How Beer Gave Us Civilization
Posted in Main Blog (All Posts) on March 17th, 2013 11:08 pm by HL
How Beer Gave Us Civilization
Jeffrey Kahn, New York Times Magazine
HUMAN beings are social animals. But just as important, we are socially constrained as well.We can probably thank the latter trait for keeping our fledgling species alive at the dawn of man. Five core social instincts, I have argued, gave structure and strength to our primeval herds. They kept us safely codependent with our fellow clan members, assigned us a rank in the pecking order, made sure we all did our chores, discouraged us from offending others, and removed us from this social coil when we became a drag on shared resources.Thus could our ancient forebears cooperate, prosper, multiply…
At CPAC, a Truce on Culture Wars
Elahe Izadi, National Journal
At the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference, then-Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels famously discussed his support of a “social truce,” for putting issues like abortion and gay marriage on the back burner in favor of focusing on the economy and fiscal issues.That didn't go over so well with conservatives back then. But two years later at CPAC, the former governor's controversial advice has been largely adopted, even if disagreements on hot-button social issues are simmering just below the surface.
My Unrecognizable Democratic Party
Ted Van Dyk, Wall Street Journal
As a lifelong Democrat, I have a mental picture these days of my president, smiling broadly, at the wheel of a speeding convertible. His passengers are Democratic elected officials and candidates. Ahead of them, concealed by a bend in the road, is a concrete barrier. They didn't have to take that route. Other Democratic presidents have won bipartisan support for proposals as liberal in their time as some of Mr. Obama's are now. Why does this administration seem so determined to head toward a potential crash and burn?Enlarge ImageEven after the embarrassing playout of the…
Living Under a Royal Presidency
Jack Kelly, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
For the first time in more than half a century, “the average American is both earning less and worth less than four years earlier,” The New York Times reported last June. Total household net worth is nearly 7 percent below what it had been in 2007, the Federal Reserve estimated then. Per capita income in 2008 was $40,947. It rose to $41,560 in 2011 (1.5 percent). But because inflation rose more than that, purchasing power declined.What have been hard times for most Americans have been boom times for the federal government. Since FY 2008, spending has risen 25 percent.And good times…
Instead of Madness, We’ve Got March Sadness
Dave Kindred, Wash Post
