–Should the government of Egypt have the authority to forbid other nations from featuring the Pyramids on their postage stamps?
–How difficult is it to understand the difference between “I deny saying that…” and “I do not recall saying that…”? How difficult do you think it is for a bureaucrat charged with breaking a major federal law? (“I don’t understand the difference. I just do not understand the difference you’re trying to make…”). How would your answer change if the bureaucrat in question had majored in English in college? (Via Law Prof on the Loose.)
–Who could possibly be stupid enough to think that Fahrenheit 451 has nothing to do with censorship?
–When military medical staff deliver a baby, who outranks whom: a physician captain or a midwife major? And how much is a wrong answer worth? (Via Kevin, M.D.)
–What was it that Cardozo said about “negligence in the air“? (Via Fark.)
6 responses so far ↓
Link Tony // Jun 7, 2007 at 8:43 am
I saw the story about Fahrenheit 451. If Bradbury is serious, the logical decision would've been to stay quiet. As a book about television, it doesn't really make any sense or hold any power. As a statement about censorship, it's a great work. So he's admitting that he botched what he set out to do and accidentally created a good book on censorship? I'd keep that to myself.
Link dolphin // Jun 7, 2007 at 9:46 am
I can kind of understand where Bradbury is coming from. After all, in the book he says something along the lines of "it wasn't the government who initially banned the books. We turned our back on the books and the government simply followed suit" (forgive me for not having the exact words on hand).
Still, the world he created is one in which at least some people wanted to read, but were not allowed. Even if it wasn't his intent, I'm sure he'd have to admit that's where the book ended up.
Link David_Z // Jun 7, 2007 at 12:25 pm
If it's not about censorship, how do you explain "unwords" and "newspeak" ?
Link Dave // Jun 7, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Re the Egypt question. The story notes that the pyramids are the only of the seven wonders to have survived; I believe Ephesus, in Turkey, was considered one of the wonders, and it survives, if only as an archaeological site, which, of course, is precisely what the pyramids are.
Link Windypundit // Jun 8, 2007 at 7:14 am
On the pyramid issue:
Zahi Hawass is such a pain in the ass! If you've seen any recent documentary on the Pyramids, the Sphinx, or any other Egypian historic site, then you've seen Zahi Hawass. He's interviewed in every one of them.
At first I assumed he was just a popular authority on the subject, but once I realized he was the antiquities chief, it's a pretty obvious assumption that documentarians have to include him to get the rights to film at the historic sites.
I'm sure Egypt would let Portugal use images of the Pyramids if they also included Zahi Hawass's smiling face…
Link Wulf@AtlasBlogged // Jun 8, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Wow – I just read the article on the baby delivery and I am shocked. Situational authority is more important than rank, and that should be understood by everybody at every level in every billet in every branch of the military.
What a gross blunder of military procedure – why did the major allow it to happen? If she was cognizant of it and did not correct it, then she should be brought up on charges.