McCain on Geography.

Pop quiz! Where are all the terrorists in the Middle East?

I say we ask John McCain the same question. After all, he is the candidate the Republicans are trying to paint as the best choice for National Security.

There is a problem, however. John McCain has proven today that he truly doesn’t know what the hell is going on around him.

South African Language Policy

Normally, I post linguistics papers on my language-only blog, LINGUISTIquips. This particular paper, however, is more related to sociolinguistic aspects of language (a largely sociopolitical issue), and so I decided it was worthy of the pages of Crispy Quips.

I recently completed this paper for a class in Multilingualism at UC Davis. It’s got a few illustrations, so I’m providing it in PDF form instead of formatting it for the web.

The work is concerned with the language policy of South Africa, and how English seems to retain political dominance even though native languages (such as Zulu and Xhosa) are more commonly spoken. Do give it a read; it’s worth your time.

Click here for PDF: South African Language Policy

To Africa.

It’s not often that one finds religious quotation on Crispy Quips, but the other day I found a beautifully written piece by Bishop Catherine Roskam concerning western relations with Africa and the situation that much outside influence has created. A short quotation from this wonderful piece follows.

I am sorry, Africa.
Of all the places we have exploited - and we have exploited many - it is only from you that we have also stolen the people.

I would strongly encourage everyone to browse to “Blane,” a blog written by a Rhodesian which has a copy of Roskam’s transcript… amazingly appropriate considering that Rhodesia itself no longer exists due to the strife of Africa.

Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in California.

w00t!

Same-sex marriage has FINALLY been legalized in California. From the New York Times:

The California Supreme Court, striking down two state laws that had limited marriages to unions between a man and a woman, ruled on Thursday that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The 4-to-3 decision, drawing on a ruling 60 years ago that struck down a state ban on interracial marriage, would make California the second state, after Massachusetts, to allow same-sex marriages.

It’s about time! Separate-but-equal DOESN’T WORK… and it’s been proven time and again.

““This decision will give Americans the lived experience that ending exclusion from marriage helps families and harms no one,” said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, who noted that same-sex marriages were legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa and Spain. Opponents said they expected the proposed ballot initiative, which has been submitted to election officials with more than one million signatures, to pass in November.”

I’m proud to be Californian again… unless, of course, the religious bigots hell-bent on oppressing people who harm no one get their way. We can’t let that happen! Keep Same-sex marriage legal in California!!! Keep equal rights!!!

Bush to stop dangerous gasses.

It seems that President Bush is finally expected to announce a plan to stop greenhouse emissions. The announcement is expected tomorrow. This begs the question: will we finally sign the Kyoto Protocol?

I think not. This is President Bush, after all, the dumbest man on the planet. I think he plans to use Beano, or maybe destroy greenhouse gasses with his missile defense system.

His hands are finally cold.

In case you haven’t heard, actor Charleston Heston is dead, after 84 years. I’m sure the NRA is quite upset. I, on the other hand, couldn’t be happier.

Quote of the… uh, year.

I don’t often put up short little snippets of opinion-based goodness, but here’s a little quote from… well, me:

Conservatism is the imminent result of abundant amounts of two things: ignorance and snobbery.

There you are. Talk amongst yourselves.

Hillary gets desperate.

Quite frankly, it’s sad. There was a time that she had my support. But that was a long time ago, before she started taking advice from the playbook of Karl Rove, and turned herself from cool reformer to frigid bitch.

Her campaign is on its last legs, and she’s trying a desperate bid for pity votes in Texas and Ohio so that she won’t have to concede the nomination. What she doesn’t realize is this: it’s her negativity that lost her the top spot, and it’s the very same that’s digging her political grave.

Is Clinton finally dropping out?

It seems everyone who saw the debate last night between future President Barack Obama and the unelectable Hillary Clinton were puzzled by the latter’s comments at the end of the ordeal (from NYTimes.com):

“You know, no matter what happens in this contest, I am honored to be here with Barack Obama,” Mrs. Clinton said, extending her hand toward his, then resting it near him on the table. “I am absolutely honored,” she said again, looking at him, whereupon he took her hand and, with his other hand, reach around her for a quick half embrace. The audience started applauding. “You know, whatever happens, we’re going to be fine,” she said, the audience now on its feet in a standing ovation.

The opinion of many people on both sides of the debate? Hillary just conceded the nomination.

The next scandal? John McCain.

John McCain is trying desperately to shift public focus from his alleged unethical activities to the reporting practices of the New York Times, after that newspaper published a story detailing the supposed actions of McCain and a former lobbyist.

According to the Times, McCain had a relationship with a lobbyist during his last campaign, and this relationship bordered on that of romance. If this allegation is true, it would certainly put a dent in McCain’s “good ol’ boy” image that he’s trying so hard to project.