http://www.bodhipaksa.com Reflections of a Western Buddhist Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:24:22 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I found this extensive and useful comment on Digg today, in response to one of the many conservative posters there who deride Obama for his supposed lack of accomplishments. [added later:] PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to ... http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/accomplishments In bed, reading Le Carré by the light of my iPod. # @amoghavajra You mean THE Olympic village? In Beijing? # http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/twitter-updates-for-2008-09-04-2 In bed, reading Le Carré by the light of my iPod. # @amoghavajra You mean THE Olympic village? In Beijing? # http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/twitter-updates-for-2008-09-04 Actuarial tables suggest that John McCain has between a 14.2% and 15.1% chance of dying in his first term of office should he be elected president. The chances rise to 1 in 3 of him dying before the end of a second term. "And that doesn’t factor in individual medical history, ... http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/greater-than-1-in-7-change-of-mccain-dying-in-next-four-years Why is it that Jon Stewart seems to be the few people in the media doing what journalists are supposed to do -- speak truth to power? And he's a comedian. http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/john-stewart-the-hilarity-of-hypocrisy This giant, robotic, helium-filled manta ray is very cool: But this giant, robotic, helium-filled jellyfish is even cooler: http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/helium-filled-robotic-delights Despite John McCain's ongoing assurances that Sarah Palin was thoroughly vetted (and this is rather at odds with the fact that the vetters didn't head up to Alaska until after he'd announced Palin as his running mate) interesting and disturbing news continues to emerge. This is from the New York Times: Shortly ... http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/half-baked-alaskan During the 2004 election season, [Palin's pastor, Ed Lanins] praised President Bush's performance during a debate with Sen. John Kerry, then offered a not-so-subtle message about his personal candidate preferences. "I'm not going tell you who to vote for, but if you vote for this particular person, I question your ... http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/sarah-palins-church author: Murray Leinster name: Bodhipaksa average rating: 3.50 book published: 2007 rating: 3 read at: 09/08 date added: 09/02/08 shelves: review: This World Is Taboo is classic sci-fi from 1961, although there's very much a 1950's feel about the dialog and characterization. The hero, Calhoun, is an itinerant medical worker but with the ... http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/this-world-is-taboo The tree frogs are really loud tonight. # @Dassini Same for Newmarket. Lots of lovely sun. # http://www.bodhipaksa.com/archives/twitter-updates-for-2008-09-02