Shuarian’s Weblog

While probably not among his best, The Sleeper Awakes (wikipedia) is still one of my favourite books by socialist science fiction writer H.G. Wells (wikipedia).

What I like about the book is the way the seemingly personal utopia of one man turns into an social dystopia. Being written before both World Wars, that dystopia happens out of normal human progress, which somehow makes it even more devastating than the many after-war scenarios brought forward in other dystopias (e.g. 1984 by George Orwell or Brave New World by Aldous Huxley).

Below a quote I marked when I first had read the book:

Our array of angry virtues and sour restraints was the consequence of danger and insecurity. The Stoic, the Puritan, even in my time, were vanishing types. In the old days man was armed against Pain, now he is eager for Pleasure. There lies the difference. Civilization has driven pain and danger so far off - for well-to-do people.

Just a quick note, I’ve finally uploaded some of the pictures I took during my trip back in July to Bosnia & Herzegovina. The pictures are available on my website’s travel pictures section. As usual, I’ll try to follow up with a short blog post about the journey.
 
 
 
 

No time to write about the US election just yet, but still enjoying Obama’s victory.

The US Election is coming closer.

States to watch: Pennsylvania, Colorado, Ohio, Nevada, Florida and Virginia.

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My prediction: Obama wins, the popular vote in a landslide and the deciding EV votes with a comfortable lead. Below is my scenario, which gives Obama 302 EV votes. The scenario is made under the premise of a high turnout (including a high youth and black turnout).

Map created via RCP

The only toss-up is Florida. Given the above landslide, I’m tempted to call Florida for Obama, too — as I believe he will do well among the Hispanic vote and also among the elderly. This would give the Obama/Biden ticket 329 EVs and would mean a complete blowout.

Of course, a few states may fall one way or another, but I think the bigger picture will hold up. I really hope so.

I’ve just stumbled upon DaveQat’s write-up on everything2.com, I pity a a man with no scars (link). Somehow, it struck a chord with me, so here it is:

I pity a man who hasn’t seen midnight,
because he doesn’t know the beauty of the dawn.

I pity a man who hasn’t known failure
because he doesn’t know the exultation of success.

I pity a man who hasn’t tasted filth
because he doesn’t know the sweetness of honey.

I pity a man with no scars
because he doesn’t know the ease of healing

I pity a man who has never seen death
because he doesn’t know the joy of life.

From personal experience, I pity a man who hasn’t lost himself
because he doesn’t know the bittersweet joy of finding and reinventing oneself.

On the NBC Show Meet the Press, General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell (wikipedia) endorsed Barack Obama:

This endorsement means more than just a news cycle for Obama. Colin Powell is a highly respected person among Independents and moderate Republicans, as well as among active and former military personnel. As such, the endorsement of Barack Obama by Colin Powell certainly helps Obama’s chances in important swing states like Florida, West Virginia and Virginia

What’s more, after the many misleading and inappropriate comments from McCain and Palin over the last few weeks (just compare my blog entry below), it’s refreshing to hear a sane voice making a deliberate and fair argument for Barack Obama.

Kong Fuzi, the great Chinese philosopher, asks: "Gov. Palin, you and your running mate John McCain are known to put country first. Why then is it that you and John McCain are rentlessly attacking Barack Obama, instead of focusing on what comes first on the list of challenges this country faces, the economic?"

As Gov. Palin doesn’t answer any questions, the McCain campaign steps in and says :

It’s [going negative; ed.] a dangerous road, but we have no choice, [...] If we keep talking about the economic crisis, we’re going to lose. [Emphasis added]

Kong Fuzi asks: "Gov. Palin, do you and your running mate John McCain know how dangerous a road it is?"

From Frank Rich’s column at the New York Times:

At McCain-Palin rallies, the raucous and insistent cries of “Treason!” and “Terrorist!” and “Kill him!” and “Off with his head!” as well as the uninhibited slinging of racial epithets, are actually something new in a campaign that has seen almost every conceivable twist.

Kong Fuzi says: "Not to forget this video:"

Taken from Firstread:

Earlier today, Obama remarked on recent outbursts of “Traitor!” “Terrorist!” and “Kill him!” at McCain campaign events. “It’s easy to rile up a crowd,” Obama said. “Nothing’s easier than riling up a crowd by stoking anger and division. But that’s not what we need right now in the United States.

In response, McCain senior adviser Nicolle Wallace released this statement, NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell reports. “Barack Obama’s assault on our supporters is insulting and unsurprising.”. [Emphasis added]

The McCain website reads:

Those who serve in positions of public trust have a patriotic duty to serve the national interest with integrity and accountability, to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the people we are privileged to serve. [Emphasis added]

Yet from PoliticalWire:

TPM finds Sen. John McCain’s campaign "has now shifted virtually 100% of his national ad spending into negative ads" attacking Sen. Barack Obama.

Yet from TPM:

The McCain campaign is now broadening their attack on Obama’s past association with William Ayers to include Michelle Obama — even though McCain has repeatedly said spouses should be off limits during the campaign.

The attack? Bernardine Dohrn, Ayers’ wife and fellow former Weatherman, went to work in 1984 for the major Chicago-based national law firm of Sidley & Austin, and three years later, Michelle joined the mega-firm as well.

That’s the entire attack. We wish we were joking. But we aren’t.

Kong Fuzi says: Hu?