The major question is whether this is merely a tactical move: Austria’s Haider Resigns; Opponents Skeptical

‘Asked if he still hoped to be chancellor one day, he replied: “I do not exclude it.”

In Austria, Die Presse newspaper said Haider’s decision was a shrewd move to distance himself from

unpopular government decisions such as planned tax increases and to position himself for the next election,

due within four years.

The opposition Social Democrats dismissed the resignation as a sham. “It is quite clear that Haider is only

giving up his office but will continue to set the tone,” said new Social Democratic leader Alfred

Gusenbauer.

“He sees that this government is unpopular so he seeks the first opportunity to ditch responsibility,

formally, to distance himself from this government. Everything that has been said indicates he will continue

to keep the party on a short leash.”‘

The major question is whether this is merely a tactical move: Austria’s Haider Resigns; Opponents Skeptical

‘Asked if he still hoped to be chancellor one day, he replied: “I do not exclude it.”

In Austria, Die Presse newspaper said Haider’s decision was a shrewd move to distance himself from

unpopular government decisions such as planned tax increases and to position himself for the next election,

due within four years.

The opposition Social Democrats dismissed the resignation as a sham. “It is quite clear that Haider is only

giving up his office but will continue to set the tone,” said new Social Democratic leader Alfred

Gusenbauer.

“He sees that this government is unpopular so he seeks the first opportunity to ditch responsibility,

formally, to distance himself from this government. Everything that has been said indicates he will continue

to keep the party on a short leash.”‘

UPDATE! Tentative publication date for the fourth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Doomspell Tournament, is set. My son and I spent several months of bedtimes reading the first three aloud together. Haven’t you got someone with whom you might be doing that?

Newest issue of Phil Agre’s occasional notes and recommendations from the Red Rock Eater news service:

“In talking to all these people, I was endlessly struck by the chasm

between the telephone world and the computer world. Everyone in the

telephone world had superficial training and good manners; everyone

in the computer world had deep training and a bracing arrogance.

And with the sole exception of the one technical guy in the bowels

of Sprint, neither side exhibited the slightest comprehension of its

connection to the other. Hey, everyone: the telephone world and the

computer world are merging! This merger, it would seem, is not just

a technical matter.”

From Medley: “One of Queen Elizabeth’s cooks was fired for making remarks about poisoning

her and wondering where to buy cyanide.” And I read somewhere today that, when the police came to help the Queen remove her personal effects from the Palace during that fire several years ago, she found one of them standing before an open dresser drawer in her personal bedchamber about ready to knick some of her knickers until he was aware of her standing there watching him.

Boy Bands and Girl Vixens – All you need to know about the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears.  by David Plotz [Slate]

Random Access Memory: “an experiment in collective recollection.”

From Atlantic Unbound: Welcome to the Word Police Academy “The Word Police are looking for a few good people. As a

certified Word Police officer, you will be entitled to issue

Grammar Citations when you see or hear crimes against

the language. To be inducted into the force, you must

pass a Word Police Academy exam.

The Word Police Force has many divisions and squads.

The current entrance exam is for the Pronoun Patrol.

Coming soon: the entrance exam for Who Wants to

Marry a Word Police Officer? Just kidding!” [I passed the exam, despite any grammatical errors your finding in this blog…]

Eugenics Archive: “materials from the

Eugenics Record Office at Cold Spring Harbor, which was

the center of American eugenics research from 1910-1940.

In the Archive you will see numerous reports, articles,

charts, and pedigrees that were considered scientific

“facts” in their day. It is important to remind yourself that

the vast majority of eugenics work has been completely

discredited. In the final analysis, the eugenic description of

human life reflected political and social prejudices, rather

than scientific facts.”

UPDATE! Tentative publication date for the fourth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Doomspell Tournament, is set. My son and I spent several months of bedtimes reading the first three aloud together. Haven’t you got someone with whom you might be doing that?

Newest issue of Phil Agre’s occasional notes and recommendations from the Red Rock Eater news service:

“In talking to all these people, I was endlessly struck by the chasm

between the telephone world and the computer world. Everyone in the

telephone world had superficial training and good manners; everyone

in the computer world had deep training and a bracing arrogance.

And with the sole exception of the one technical guy in the bowels

of Sprint, neither side exhibited the slightest comprehension of its

connection to the other. Hey, everyone: the telephone world and the

computer world are merging! This merger, it would seem, is not just

a technical matter.”

From Medley: “One of Queen Elizabeth’s cooks was fired for making remarks about poisoning

her and wondering where to buy cyanide.” And I read somewhere today that, when the police came to help the Queen remove her personal effects from the Palace during that fire several years ago, she found one of them standing before an open dresser drawer in her personal bedchamber about ready to knick some of her knickers until he was aware of her standing there watching him.