November 13, 2005

Half-Cocked: Nader

http://blawgcoop.com/half-cocked/archives/2005/11/nader.html Ouch. But I agree -- Nader's trashing his legacy. He should just retire and make inspiring speeches to future radical lawyers.

Posted by mowabb at 01:15 PM

August 29, 2005

Centinel: I am afraid we are not rid of God because we still have faith in grammar.

http://centinel.blogspot.com/2005/08/i-am-afraid-we-are-not-rid-of-god.html I used to teach grammar but I know nothing. I pity my former students. But my girlfriend, who also used to teach grammar and is now an editor so should know these things, says that it just depends on what style you're following. Chicago style uses the 's (e.g., Charles's) except for a few exceptions like Jesus (which would only have the apostrophe); however, AP style just uses the apostrophe (Charles') for basically all proper nouns. For regular nouns both styles use apostrophe-only (the houses' front yards). The same is true for the comma question. One style book will tell you to do the string commas or whatever they're called, another won't. Safire (and others much more knowledgeable) was right that grammar is defined by usage, rather than the other way around. That means grammar is controlled by the 800-lb gorilla -- whomever is going to judge your writing will determine what is right, so your best bet is to learn what that person likes and stick with it. Comfortingly unceertain, isn't it?

Posted by mowabb at 09:11 PM

May 08, 2005

DCJohn Flickr page: running with it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcjohn/3492422/?#comment3447479 I find again and again that my favorite shots are the ones I thought were more or less throwaways when I was taking them. If I intentionally try to “capture” something or take a certain shot, it's generally disappointinng or just plain crap. If I just snap off a pic w/out thinking too much about it, I almost think odds are better I'm going to like it. For me this has a lot to do w/being a rank amateur. For people who know what they're doing, I'm thinking intention can be more useful.

Posted by mowabb at 07:27 AM

April 19, 2005

The Neutral Zone Trap: Oh.My.God.

http://emcpan.blogspot.com/2005_04_01_emcpan_archive.html#111360068629848467 Is your middle name really Laramie? If so, that is so cool. If not, I never believed you anyway. ;-)

Posted by mowabb at 10:58 PM

Preaching to the Perverted: Free Government Ringtones!

http://www.gulbransen.net/preaching/archives/2005/04/free_government.html I do not even know how to respond to that. What kid is going to put a “smoking dope is so bad for you!” quiz up on his/her website? Wait. A majority of today's teens think the 1st Amendment goes too far. That means a majority of today's teens are mutants, or possibly aliens. Perhaps this new species of human lookalikes enjoys making its websites into propaganda tools for the gubment.

Posted by mowabb at 02:38 PM

April 04, 2005

Falconred Goes to Law School :: Life Outside School:

http://www.falconred.net/archives/2005_03.html#000221

Great shots! Do you have a Flickr stream or have you thought about starting a photoblog? Posting the images here works great, too, obviously, but I was just wondering.

Sounds like life in the big city is treating you very well!

Posted by mowabb at 06:32 AM