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Friday, January 24, 2003 And a Bunch of Stuff That Doesn’t A HORSE IS A HORSE: I’m so glad Media Whores Online is back. HE WAS A MERE ANAL CYST THEN: It wasn’t so very long ago that I found myself asking a colleague, “Who’s Rush Limbaugh?” Ah, those were the days. Before it was discovered he needed prescription drug rehab for popping pills more than he was popping off at the mouth. TOADIES HERE, TOADIES THERE: It seems Bush Toadies aren’t restricted to the Washington Post and No. 10 Downing Street. Canberra has its own. [Thanks to faithful reader H.F. for this one.] CHEERLEAD THIS: The money quotes -- God, I hate that phrase -- from Nicholas Kristof (“A Boy and His Benefits”): Instead of mocking Mr. Bush for hypocrisy, though, we should focus on something else: The affirmative action succeeded. If [sic] he was in part a diversity candidate, so what? He flourished at Andover, and classmates remember that he enlivened the academy by teaching them about drawls, scorpions[,] and exuberance. Eventually he returned to his roots, cross-fertilizing both New England and west Texas.I wonder how many middle-aged Andover graduates are looking back fondly upon those days of old, when they first learned of Texas accents, arthropods, and the best way to go all rah-rah and stuff. And “cross-fertilizing.” I suppose that’s as good a term as any to explain the President’s life post-Andover. There’s more: A few years later, in gaining admission to Yale, Mr. Bush also enjoyed special preferences. He had never made honor roll at Andover (unlike 110 others in his class, according to his high school yearbook), and his SAT’s of 566 verbal and 640 math were far below the median scores for students in his Yale class: 668 verbal and 718 math. But in the end, having a Yale pedigree, a grandfather on the Yale board and a Texas background bounced him into the entering class.Wait a second. I thought you said Bush “flourished at Andover.” Now you say he “never made honor roll”? From Merriam-Webster: “flour-ish vi: 1 thrive, prosper; 2 to be in a state of activity or production; 3 to reach a height of development or influence; 4 to make bold and sweeping gestures; 5 brandish.” I guess Kristof is relying on entry number four, what with the cheerleading and all. TAKE A POWDER: Even when she’s not writing about politics, foreign policy, or blogging Norah Vincent hasn’t got a clue. Here’s a tip, Norah: If your anti-depressant is causing you to pick fights, proposition strangers, betray friends, lie to your family, steal, cheat, or engage in road rage, you’re taking the wrong pill. And you switching anti-depressants is far better than you discouraging people who need such medications from getting the help they so desperately need. By the way, next time you’re in Philadelphia, the drinks are on me. And invite Lisa, too. She sounds like a blast. NEW TIMES: In These Times has redesigned its web site. Hopefully the magazine itself is next. WHO VOTED FOR THIS GUY?: Here’s Sen. Rick “Dork” Santorum (R-Pa.) almost -- almost -- calling Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) a traitor. THE SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS: Slaughtering sea lions. That’s just lovely. I contacted the Humane Society and have been assured the right people already are on this. GIMME, GIMME, GIMME: I see New York has its hand out again. That on the very same day we learn New York City Comptroller Alan Hevesi estimated year-end Wall Street bonuses -- normally paid in January -- at $7.9 billion -- down from $12.6 billion in 2001 (paid in January 2002 and thus subject to taxes due April 15, 2003). The Rittenhouse Review | Copyright 2002-2006 | PERMALINK | |
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