Sad but true

People sometimes ask what made me leave the East Coast and move to Seattle 20 years ago. I usually mumble something about not liking the cynical, jaded outlook on life so pervasive in the urban East.

In a recent Salon interview, British folk activist Billy Bragg articulates exactly what it was that got my goat and currently gets his:

A long time ago, I realized that the true enemy of those of us who wished to make a better world were not the conservatives -- neo or cultural -- nor the capitalists -- corporate or alternative -- but the cynics: Those who have given up and are trying to get everybody else to follow suit so they don't feel so bad about themselves.

Flame warriors

What type of Flame Warrior are you?

I love Silicon Valley Today, which today pointed readers to this hilarious taxonomy of classic online bullies and bozos, describing several dozen types of Flame Warriors. This humorous is site several cuts above the usual online cleverness, thanks to professional illustration similar to that of Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist David Horsey.

The "Bliss Ninny"? The "Blowhard"? The cringe-inducing "Yuk Yuk"? I've met them all. I like to think of myself as the "Big Cat."

The Oscars, Jon Stewart style

In case you skipped the Hollywood bloviating last night, this will give you an idea of Jon Stewart's hosting.