. Here's my homepage.

Comments by: YACCS
This page is powered by Blogger.
 
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Phoning it in
Posted by Lis Riba at 9:34 PM
Anybody know why fireworks are going off over the Charles?
Permanent link Email this post  
Lol!Film
Posted by Lis Riba at 9:20 AM
Jesus Cat loafs and fishesPrinter Cat hatez ur output
Permanent link Email this post  
Friday, March 28, 2008
They don't make bears like they used to
Posted by Lis Riba at 10:04 PM

Two few years ago, a 15-pound orange tabby treed a bear and the incident quickly made headlines.

Amusing, but not overly farfetched. After all, "Jack" was a fully-grown adult tom.

Today's tale is more difficult to rationalize:

200-Pound Bear Chased Up Home's Back Yard Tree By Kittens

APOPKA, Fla. -- A 6-foot, 200-pound bear has been perched high above a Central Florida neighborhood for hours Friday after it was chased up a tree by 6-month-old kittens.

Two kittens, to be precise.

What is the world coming to?

Permanent link Email this post  
Tortured Logic
Posted by Lis Riba at 9:15 PM
Blog Against Torture

Further shredding justifications based upon "hypothetical evil," Robert Farley of Lawyers, Guns and Money provided a real-world historical example in a January entry titled:

     Ticking Time Bombs, Kiefer Sutherland, and Austrian Battleships

[T]he experience on the battleship Viribus Unitis is an almost classic ticking time bomb scenario. Viribus Unitis was the first dreadnought of the Austro-Hungarian Navy. In October 1918 [...] Italy dispatched a pair of young men named Raffaele -- one a Lieutenant Paolucci, and the other a Major Rossetti -- to infiltrate Pula Harbor on a modified torpedo and attach a bomb to the dreadnought's hull. This the Raffaeles succeeded in doing, but they were captured while escaping, and brought on board the Viribus Unitis.

When the Raffaeles were brought on board, they told Admiral Vuckovich (the new commander of the dreadnought) that they had affixed a bomb to the hull and that the ship should be evacuated. This put the admiral in an awkward position. He could evacuate, but that would ensure the loss of the battleship when the mine exploded. The Viribus Unitis class was notorious for its poor underwater protection, making the threat of the bomb particularly potent. [...]

But what of the Raffaeles? The Italian officers had already admitted that a bomb was attached to the hull, and that it would explode in a relatively short period of time. They begged Admiral Vuckovich to be allowed to escape, and he agreed to let them go. However, when they reached the water they were assailed by angry sailors, and then dragged back onto the ship. Fearing prosecution (and potentially execution) for what amounted to a legally questionable attack on what its owners presumed to be a neutral vessel, the Italians demanded to be treated as prisoners of war. Admiral Vuckovich made no determination at the time, but ordered the crew not to harm the Italians. Twenty-five minutes later the bomb exploded. Fifteen minutes after that Viribus Unitis rolled over and sank with 300 men, including Admiral Vuckovich but not including the Raffaeles, who were allowed by Admiral Vuckovich to escape, and who spent about a week as prisoners of war.

Farley concludes the entry with some additional questions about the incident.

I'll give the last word to this classic by Jim Henley:

Old joke: Man asks a woman in a bar, "Would you sleep with me for a million dollars?" Woman allows that, well, for that kind of money, she supposes she would. How about for this shiny new quarter? the man continues. The woman, outraged, demands, "What the hell do you think I am??" "We've already established that," the man replies. "Now we're just haggling over the price."

And that's the function of the "ticking bomb" scenario.

Permanent link Email this post  
Blog Against Torture Day?
Posted by Lis Riba at 8:50 PM
Blog Against Torture

As far as I'm concerned, this is a matter about which there shouldn't be sides.

What's next, Blog Against Genocide?

“Torture is the canary in the coal mine. When your society starts seriously talking about torture, it means you've fucked up and become repressive.”
           -- Leonard Dickens

Pardon the echo, but I've already blogged most of what I want to say on the subject:

This post by Lynn Gazis-Sax knocked my socks off.

If you're given a choice between a real evil and a hypothetical one ...

... always choose the hypothetical.

Many years ago, Joan Baez wrote a terribly funny take on hypotheticals posed to pacifists. It begins with a hypothetical in which she's told she has a gun, and someone is raping her grandmother. She proceeds to tear that hypothetical apart, showing how you can pretty much make a hypothetical go however you please by messing with the assumptions. (But I don't have a gun, I'm a pacifist. Well, say you do. OK, am I a good shot? Yes. I shoot the gun out of his hand. No, you're not a good shot. Can't shoot, might kill grandma.) And then it proceeds through a series of more and more bizarre hypotheticals, set up to make violence the one certain to succeed response, and pacifism the obvious loser. Somewhere along the line, in response to some fairly strained and forced dilemma, Baez makes the remark that someone once said, when choosing between a real and a hypothetical evil, you should always choose the hypothetical. It's a remark that has stayed in my mind ever since, and which comes back with particular force when I hear people yet again offering the "ticking time bomb" justification for torture.

Torture's a real evil. A bomb that's going to destroy New York City if our movie hero of the day doesn't torture the terrorist who knows where it is is a hypothetical evil. Pick the hypothetical evil. Please.

I've somewhat avoided the "debate on torture" because the very notion that the subject requires any debate shows how debased we've become.

Torture is inhumane and should be illegal. In the truly critical situation, a person can weigh the risks, act and submit to judgment later. That's why we have juries, rather than mandatory sentences, to weigh such mitigating circumstances. And that's why the executive has the power to pardon, if the action is truly justified.

Permanent link Email this post  
Gone with the Schwinn?
Posted by Lis Riba at 8:05 PM

Andy Bowers claims this LA video shows "the stupidest bike lane in America."

Now, I know I've heard worse complaints about bike lanes in Boston and Cambridge.

I'm certain some of our local lanes match or surpass the idiocy in this video.

Who wants to start pointing fingers?

I'm interested in reading about them in my comments (or UniversalHub, should they pick up this story). Slate is also accepting submissions @ slatev@slate.com for a probably followup piece.

Permanent link Email this post  
Litmus Test
Posted by Lis Riba at 7:40 PM

Three candidates, two pundits, one issue.

While the pundits seem to agree that McCain is out in right field, they seem to disagree whether the Democrats' public persona is reflected or contradicted by their policy pronouncements.

What do you think?

Ezra Klein:

[T]here's substantial convergence in their policies, but significant divergence in their approaches:

[Hillary Clinton] sells herself as the manager best equipped to deal with crises,

[Barack Obama] puts himself forward as a sort of inspirational leader best suited to changing the culture that abets these abuses.

Both approaches were on clear display this week.

What I didn't mention is the McCain approach: Straight talk from a guy who doesn't know what he's talking about.

Paul Krugman:

All in all, the candidates' positions on the mortgage crisis tell the same tale as their positions on health care: a tale that is seriously at odds with the way they're often portrayed.

Mr. McCain, we're told, is a straight-talking maverick. But on domestic policy, he offers neither straight talk nor originality; instead, he panders shamelessly to right-wing ideologues.

Mrs. Clinton, we're assured by sources right and left, tortures puppies and eats babies. But her policy proposals continue to be surprisingly bold and progressive.

Finally, Mr. Obama is widely portrayed, not least by himself, as a transformational figure who will usher in a new era. But his actual policy proposals, though liberal, tend to be cautious and relatively orthodox.

Do these policy comparisons really tell us what each candidate would be like as president? Not necessarily — but they're the best guide we have.

Hm. It's a floor wax and a dessert topping?

Permanent link Email this post  
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Caption This:
Posted by Lis Riba at 11:30 PM
Wait for it...
 Orca check!
  Lather, rinse, repeat, ad infinitum...
Permanent link Email this post  
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Fork Questions
Posted by Lis Riba at 10:34 PM

Craigie Street Bistrot is one of my favorite restaurants -- simply amazing food.

And we're not alone in thinking this. Boston Magazine's named CSB Best of Boston 2007 Restaurant, General Excellence.

So, imagine my delight upon reading this:

There aren't many things Chef Tony Maws doesn't love about running Craigie Street Bistrot - but one definite downer is that it's kept him away from his family's Passover dinners. This is especially sad because Tony's culinary muse was his Grandmother, Baba Hannah, around whose table the family celebrated - all the while honing their debate skills (as they re-enacted the age-old battle over the best style of matzo ball - chewy and leaden or light and fluffy.) Editors Note: it's the chewy.

Finally this year: a light bulb. Channelling Baba Hannah, on April 20 and 22, Tony will present a traditional Passover Dinner at the Bistrot (in addition to our à la carte menu)! The final menu ($75 for five courses) will be posted shortly, but we can confirm that it includes our twist -- both Sephardic and Ashkenazy -- on such venerated classics as special chicken soup with matzo balls, Kobe beef brisket, lamb, tsimmes, matzoh, haroset, flourless (but still sinful) chocolate dessert. Each table will receive a Passover plate with traditional egg, salt water, parsley, and lamb shank, plus a printed story of Passover. Of course, everything will be prepared with the Bistrot touch and all will served with specially-chosen wines. Tony's Baba Hannah would be proud.

Obviously, they're not kashering the kitchen, meaning the meal will be kosher style, and thus not accessible to many Jews.

But, doesn't that sound delicious?

Permanent link Email this post  
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Rambles Reviews: The Tempest
Posted by Lis Riba at 9:01 PM

In his Director's Notes, Patrick Swanson writes that Prospero "likes stage management."

It is little wonder, then, that he chose to portray the character as a turn-of-the-last-century illusionist in this production of The Tempest.

Alvin Epstein as Prospero; Photo: T. Charles Erickson
Alvin Epstein as Prospero; Photo: T. Charles Erickson

Given the recent popularity of such works as Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, The Illusionist, and The Prestige, the setting is a familiar one. And Actors' Shakespeare Project took full advantage of the opportunities that provided.

This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of Nobody.
Ariel (Marianna Bassham) and Trinculo (John Kuntz); Photo: T. Charles Erickson
Ariel (Marianna Bassham) and Trinculo (John Kuntz)

When Prospero bids Miranda to remember their arrival on the island, it's played like an act of mesmerism. Prospero even speaks through her several times.

Ariel, that "tricksy spirit" of the play, appears as a magician's assistant who is clearly ready for top-billing. Dressed in a Zatanna-like costume, Marianna Bassham was a joy to watch as she plays Ariel's many parts. She even showed herself a dab hand at slapstick when forcing Ferdinand to labour.

John Kuntz played Trinculo as a literal clown, but Robert Walsh -- better known in ASP for his dramatic roles -- makes an incredibly entertaining drunk.

The music hall motif extended into a spot of panto in the presentation of the masque of goddesses.

Even the sound effects were designed to preserve the period feel, including a hurdy gurdy and musical glasses.

The concept should've worked -- I wanted to like it and there is a lot to like -- but it just never gelled for me.

Many scenes left me feeling somehow empty, and the story didn't seem to cohere. [Although some of that may be inherent in the structure of Shakespeare's script.]

Alvin Epstein looked magnificent; the outfit resembled Doctor Who. Unfortunately, seeing the veteran actor flub a few lines reminded me more of a re-enactment of the last season of Slings & Arrows.

Now, maybe this is mostly me. I have been busy of late and may not have been in the right mindset to appreciate this play.

Perhaps, as Ariel said, "if you now beheld them, your affections would become tender."

But these pleasures did not move me. The banquet I was presented with felt like empty calories -- little more than an enchanted trifle.

The Tempest
     directed by Patrick Swanson for Actors' Shakespeare Project

Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center 41 Second Street, Cambridge (Directions & Parking)

Thursdays -- Sundays through April 13th (Calendar)
 Runs approximately 3 hours, including one 15-minute intermission.

Permanent link Email this post  
Welcome to "Smart People On Parquet!"
Posted by Lis Riba at 6:45 PM

Take 13 minutes and listen to this segment from Only A Game:

Audio for http://www.bu.edu/wbur/storage/2008/03/onlyagame_0322_4.mp3

In it, Bill Littlefield talks with the director of Quantum Hoops, a new documentary about CalTech's basketball team -- following their 2006 season and their quest to end a 21-year, 240-game losing streak.

The filmmaker describes how the team had been improving over the previous few years, having improved from average losses of 60 points-per-game to gaps of merely 20 points average.

Sounds like they make quite an entertaining and gripping story out of it.

[I'm sure some of you follow the CalTech Beavers, and, as the radio host and filmmaker point out, it's easy to lookup their actual record on the web. But this is new to me, and I'd like to preserve the surprise until I see the film. Please don't "spoil" the team's record in comments. Thanks.]

Opens Friday in Boston for a one-week engagement.
Oh, look! Director Rick Greenwald & Caltech Head Coach Roy Dow In Person @ the Kendall Square Cinema: Sat, March 29 at 4:30 & 7:00pm!

Anybody else interested in going?

PS: In case of javascript errors, the segment can be heard about midway down this page.

Permanent link Email this post  
The Greatest Fact in Modern History
Posted by Lis Riba at 12:10 AM

Mcintyre and Moore Books is closing their doors in Davis Square (exact end-date uncertain; it was to have been Thursday, but they keep trying to squeeze in a few more days of sales).

They plan on moving to Porter Square, but to save on moving costs, have been holding a massive in-store sale.

Ian and I finally dropped in last Sunday, when used books were 50% off their usual low prices.

'The Greatest Fact in Modern History' by Whitelaw Reid

And, because I can never remember which books we actually have in the house, here's the list of what I bought:

[Now, I just have to decide which among these to read first...]

I also bought the book pictured to the right.

It's a 40-page hardcover quarto from 1907, and cost me $2. But how can anyone resist that title?

I now have The Greatest Fact in Modern History in my personal library.

How many other people can make that claim?

Permanent link Email this post  

TOP

 

Copyright © 2002 - 2007 Elisabeth Riba,
All Rights Reserved