Did You Know...?

That semi-rigid/non-rigid airships became known as "blimps" due to the noise emanated when one stuck one's finger into the vessel's shell? It's true.

So that's how they came up with "beer gut" - don't try this at home, folks.

Hat tip - Samizdata (naturally).

The Virtues Of Small Government 101

Got a government-loving leftist/rightist chum? Show them this. Sure, it's old, but haven't the ensuing years borne out Professor Friedman's words with exemplary precision?



I disagree with him on one tangential point - he describes the forces that created the behemoth government models we know today as an intellectual movement primarily originating from Britain "and elsewhere". I believe this to be incorrect - the movement forwarding state economic planning, social coercion and consequently big government emanated from Germany; Otto von Bismarck being its most famous and effective political champion. British liberalism was abandoned in the face of this supposedly more "efficient" model of economic planning, to disastrous effect.

Light Blogging Redux

Okay, I have returned. However, it's assignment season, and this is about the only time I do any damn work throughout the entire semester.

God, it'll be great when this charade is finally over in a month or so.

Light Blogging

I am housesitting a non-internetted abode until next Tuesday. You are hereby granted a temporary reprieve from my feeble output. You lucky things.

Socialism's Irony

Via the excellent India Uncut, I reproduce this shortest - and most revealing - of short stories in its entirety:

Socialism (by Saadat Hasan Manto)

He loaded all his belongings onto a truck and was driving to another town when he was waylaid by a mob. Eyeing the goods greedily, one man said to the other, 'Just look at all that booty he is decamping with.' The owner smiled proudly, 'What you see here is my personal property.'

Some of the men laughed. 'We know.'

There was a yell from the mob, 'Don't let this capitalist get away. He is nothing but a robber with a truck.'

It is a partition-era tale, but still remarkably relevant today - it has been institutionalised and multiplied across society.

*speechless*

(Actually, got this one from Manolo, too. He finds all the best YouTube vids)

Political Swooning

Granted, these days the United States of America has saddled itself with a big ol' government fat enough to set the Founding Fathers spinning in their graves. However, the USA's genesis was so well-considered - such a precise ideological crystal - that it gave rise to the mightiest of nations; enormously prosperous even in the face of the myriad of bureaucratic hindrances witnessed today. I love to reacquaint myself with aspects of this universal, timeless and (in my opinion) optimal design of a nation - the Minutemen inspired this post. Such history is criminally superseded by modern reality, but it nevertheless provides something to work towards.

There is so much in the USA's formative years that is inspirational.

Want To Know What I Look Like?

No? Tough!

Deer in the headlights.

(Disclosure: I airbrushed a zit)

My Lovely Horse, I Want To Hold You So Tight, I Want To Rub My Fingers Through Your Tail, And Love You All Night

One of the few comedy series from the 1990s that could make me cry with laughter was Father Ted. However, the 1990s are a distant memory and the sad fact is that as time passes, one forgets the humorous details of such an old production and the whole series indiscriminately gets filed in the "One I'll Be Sure To Tape If They Ever Repeat It At 2am On A Tuesday" mental pigeon-hole. However, thanks to those sporting folk at YouTube, My Lovely Horse rides again! Be sure to watch to the end to see their music video clip.



(Via Manolo)

Parklife

Today, I'm going to this. Should be a blast.

It Could Be Worse

At least our politicians aren't pulling craven stunts like the posturing family man David "Dave" Cameron, UK Tory leader. Check out Dave's oh-so-unscripted introductory webcam video; squawking kids, doing the dishes, messy house, talking wank - he's just an ordinary guy!

What a complete pillock.

(Via Samizdata)