The Cuter Side of Politics

Skeptics in the Jeep!

2009-09-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

I was going through some of my pictures today and came across this video I had forgotten about from my Skeptics in the Jeep adventure last month. I'd tell the story, but Brian Dunning has already done a fantastic job of that over on Skepticblog, so your best off just reading his version of the Jeeping trip of doom, as it's better (and far less wordy) than anything I could have written.

Obama's Healthcare Speech: Can You Have Too Many Choices?

2009-09-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

If you want to read more on the subject of what happens when a person is offered too many choices in an area that is rather complex, I highly suggest Thaler and Sunstein's book "Nudge". Specifically chapter 10 on Medicare Part D (i.e. prescription drugs for the elderly).

Also, if you like the necklace and want one for yourself, just head on over to Surly-Ramics.

Welcome to the California DMV

2009-08-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

Sure, I'm on vacation, but I got back from the DMV and just had to share my experiences. Serious props to the DMV workers. You have had your schedules slashed and your workload increased, but still managed to have a pleasant and happy demeanor.

Nothing to see here, move along

2009-08-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to check in. I'm currently in the process of redecorating the site, so it may look different every time you come look at it. I can't figure out how to do it offline and then upload (if anyone knows, please tell me!!), so it might look funny at times. I appologize. Blog posts and videos may be a bit lacking for the next few weeks while I work on designing the site. If you happen to be really good at stuff like this and want to help me, please send me an email at jamiebb at uchicago dot edu and let me know.

However, I did want to pimp out my friend Phillip's new web comic, Brain Emancipation. It's adorable, funny and smart all at the same time. He's only got a few comics up so far, but they are really well done, so you should go check it out.

I think my favorite of his so far is this one.

Oh, and follow me on twitter.

Domain!!

2009-07-31T00:59:00.000-07:00

I now have my very own personal corner of the web.

http://www.cutersideofpolitics.net

(yah, ".com" was taken -- boo).

I'm now official. I'm going to work on redecorating and logos and such over the next month.

Oh, and follow me on Twitter! Seriously, do it.

Some Opinions, Please

2009-07-27T20:39:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to check in to say that I'm not giving up so soon on my new found enthusiasm for the blog and videos. I'm currently in the middle of a big move, so I'm really busy. Posting is going to be a bit lax for the next week or so.

In the meantime, I need some opinions. I've realized it is super cheap to get my own domain name. I have no idea why I haven't done this earlier, but it really is about time. I was thinking either www.thecuterside.com or www.cuterpolitics.com or maybe something else. Any opinions or ideas?

Gerrymandering and Open Elections

2009-07-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

I was chatting with some friends via email today. With permission (and identifying data removed) I'd like to share it.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ty
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:33 AM
To: Jamie, Brian
Subject: Video

Have either of you seen the video of a Republican congressman (I can't remember which one, but I think it was in Maine) at a town hall meeting where a lady stands up and shows her birth certificate? She starts shouting about how Obama isn't a legal citizen and that her grandfather fought in WWII (but she doesn't remember/know that Obama's grandfather also fought in WWII). Then the audience starts to recite the pledge of allegiance to drown out the congressman as he tries to explain that Obama is a citizen. It's funny/scary/weird as hell. What has happened to the Republican party?

-----Original Message-----
From: Jamie
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:37 AM
To: Ty, Brian
Subject: RE: Video

I'm glad I never saw that.

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:57 AM
To: Jamie, Ty
Subject: RE: Video

I have not seen that either.

My teacher had email that listed Dilbert's rule of order.

One reads

"Never argue, with an idiot they will lower you down to their level and beat you with experience."

I believe that is applicable for this video.

In response to what has happen to the Republican Party. It is the same thing that is happening/happened with the Democratic party. To win a primary you have to appeal to the extreme of your party. In the general election (mostly with congressional elections) the district is gerrymander so the hard liner wins, because a Democratic/Republican would never vote for the other party, no matter how crazy their candidate is. When the hard liner wins it fuel division and scars people to their corners (democratic/republican), so moderates slowly die. People become more radical because the minority party has a perfect example to hate the ruling party and the ruling party uses the attacks as an excuse to attack back. It is really a cycle.

I'm not going to link to the video in question because 1) I REALLY don't want to see it and 2) that's not really the point. Brian's statement about gerrymandering leading to polarizing politics got me thinking. I'd actually like to argue that this is not the case with all states, perhaps just most. We can't all be the gerrymandered (yet lovely) California, but every state does have a bit of this going on, pushing out moderates and putting all the power in the hands of extremists.

I have argued previously that one of the best ways to avoid this is via open elections. In other words, independents would be allowed to vote in the primary for a party of their choosing. Since independents make up a good 40% of the country, this would greatly change the type of candidates who make it to the general election. It will also cause candidates to do less pandering to their party and move towards the middle in order to pick up the independent voters.

The biggest argument I always hear against open primaries is that voters in one party could vote in the rival party's primary for the candidate that s/he believes will do the worst in the general election. The problem with this argument is that there is currently nothing stopping someone from registering in a different party and voting in their primary anyways. Since there doesn't seem to be a problem with this in closed primaries, I don't see why open primaries would change anything.

The other day, the Economist had an article about Washington State's primary system.

Washington’s old system, adopted in 1935, was a “blanket primary”. Voters were not required to declare a party affiliation and instead voted for one candidate for each office, no matter from which party. The leading vote-winner from each party for each office then went on to contest the general election.

Apparently, sometimes this system can even end in two democrats or two republicans running against each other in the general election. However, in 2000, the Supreme Court declared this system unconstitutional. In 2008, the Supreme Court reversed their decision and Washington has since gone back to having open primaries. The Economist said it best.

Daniel Evans, a three-term governor of Washington in the 1960s and 1970s and the epitome of moderation admits that it is too early, after just one cycle, to say that “top-two” primaries always lead to to centrism. In places with gerrymandered districts, the outcome could even be more polarisation. But so far the system looks promising, and California is right to consider it. Maybe the country should, too.

I'm Sorry in advance, ASU

2009-07-21T22:18:00.001-07:00

I wanted to post these months ago when they originally aired. In fact, I even got requests for it, but I just couldn't do it. It just wasn't particularly nice. I mean, what if an ASU person likes reading my blog (assuming s/he can read of course). See! I can't help but take swipes at ASU.

Anyways, I just can't hold out any longer. It's one thing when my friends and I make jokes at ASU's expense, but another when ASU bashing is featured on the Daily Show and SNL.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Arizona State Snubs Obama

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Joke of the Day

Also, don't forget SNL's take on the matter. Seriously, click the link because unfortunately this video won't allow embedding.

The best part, though, came a couple days later when Obama gave his commencement speech at Notre Dame. He said the following:

I want to thank you for this honorary degree. I know it has not been without controversy. I don't know if you're aware of this, but these honorary degrees are apparently pretty hard to come by. So far I'm only 1 for 2 as President. Father Hesburgh is 150 for 150. I guess that's better. Father Ted, after the ceremony, maybe you can give me some pointers on how to boost my average.

Listening to the President make a swipe at ASU is probably the greatest thing ever!

Some thoughts on Sarah Palin Fans

2009-07-20T18:22:00.000-07:00

The other day I was reading this Economist article on Sarah Palin and the people that love her. Specifically, I found this part really interesting.

Many Americans want as president someone who is exceptionally well-informed about public policy, who surrounds himself with experts, who weighs the evidence and then does what is best for the country. But few people are policy experts, so they often follow their hearts rather than their heads when deciding whom to vote for. Often, they assume that someone culturally similar to themselves will be more likely to look out for their interests. And that is why Mrs Palin is still so popular. There are an awful lot of Americans who see her as one of their own. She talks like them. She guts her own fish. She wears her faith on her sleeve. She obviously didn’t go to Harvard. And when people who did call her stupid or mock her faith or her family, her fans take it personally.

The Economist seems to be implying that many of the people who follow Palin take criticisms of her more personally than they would for other politicians. This would certainly explain the barrage of defensive comments I got on my Sarah Palin video the other day. From the comments you would think I had said something horrible about her, but all I did was make a silly, and rather non sequitur joke.

Here are some of my favorites:

i wanna unsubscribe to your channel cos you are wrong about Palin

You seem to me to be someone really adept at regurgitating the media mumbo jumbo. Congradulations for being a dumb person with a webcam.

jesus christ, get off the woman's back.

At least have an educated response!

The Endangered Species Act

2009-07-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

Just because a policy feels good, doesn't mean it works.

Part 1

Part 2

Citations:

United States Code (2008). Conservation: Endangered Species. USC Title 16, Ch. 35, Sec. 1531-1544.
Link

Brown, G. M., Shogren, J. F. (Summer 1998). Economics of the Endangered Species Act. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 12(3), 3-20.
Link

Lueck, D., Michael, J. A. (Apr 2003). Preemptive Habitat Destruction under the Endangered Species Act. The Journal of Law and Economics, 46(27). Retrieved November 3, 2008, from Lexis Nexis Academic database.
Link

Just in case you're not getting enough of me already...

2009-07-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

I'm finally on Twitter as UAJamie! I'm usually the first to get into all the new internet technologies, but Twitter is one of those things that I just don't quite get. It's to the point now, though, that I just can't hold out any longer. So, all of you who are already on twitter should go follow me so that I have a reason to actually use it.

On another note, I spent last weekend in the only place with hotter weather than in Tucson. That's right, I was at the Amaz!ng Meeting 7 in Las Vegas. If you don't already know about it, shame on you! But seriously, if you've never heard of it, quick get yourself over to JREF blog and Bad Astronomy and do some reading. Then, open up your itunes and subscribe to the following podcasts: The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe, The Skeptic Zone, Skepticality, Point of Inquiry, and Skeptoid. Listen to all of them for the next year or so and then when registration opens to TAM 8, go ahead and plan your trip to Vegas. Finally, when July comes, head on over to the South Point and buy me a drink (it's worth a try, right?).

Here's a picture of me at this year's meeting with the Amazing James Randi

Also, you should head right over and download the latest episode #39 of the Skeptic Zone. Really, you should listen to the entire hour and 25 minutes because it's full of awesomeness, but if you just don't have the time, skip to the one hour mark. We did a Think Tank Las Vegas and Richard Saunders and Moriel Schottlender did a neat experiment with beer bottles. I approve of any science that involves beer. Not to mention that yours truly makes a surprise appearance at one point. Seriously though, go listen.

Coming up tomorrow: New video on either Cap and Trade or the Endangered Species Act. (I haven't quite made up my mind yet!)

The Zicam Debacle and Homeopathy Loophole

2009-07-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

What is up with Sarah Palin?

2009-07-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

The media is all asking themselves, what is up with Sarah Palin resigning as governor? Well, I happen to know the answer.

Ask the President

2009-03-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

I have previously mentioned how totally awesome David Colarusso is, but if you need a reminder, he was the brains behind the Community Counts and 10 Questions. Now he has partnered with the Nation and the Washington Times to bring us Ask the President. Ask the President is a new forum where any user can post a question via text or video that s/he would like to ask the president. The public then votes on the questions they most want to see President Obama answer. Ask the President will be sending a credentialed journalist to the next presidential press conference to ask the top questions directly to the Obama administration.

Here is the video I submitted asking Obama why he is taking so long to fulfill his promise to repeal our military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy.

If you like my question, go vote for it at Ask the President. Then, read/look at all the other questions and vote for other good ones. If you have a question you don't see already posted, go ahead and enter it. Who know, maybe the Obama administration will get a chance to respond to it. Hurry though, the press conference is this Tuesday.

Shameless Self Promotion

2009-02-18T17:59:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to promote two things of me that you can buy. Ok, that sounds a little weird when put that way, but you know what I mean.

First of all, if you're having a craving for some rockin music, you should consider buying the Pride of Arizona's new album Monkey Feet. Although I graduated back in 2006, I have played on every song the album (either french horn or cymbals depending on the song) which was recorded over the course of 4 years. The album is only $10 and the proceeds go to the UA Cancer Center.

The second thing I'd like to bring your attention to is the new Wapsi Square book by Paul Taylor, based on the online comic strip by the same name. I've been reading Wapsi Square for a couple years now and Paul Taylor asked me to write a short paragraph to be featured on the back cover of his new book. For proof, just click the book link and click the button that says "view back cover." If you're exceptionally lazy but still curious, here's my back-cover review of the book and comic:

Silly, Sexy, whimsical, and inspiring, Wapsi Square combines light-hearted adventure with sincerity and substance. Each girl’s life is a struggle to get along in the real world while simultaneously living in a fantastical environment where inner demons come to life and mystical situations abound.

Our hero, Monica, is a spunky anthropologist that has found herself at the center of a dark mystery that has spanned the centuries. Into this affair she drags her friends, like the strong and boisterous Shelly and the shy and introspective Katherine. If these characters seem like mere stereotypes, they are anything but. Every character has her own story and personality that shines through the artwork, creating something altogether completely authentic.

If you've never read the comics before, I actually don't suggest buying the book since it follows on a story line that has been going on for years. However, if you feel you have many hours to spare, I highly suggest heading over to Wapsi Square and flipping through the archives.

AZ Education Budget Cuts

2009-02-11T16:23:00.000-08:00

I actually filmed this a bit ago, but completely forgot to upload it. Ooops. Oh well, here it is now although it's getting a bit out of date.

(By the way, I am proud of myself for making it through this entire video without one one-liner making fun of ASU. It's truly an accomplishment.)

Some Outgoing Bush Humour

2009-01-21T19:08:00.000-08:00

Enjoy

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Final Message From the White House

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

By the way, I was listening to the inauguration broadcast via CNN radio (I was at work). CNN announced Yo Yo Ma's performance as a piece written by John Williams for the occasion. The piece, of course, was Copland's Appalachian Spring. I figure John Williams probably arranged this version and CNN just doesn't know the difference between composing and arranging, but I still think that CNN's remarks were funny considering John Williams' reputation for "borrowing" music from other composers.

The US Civil Service

2009-01-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

I've been extremely busy over the past few months with grad school applications. Now that I've got the last of them submitted, I figured I'd use some of my new-found free-time to make a video.

71 Degrees

2009-01-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

That's the high today in this beautiful January in Tucson. I'm going to miss this next winter.

Oh, Minnesota

2008-12-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

Have you been wondering what all the fuss is with the recount in the Minnesota senatorial race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken? This website lists a sample of some of the ballots that are under contention. It even lets you vote on who you think the vote should go to for each ballot. Although some are rather obvious, on others it is impossible to figure out just who the person filling out the ballot meant to vote for. It really puts this whole recount thing in perspective.

Who do I think won the Minnesota race? I'm going with Lizard People.

(via VSL)

Now for something completely off topic...

2008-12-08T19:20:00.001-08:00

Arizona is going to the Vegas Bowl!!

WOOOO!!!

Viva Las Vegas, Baby!

Post-Election Commentary

2008-11-24T12:58:00.003-08:00

One Day More

2008-11-03T19:47:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys,

I know I disappeared, but I'm still here, I'm just really, really busy. Like crazy busy. Anyways, as it is the night before the election, I thought I'd post this letter a friend of mine wrote to John McCain and that I found rather hilarious. I noticed that there have been some similar ones that have cropped up lately, but I can assure you all that my friend wrote this piece within a week of McCain announcing Sarah Palin as his running mate. Enjoy!

Dear Sen. McCain:

I am writing to you to let you know that I would like to throw my hat in as a candidate for your Presidential Cabinet. I believe that I am supremely qualified to be in your cabinet. After your bold selection of Sarah Palin as your Vice Presidential running mate I feel that I too can bolster your image. Just like Gov. Palin I have sold things on eBay at a profit, but not really. As Secretary of State I would sell Air Force One to the highest bidder, we don’t need that polluting jet flying the leader of the free world to important events. I also, plan on cooking flapjacks and bacon on Mondays, that way we can fire the White House cooking staff.

Not to sound competitive with Gov. Palin and diminish her accomplishments of being able to drive, but I go beyond driving myself to work – I car pool. If I were to be Secretary of Transportation, I promise to drive everyone to work personally. Also, since Air Force One will have been sold, I promise to paddle Canoe One to Europe and Asia.

I also have Executive experience. Being the Co-head of my household I have established cost-cutting measures like running the air-conditioner at higher temperatures and taking showers with my wife. Which brings us to the issue of family values, I can assure you my friend that there will be no teenage pregnancy controversies with my family. You see, our dog is neutered because we adopted him from the Human Society (also, Bob Barker said it was the right thing to do, even though I don’t listen to those “Hollywood Liberals”).

Although I have never been to a foreign country, Tucson is near the Mexican border, which makes me completely qualified on both international and immigration reform. If selected I plan on eventually getting a foreign visa.

I must also talk about my experiences with the corrupt weeds my back yard. I have worked countless hours fighting them pulling them out, spraying them with weed killer. So, you see I have fought against corruption at home. I can take that experience and fight corruption in Washington. I think we should bring goats back to the White House lawn, another cost-fighting measure.

I promise to fight against the liberal media that has lovingly called you a Maverick. How dare they! Whenever something wrong happens during this campaign we will blame the elitist east coast politicians like Mitt Romney and cosmopolitan politicians like Giuliani. I will also blame everything on the previous liberal administration of the last eight years.

So, as you can see I have executive experience, a record of fighting corruption in my own backyard and International/Border security policy knowledge. I promise to fight against the bills that you sponsored and to continue the Bush administration’s policy errors. If you are interested in a staunch proponent of hypocrisy please feel free to talk to my friends, but not the people I work for, they might say something bad about me. Besides we want it to be a surprise. Lastly, you can put lipstick on a pit bull, but in the end, it’s still a dog.

Sincerely,

Ty Deyoe

P.S. after you nominate me I’m going to need some time by myself to understand what the position entails. Also, I don’t want to talk to the media for at least a week, those elitist bastards!

USPS

2008-08-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

I ordered something recently and have been waiting for it to come in the mail. Unfortunately, this is what my current package tracking looks like:

Est. in Home 07/30/2008
Date Time Description Location
July 31, 2008 1:55 PM Sortation Center Departure DALLAS, TX
July 28, 2008 9:03 PM Sortation Center Arrival DALLAS, TX
July 24, 2008 9:27 PM Sortation Center Arrival PHOENIX, AZ
July 24, 2008 6:49 AM Sortation Center Departure DALLAS, TX
July 23, 2008 5:14 PM Sortation Center Arrival DALLAS, TX
July 23, 2008 4:15 PM Pickup CARROLLTON, TX

What the hell? It made it all the way to Phoenix and then was sent back to Texas?

(By the way...I've just learned that my air conditioning only works well up to about 105 outside. When we start hitting 110 no matter how much I run the AC I just can't get my apartment under 82 degrees. I am so going to maintenance tomorrow)

Housing

2008-07-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

It was the most used word in congress yesterday. Check out Capitol Words for an entire calendar going back to 2000 stating what the most used word of the day was for each session of congress. It's funny sometimes and worrying at others, but definitely a neat minimalist way to view the state of the country in the last 8 years. VSL pointed out that Sept 2001 was rather interesting. For those of you who don't want to bother to scroll back that far (unfortunately the website doesn't let you skip around, as far as I can tell) here it is:

Sept 10, 2001: Available
Sept 11, 2001: World
Sept 12, 2001: Nation
Sept 13, 2001: Terrorist
Sept 14, 2001: War

Rather interesting, no?

(Via VSL)