Tag / bryan baird
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Zombies vs. The World: A Book Review
After years of reading through political science academic writings at their most mundane, there is not much left that could really inspire me to delve deeper into the field. While I’m always up for learning more, it would take something pretty spectacular to make me want to study realpolitik and neoconservatism in my free time.…
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The Leapfrog Primaries
If you’ve ever wondered why the early months of the presidential election season give so much focus to bizarre bellwether states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, the best answer you’ll get is: “Because shut up. That’s why.” The early primary states have proud, long-winded narratives about how they earned their place as the…
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Nah Nah, Why Don’t You Get a Job?
I accept as a foregone conclusion that politicians have to oversimplify many issues in order to connect with voters. With the possible exception of Sarah Palin, I don’t think that any candidates really believe that the solutions they so pithily offer are quite so easy or comprehensive as they appear. We shouldn’t rush to condemn…
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At West’s End: Vignettes from Istanbul
“The thing about Turks is that we are very ignorant,” my professor explains during a wild non-sequitur from the subject material. He smiles broadly, with childlike enthusiasm, as if to reassure us that his English is not, in fact, failing him. “We find…
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Fear Itself
Yes, we all know the Transportation Security Administration has upped the creepy quota recently. Yes, the remarkably unused color-coded security alert system has been finally cancelled, after hovering at a fatally uninteresting level of “Orange” since time immemorial. And yes, security measures are now being increased on the Washington Monument to near-airport levels. My question…
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Funny Business
Remember when people were all concerned that Al Franken, as a comedian, wasn’t qualified for the Senate? That was dumb. I’m starting to think that comedians are becoming the most powerful politicians of our time. Remember not too long ago when the Icelandic “Best Party” won big on campaign promises of free towels? And of…
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Ballot Goggles
You know, sometimes I have to wonder if everyone sees elections the same way that I do. Then I realize that it’s way more fun if I assume they don’t. Here’s what I imagine different people will see on their ballots next Tuesday. Average Voter: Those guys who aren’t doing too much VS. Those guys…
