I didn't watch Bush tonight, but have been reading blogger's accounts. Apparently he got a softball question about whether he could ever admit a mistake and I guess he said he could (haven't seen a transcript yet). I don't believe it--it's something in his nature that won't let him, like that time he froze because he couldn't correctly say the words of the adage that ends with "Shame on me." And here's Calpundit on his performance tonight (someone must have asked him the same question again, a trickier way):

9:25 — "What's the biggest mistake you made after 9/11?" Bush just froze. He couldn't answer for literally 30 seconds. "I can't come up with something under the pressure of the press conference."

Wow. That would be almost sad if he wasn't so dangerous.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art:
Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates, Central Park, New York
April 6, 2004–July 25, 2004
The Erving and Joyce Wolf Gallery, 1st floor

This exhibition documents the evolution of the widely anticipated outdoor work of art The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979–2005, conceived by the husband-and-wife collaborators Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Scheduled for presentation during 16 days in February 2005, the completed project will consist of 7,500 saffron-colored gates set up at 12-foot intervals along 23 miles of pedestrian walkways that lace New York's Central Park.

Mr. Wilson, I wonder - knowing you spend a great deal of time in the Park - what you might think of this project? (if you have posted on this already, my apologies).

i ordered from fresh direct last night. my order is supposed to arrive between 4 and 6. im a little skeptical of the operation as my $67 bill reads as $80 on my credit cards account online. but its pending. hmm. also, they charge a $4 delivery fee which is a reasonable amount but it annoys me on some level. isnt their core purpose "to deliver?" isnt that like being charged twice for the crime of laziness?

This Would Sure Give Me Confidence

Bush said he had spoken twice in the past few days with Gen. John Abizaid, the overall commanded [sic] of the Iraq war, and that Abizaid "knows full well when he speaks to me, if he needs additional manpower, he can ask for it."

(AP article, via Salon)

went to see the fall last night at maxwells. saw nickas there but not uglow. they did a cover of frankie vali's song "walk like a man." my first fall show. last punk band standing . actually he wasnt standing because of a broken foot he sat and entered/exited on crutches. best back up band in years, but mark e smith seams a lil broken down.

Bribing your way into restaurants (via kottke) Seems more sensible to just eat at 10:00 instead of 8:00, but I guess there are people who do this.

"The graffiti artist Banksy has managed to smuggle in his latest work, a dead rat in a glass-fronted box, into the Natural History Museum....

The piece called "Banksus Militus Ratus" was displayed with a text that said the common sewer rat had some remarkable new characteristics. "
April 8, The Guardian.

Spontaneous combustion happens all the time, it's just not widely reported.

Holy shit, Bush really is a uniter. Who'd a thunk?

The cross-community demonstration of support for Fallujah had been organized by Baghdad clerics both Sunni and Shiite amid reports that the death toll in the town had reached 105 since late Tuesday.

To put it very mildly, I've had a dim view of this whole affair since before the beginning. But even my tin foil capped head never imagined anything bring together the Shia and Sunnis. Way to go Georgie! Mission accomplished!

Arianna Huffington loves blogs (super annoying Salon day pass required.)

Simply put, blogs are the greatest breakthrough in popular journalism since Tom Paine broke onto the scene....

All of which has made the blogosphere such a vital news source in our country -- and has made me besotted with blogs. It's a crush that I'm betting will quickly progress to going steady.

We’re still waiting for the DMTree review of Megu. In the meantime, the Post whines about the menu, never mind the food.

youch is anyone happy with amanda hesser?

Thought Tom or someone might be interested in this (via boingboing): Classic Gamer Magazine. 6 meg .pdf download. Apparently chock full of screen shots from all the old classic video games.

THEATER OF WAR

"Bomb the Mosque":

I think that I'm going to make an effort to incorporate this expression into my everyday chatter, as a phrase synonymous with "throw the baby out with the bath water..."

Ex: you can come up with your own. If this were vietnam, soldiers might already be using it.

As in, "Hey! Whatever you do, man, don't bomb the mosque!!!"

(don't insult your guest and crash into his car as well, or don't fire all teachers just because you don't like the way the school is run. . .)

"The 88th annual Pulitzer Prizes were announced on Monday. Following are the winners in Letters, Drama and Music."

The artist Carrie Mae Weems has donated a photograph to friends of ours to help pay for their daughter's (also a good friend) last semester of college. They are raffling off the photo. Details inside.

made me laugh

Has George Bush ever been asked, on the record, if it is his personal opinion that we are in (what fundamentalist Christians describe as) the end times?

"Each day ArtsJournal editors scan thousands of stories about the arts from some 200 newspapers, magazines and e-publications for posting on ArtsJournal."
...and it's free.

Just got the following in an email from an author I'm working with: "In terms of the other articles - I have some minor connections to unput on some of them" ...I'm thinking we should maybe let someone else input the minor corrections...

from atrios:

Go Pelosi!

Why does Bush need to appear in front of the commission with his minder?

WASHINGTON - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says it's baffling and embarrassing that President Bush (news - web sites) is appearing before the Sept. 11 commission with Vice President Dick Cheney at his side instead of by himself.

"I think it speaks to the lack of confidence that the administration has in the president going forth alone, period," Pelosi, D-Calif., said Friday. "It's embarrassing to the president of the United States that they won't let him go in without holding the hand of the vice president of the United States."

"I think it reinforces the idea that the president cannot go it alone," she said. "The president should stand tall, walk in the room himself and answer the questions."

Who's the Fool Now?

Pardon my ignorance Alex, but how big are those hawks? They look huge. That third pic is really nice.

Gushing 71 Clinton review. Well, it would be gushing except it's true. Seriously. This kid is off the charts.

Farci of vidalia onion, riesling risotto, savoy cabbage, golden raisins, marscapone is my new favorite dish in the world.

I don't know the reviewer, Andrea Strong, but her blog looks nice.

Coffee Klatch