Tony posted an interesting comment in response to my post yesterday. While I had said that Sarah Palin was a totally uninteresting pick, Tony disagreed. He said that in fact Palin was a very interesting choice, as she was completely unknown. McCain has taken a huge risk in selecting her to be […]
John McCain has chosen a running mate. He picked an ideal time, right after Barack Obama had accepted the nomination. Oh, McCain - truly a different kind of politics. In times past, candidates would lay low while their opponent had their conventions. You’re shaking things up by not following that arcane […]
I’m reading an interesting book: Piety and Politics by the Reverend Barry W. Lynn. Basically, it offers a pro-separation of church and state argument, while criticizing the ring-wing idiots who would try to change that. The fact that it’s by a man of the cloth only helps the cause. But as […]
I went down to campus today for a meeting of Communication Arts incoming graduate students. Our heads were filled with important information about how the department works, et cetera. Afterwards, I was able to pick up my office assignment and two keys - one for my mailbox, one for my office room (the […]
The Democratic Convention begins today in Denver, CO. It’s an exciting time, both for Democrats and for politics in general. We get to see the party put on a carefully crafted 4 day show. It’s like Washington D.C.’s answer to New York’s Broadway. We’ll get fiery speeches, and a chance to […]
Wrapping up our series, What Is A Cult?, we arrive to the end of the chapter from Anthony Pratkanis’ and Elliot Aronson’s book “Age of Propaganda”. The authors advise us to take note of the propaganda present in our own lives.
From the book:
It may be useful to reread this discussion and, instead […]
As we continue our series, What Is A Cult?, we move on through the chapter on becoming a cult leader, from Anthony Pratkanis’ and Elliot Aronson’s book “Age of Propaganda”. After describing, in general terms, what is a cult, Pratkanis and Aronson go on to give step-by-step instruction for how to create a cult. […]
I’ve been in the hunt for a professional website address for sometime now. As Michael Braun is a very common name (both here in the US and in German speaking countries), it’s nearly impossible to find something good. MichaelBraun.anything seemed to be taken. I was considering options like mtbraun.com, themichaelbraun.com, or braun-michael.com. […]
As we continue our series, What Is A Cult?, we move on through the chapter on becoming a cult leader, from Anthony Pratkanis’ and Elliot Aronson’s book “Age of Propaganda”. After describing, in general terms, what is a cult, Pratkanis and Aronson go on to give step-by-step instruction for how to create a cult. […]
Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold has endorsed Wisconsin 86th Assembly District Candidate Nate Myszka!
Here’s the press release!
August 19, 2008 (Weston, Wisconsin) – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced today that he has endorsed Nate Myszka in the 86th Assembly District.
“It’s clear we need a change in the State Assembly, and that’s why I’m supporting Nate […]
At my previous employer, a lot of terms were thrown around to describe the employees. We often joked about “not drinking the Kool-Aid”. And there were fairly open discussions about others deeming the company a cult. At the time, I didn’t think much about it. After all, it’s a business; what […]
First, today was the first day I took the bus from my apartment down to campus. What a thrill! Other than the fact that they don’t give change, the ride was entirely pleasant. I read for most of it and was pleased by how fast the time passed. Before you knew […]
Having two months off from working and waiting to return to school has been quite a blessing. It’s given me a lot of time to work on various creative projects (this blog included). I’ve been able to exercise with more frequency and start lifting weights in earnest. I can now bench press […]
This idea is free for the taking. It’s so bad that it’s assured to be a big success.
A man has two personalities. He is not aware of this. One personality works for Spy Agency A, the other for Spy Agency B. Both agencies assign the man to assassinate his other personality […]
John McCain has a new ad in which he calls himself a maverick. What a maverick thing to do. McCain is trying to play all sides of his image. He wants to be everything to everybody. Worried about his appointments to the Supreme Court? If you are a conservative, he […]