Weblog Name: The Yin Blog
Subtitle/Tagline: Random thoughts on law, politics, game theory, sports, books, television shows, and movies.
Focus: Law
Author: Tung Yin
Blogger Occupation: Law Professor
Blogger Location: Iowa
Ecosystem Rank: Marauding Marsupial
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 67
Average Daily Visits: 297
Last Post: January 12, 2004
Posting Frequency: 1.92 posts/day
Blog Age: 11.0 months
First on Blogroll: Stephen Bainbridge
Blogroll Organization: Unknown
Comments Allowed: Yes
Selected Post: Supreme Court takes the Hamdi case
Excerpt:
This case, contrasted with the Gitmo detainees (also up before the Court), strikes me as the sort of area most susceptible to a Justice O'Connor kind of balancing test, with the Gitmo detainees getting no right to counsel and no access to counsel, but Hamdi getting access to counsel and to an Article III court. The usual argument against giving wartime enemies access to counsel and courts boils down to one of logistics and practicalities: we simply could not and would not have given every Japanese and German POW or detainee a lawyer during World War II to litigate the legality of detention. There would have been too many POWs. But the number of U.S. citizens who fight for the enemy in a war is likely to be much much smaller, and hence it might be workable to give them attorneys and some right to a federal court. This is consistent with Ex Parte Quirin, the German saboteurs case; one of the eight was a U.S. citizen. All eight were tried and convicted in a military tribunal (they had counsel), but they all managed to file a habeas petition seeking review by the Supreme Court. Thus, that U.S. citizen, who fought on the side of Germany, did have counsel and access to a federal court (however limited).
Bonus Link: A Pete Rose Autograph Story
Comment: This is an interesting and eclecting blog containing posts on, among other topics, law, politics and sports.
As of: January 12, 2004
Weblog Name: TomPaine.com
Subtitle/Tagline: Take On the News: A Running Commentary on Current Events
Focus: Politics (Left)
Author: Anonymous
Blogger Occupation: N/A
Blogger Location: N/A
Ecosystem Rank: Playful Primate
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 331
Average Daily Visits: N/A
Last Post: November 14, 2003
Posting Frequency: 5.00 posts/day
Blog Age: 51.4 months
First on Blogroll: Talking Points Memo
Blogroll Organization: Unknown
Comments Allowed: No
Selected Post: Damn Iran
Excerpt:
It's inconvenient for our White House when the facts don't support their policy positions. Take Iran, one of the points on the axis of evil. President Bush likes to say nowadays that the antidote to terrorism is democracy. Recently, he praised the reformist baby steps taken by Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, Jordan, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. But, as Toronto Star columnist Haroon Siddiqui points out, Bush "invites mockery by holding them up as 'the stirrings of democracy,' while bearing down hard on Iran." Siddiqui argues that Iran is the most advanced in the debate on Islam and democracy. Iran has held more elections than any Arab nation. We may not like the outcome of their elections, but a lot of Americans don't like the outcome of ours, either.
Human Rights Watch comments on the same subject.
Bonus Link: Hailing Krugman (my title)
Comment: This is a popular, professionally-run site published by the son of Bill Moyers. I disagree with the blog's politics, but can understand why those on the (angry?) left find it worthwhile.
As of: November 14, 2003
Weblog Name: Fly Away (a/k/a cOpiOusity)
Subtitle/Tagline: None
Focus: Miscellany
Author: "Kim"
Blogger Occupation: Ecologist
Blogger Location: Canada
Ecosystem Rank: Insignificant Microbe
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 0
Average Daily Visits: N/A
Last Post: November 12, 2003
Posting Frequency: 0.53 posts/day
Blog Age: 17.7 months
First on Blogroll: I'm like a superhero with no powers or motivation
Blogroll Organization: Unknown
Comments Allowed: Yes
Selected Post: a good case for free range (permalinks bloggered)
Excerpt:
everyday i get closer to becoming a vegetarian when i don't know where my food is actually coming from. i'll eat free range eggs and chickens (i know they're so because my family gets them from a neighbour's farm), get beef from local producers, get lamb (*shudder*) from friends of the family, but somehow, it never sits right with me if i don't know where my meal (particularly the meat part) came from. some days i wish for ignorant bliss and to assume that what i'm eating was always produced in the best way possible. i often wish i wasn't a realist... but on the other hand it's still powerful to know and be able to make the decision not to purchase the pork chops because i don't know where they came from and they could be produced in a non-humane way.
Bonus Link: None (permalinks bloggered)
Comment: This introspective, lower case-friendly blog contains some interesting posts and original haiku.
As of: November 14, 2003
Weblog Name: The Dawn Patrol
Subtitle/Tagline: The exploits of Dawn Eden.
Focus: Miscellany
Author: Dawn Eden
Blogger Occupation: Writer
Blogger Location: New York?
Ecosystem Rank: Wiggly Worm
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 0
Average Daily Visits: N/A
Last Post: November 13, 2003
Posting Frequency: 1.83 posts/day
Blog Age: 21.6 months
First on Blogroll: N/A
Blogroll Organization: None
Comments Allowed: No
Selected Post: Fetal Attraction
Excerpt:
I didn't always think this way. I hated Reagan when he was president. I remember when he was shot and I quipped to someone, "You know what those bumper stickers said—"Reagan in '80/Bush in '81." I was only 12 then, but by the time 1988 came, I was old enough to vote—and I voted for Dukakis. Back then, one would have been hard pressed to find any item on the liberal Democratic agenda with which I didn't agree—including abortion, which I considered a right. That was the case from my childhood through the late 1990s.Then I changed, and, yes, the change had to do with receiving strong faith. But when that faith gave me a new perspective on abortion, I realized that on a purely material level, I had been taking an obviously irrational view.
Believing in the rightness of abortion requires so many compromises, both moral and intellectual, all the way down the line. I like Reagan's statement because it points out the importance of, as he puts it, giving life the benefit of the doubt.
Bonus Link: Tom Jones Brafest (my title)
Comment: This is a fun, eclectic and well-written site. Even better, how many blogs have their own jingle and a personal illustration? I like it.
As of: November 13, 2003
Update: Eric Siegmund comments. Thanks, Eric, and I encourage others to check out the blogs in this series and add their thoughts.
Weblog Name: Crow's Nest
Subtitle/Tagline: Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.......
Focus: Miscellany
Author: Abdul Moiz
Blogger Occupation: Medical Student?
Blogger Location: Pakistan
Ecosystem Rank: Crunchy Crustacean
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 2
Average Daily Visits: N/A
Last Post: November 9, 2003
Posting Frequency: 0.54 posts/day
Blog Age: 6.4 months
First on Blogroll: Jerlabs
Blogroll Organization: Randomized
Comments Allowed: Yes
Selected Post: Leprosy
Excerpt:
Inspite of all these things there are some other bitter facts that reminded me of thre amount of neglect that the Government has to offer to such voluntary services. We were expecting the center to be located in a building which atleast looks like a hospital. But to our astonishment it was one crumbling structure ready to fall on its own located next to a junk yard full of billowing smoke and a busy road on the other side. It gave a picture of living quartesr in a typical karachi slum. Short of beds patients had to be kept on stratures. Such were the conditions in the center but even then i laud the efforts of the staff there whose morale was sky high and they were all intent at providing as much relief as was in their capacity to the sufering and ailing.Leprosy is curable but attitudes are not. Our general public and even our doctors have insulting attitudes towards patients of this ailment. We must keep in mind that this ws not patient's choice to be infected with this disease, if it were to be so than they would have chosen rather to die than be rebuked upon by the members of their families and society.
The people at the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Center are doing a comendable job and thus deserve our moral and material support. Everyone must chip in his part so that in the end it becomes a country wide effort.
Bonus Link: Matrix Revolutions Disappoints (my title)
Comment: This English-written, Karachi-based blog contains some long posts on medicine there and shorter posts on miscellaneous topics.
As of: November 12, 2003
Weblog Name: Joshua Claybourn
Subtitle/Tagline: "Joshua Claybourn is a patriot and a gentleman." -- Rich Lowry, Editor, National Review
Focus: Politics (Right)
Author: Joshua Claybourn
Blogger Occupation: Law Student
Blogger Location: Indiana
Ecosystem Rank: Large Mammal
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 208
Average Daily Visits: 558
Last Post: November 11, 2003
Posting Frequency: 3.86 posts/day
Blog Age: 20.1 months
First on Blogroll: NRO's Corner
Blogroll Organization: Categorized by Beatles Song Title
Comments Allowed: Yes
Selected Post: Smelling the Roses
Excerpt:
I'm sure all of this sounds like arrogance and gloating, but it's far from that. Rather, it's me taking time to actually appreciate the advantages and opportunities that have been afforded to me. It's me consciously not taking it for granted. It's me recognizing that yes, we do have it well here. It's important for me to do everything I can to make those same opportunities available to others whose situation isn't so fortunate, which is no fault of their own. Yes, its true that Americans enjoy a life not afforded to others. But this American recognizes that and doesn't take it for granted.
Bonus Link: Indiana Election Reportage (my title)
Comment: An eclectic, well-written and attractive blog that's understandably popular. I thought I had this site on my blogroll. Hmm.
As of: November 11, 2003
Weblog Name: Timshel
Subtitle/Tagline: Eighteen years of education and all I got was this stupid website. . .
Focus: Politics (Left)
Author: "Ricky"
Blogger Occupation: Unknown
Blogger Location: Louisiana
Ecosystem Rank: Crawly Amphibian
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 14
Average Daily Visits: 102
Last Post: November 11, 2003
Posting Frequency: 5.43 posts/day
Blog Age: 2.4 months
First on Blogroll: Slate
Blogroll Organization: Unknown
Comments Allowed: Yes
Selected Post: Impressions from tonight's debate
Excerpt:
I think Blanco continues to perform better in the one on one debates than she has in the festival seating free-for-alls of the primary. She stuck to a message of platitudes tonight (this has admittedly been the focus of her whole campaign) and sidestepped a few chances to really stick it to Bobby J. The format was more appealing than some other debates since it didn't stick to one issue and allowed the candidate to rebut their opponent. I've obviously got a horse in this race so take the rest of what I have to say with a grain of salt.There is a smugness about Jindal that I can't get over. I don't feel like he has even the most tenuous connection to people of any socioeconomic or racial background. He foists his conservative values on the voters at every step, but as some commenters on this site have made very clear, it never seems sincere. This generally doesn't matter to me (hell, I voted for Al Gore in the last presidential election), but since I don't share his politics I don't see any reason to vote for him. I imagine his votes come from a general sense around Louisiana that he offers something new to this state even if I don't think there is anything new in any of his position statements. Anyway, this smugness came out loud and clear to me tonight. I don't know how many non-partisans felt that way though.
Bonus Link: Louisiana Gubernatorial Debate Drinking Game (my title)
Comment: This prolifically-written blog focuses on Louisiana politics from a liberal perspective, but generally in a thoughtful and non-strident manner. I think I'll add this one to the Blogs around the U.S.A. project.
As of: November 11, 2003
Weblog Name: In Context
Subtitle/Tagline: con-text (kon'tekst) n. 1. the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specified word or passage and can influence its meaning or effect. 2. the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event or situation
Focus: Israel
Author: "Lynn B"
Blogger Occupation: Unknown
Blogger Location: Unknown
Ecosystem Rank: Adorable Little Rodent
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 54
Average Daily Visits: N/A
Last Post: November 10, 2003
Posting Frequency: 0.79 posts/day
Blog Age: 16.0 months
First on Blogroll: Meryl Yourish
Blogroll Organization: Unknown
Comments Allowed: No
Selected Post: Under the Bed
Excerpt:
Look. If you believe that a pluralistic democracy is a good thing, something that strengthens and nourishes the society it serves, then undermining pluralism could be seen as an effective weapon against an enemy. But if you believe that a pluralistic democracy is a bad thing, a sign of weakness and vulnerability, undermining it would be counterproductive. Instead, you would want to exploit it, even encourage it. And one way you might do this, just conceivably, especially if you realize that your enemy can't grasp the notion that you consider its strengths to be weaknesses, is to find a way to convince that enemy to hold ever tighter to idealized democratic and pluralistic "principles," like a security blanket that a child believes will protect against the world's unseen evils, the monsters under the bed.
Does this mean that pluralism, diversity, understanding and tolerance should be abandoned? Absolutely not. What it does mean, though, is that we need to take off the blinders and learn to differentiate between those aspects of our democracy that make us strong and those that make us weak. We need to resist clinging to ideals as a substitute for taking action. And we need to refuse to allow our most valuable principles to be turned against us.
Bonus Link: Laughing with "Allah" (my title)
Comment: This site is a member of the Blogmosis family of blogs. It focuses on Israel, and is well-written and interesting. Recommended.
As of: November 11, 2003
Weblog Name: Let the Record Show
Subtitle/Tagline: A Journal of Politics, Media, and Cultural Devolution
Focus: Politics (Left)
Author: "RJ"
Blogger Occupation: Unknown
Blogger Location: Unknown
Ecosystem Rank: Crawly Amphibian
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 18
Average Daily Visits: N/A
Last Post: September 21, 2003
Posting Frequency: 0.19 posts/day
Blog Age: 8.0 months
First on Blogroll: Agonist
Blogroll Organization: Alphabetical
Comments Allowed: Yes
Selected Post: here
Excerpt:
These problems could all be easily solved by adding printers to touchscreen machines in order to provide a paper trail or using optical scan systems that read paper ballots. That, coupled with the reform of laws to mandate hand recounts when elections are decided by less than half of one percent of the total vote, is what people who are worried about the preservation of democracy should be talking about. Call your representatives... bitch, moan, complain and demand reform. Unless you're a republican -- then you're probably safe. Wally and Chuck have got you covered.
Bonus Link: Will Saletan-bashing! (my title)
Comment: I disagree with the author's politics, but the site is well-written and organized. It hasn't been updated in awhile, though.
As of: November 10, 2003
Weblog Name: Banana Oil!
Subtitle/Tagline: a movie blog now in fabulous WebniColor™!
Focus: Movies, of course!
Author: Ian Michael Hamet
Blogger Occupation: Submitting screenplays to agents and contests
Blogger Location: Unknown
Ecosystem Rank: Slithering Reptile
TTLBBE Unique Inbound Links: 19
Average Daily Visits: N/A
Last Post: November 10, 2003
Posting Frequency: 0.80 posts/day
Blog Age: 10.3 months
First on Blogroll: InstaPundit
Blogroll Organization: Categorized by Movie Quotes
Comments Allowed: via email
Selected Post: The Writing Bug Returns, Maybe
Excerpt:
Now this is a great idea. A modern day Tokyo Joe, or Sirocco, or the more successful models for those films, To Have and Have Not and, naturally, Casablanca. Let's even throw in a non-Bogie film and say The Third Man as well.
Of course we don't have Bogie anymore, but we do have the next best thing, Harrison Ford, who is conveniently experiencing an extended career slump much as Bogie was post WWII. Even if Ford won't bite, the role can be written in a way that, with a decent director, anybody who's ever been accused of being a wooden actor can play it and be seen as stoic.
Bonus Link: Yowza! (my title)
Comment: It's a new site to me, very well-written (of course) and interesting. I like it.
As of: November 10, 2003
Tonight, I'm inaugurating a new feature. Every day, as deadlines allow, I hope to visit a randomly-selected blog or two from N.Z. Bear's Blogosphere Ecosystem. Assuming one blog is chosen each day, and assuming the Ecosystem stays at its current size, it will take almost exactly 14 years to visit each weblog.
The purpose of this project is four-fold: (i) to gather data for future Quantifying the Blogosphere posts; (2) to identify new blogs to add to the Blogs around the World and Blogs around the U.S.A. projects; (3) to discover new blogs that I might not have found otherwise to add to the massive blogroll on the left; and (4) to introduce any readers to new sites to add to their own blogrolls or bookmarks/favorites.
For a time, I will include links to these individual posts on the sidebar under my normal blogroll. I hope any readers will pay these sites a visit.
Happy reading!
