[bush] george and his new world order

David and Robin Whitney’s The American Presidents [Guild America 2001] is seen as one of the definitive works on the US Presidents, widely recognized as taking a line as far down the centre as possible, even verging on the pedantic at times. Yet even within the documentary record, surprising things can pop up. "A new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn. The totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree." This lyrical utterance was by GHW Bush on his inauguration, surprising really, coming from the slightly grey fuddy-duddy emerging from Ronald Reagan’s shadow. It was to prove to be more than a one-off anomaly. Read more here.

[obama barack] next us president or not

What’s with this Obama Barack [45]? He told NBC's Meet the Press: I am still at the point where I have not made a decision to - to pursue higher office but it is true that I have thought about it over the last several months. Obama entered the national spotlight as the keynote speaker at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, winning the Senate seat that November with 70 percent of the vote. Last month he was the main speaker at Sen. Tom Harkin's Iowa steak fry, an annual political Democrat event. "He took it by storm, like a rock star hit the place," said Trippi, who has been working in campaigns in Iowa since 1979. You felt it. It was not just his speech. It was the way the crowd surged around him ... You couldn't move if he was in the area. If he entered the race, you can’t help but think he might do well against Hillary and Condi. More here and here.

[famous enigmas] kaspar hauser

The story of the wild child who appeared from nowhere is interesting enough in itself but when coupled with the attempts on his life which could equally be explained as suicide, then the plot thickens. Add to that research suggesting he was a crown prince and there is indeed an enigma. I’ve grappled with this one for years and was reminded of it with my own attacks on the weekend – see what you think. Story is here.

[btq saturday] behind-the-quote

Ruskin had a dispute with Whistler over 'art' and said: I have seen and heard much about Cockney impudence before now; but never expected to hear a coxcomb ask two hundred guineas for flinging a pot of paint in the public's face [1877]. He was referring to Nocturne in Black and Gold. Whistler replied: No, I ask it for the experience of a lifetime. The winner is 'anonymous' and thanks for the entry.

[current enigma] why people refuse to respond

If you take your traffic and divide it by the number who respond to things like BTQ and various polls, it’s a very small fraction. One top blogger wrote about his own competition: I'm still waiting on a lot of you, waiting for your entries …Don't let me down. I don’t know why people won’t join in these things but they steadfastly refuse. It’s not that they won’t take the time – my blogging e-mails are about 200 in the week and the occasional comment is even left on a post but quizzes and polls – people just refuse to do ’em. Do you have a theory about this?

[weekend] attacks and blockages

The new e-mail appears to be working fine - please don't use the oasis address as it's now confirmed that it's blocked by 'them' and I absolutely refuse to play their game. There was also another attack yesterday - hence no posting until this morning but we'll press on. Thank you and sorry to anyone who checked in yesterday and found nothing. I hope to make up for it now.