Roger Ebert continues to prove why he's one of our greatest living writers. To answer his question as to how people get to be so deeply racist, I think it's a combination of fear of change in general, and of fear that one's own position is going to be undermined by improved conditions for others. I agree, though, that it must be miserable to hate so many people all the time.
"You can't call yourself a 'deficit hawk' if the only programs you want to cut are the ones you don't like anyway."
Good article on how the Internets apparently make us scatter-brained.
I have long thought that the notion of "team chemistry" is bunk. People on winning teams love to point out what great chemistry they have in the clubhouse. News flash: you have great chemistry because you're winning, not the other way around. Jim Leyland agrees with me, in wonderfully profane fashion.
Elsewhere in sports: Second time in a few years that an inactive DC United player has taken in a match in the stands. Pure awesomeness. Mascot story: the Yankees had one, back in the day. Why isn't there a wiffle ball bar in every town in America?
Let's crank out some links before heading to the ballpark, shall we?
My kids love Silly Bandz, these rubber-band bracelet things that hold different shapes when you take them off. So I knew it was inevitable that school districts would start banning them as a "distraction." In my day, it was Chinese Jacks.
Anyone who wants to get all riled up claiming that the Bible is massively opposed to homosexuality needs to go read this.
The always-entertaining Anthony Bourdain checks in with Slate's series on being wrong.
I have been using this method to knock out tasks at work and at home for a while now.
With the excitement of Strasmas nearly upon us, Barry Svrluga looks back at the 2005 Nats and their great early-season run. I saw a comment to the effect of "The fact that Nats fans are nostalgic for a team that ended the season at .500 just shows how crappy the team has been." Maybe so. But I have to say, I don't think I've ever enjoyed my time at the ballpark more than the first few months of that season.
Other sports: World Cup fever! Are you a confused American? Get your World Cup primer here. And lastly, Youppi! sighting (indeed, I am disappointed my picture was not used).