Convenience Sampling

My personal proposal is the policy we need
(I asked my friends and family, and every one agreed)
I need a larger sample? Well, there’s nothing wrong with that—
Again, complete agreement with my views. (I asked my cat.)

Headline Muse, 6/28

Though I feel like a bit of a leech
With true honor just out of my reach
Screw my own pallid pallor
I’ll snatch stolen valor…
Which the SCOTUS now says is free speech!

Headline: Supreme Court rejects ‘Stolen Valor’ law, says lying about military honors isn’t a crime

The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a federal law that makes it a crime to lie about being a military hero. In fact, the justices ruled that many lies are protected by the First Amendment.

The 6-3 ruling came in a case involving Xavier Alvarez, a former local elected official who at a 2007 water board meeting in Southern California falsely claimed that he had served as a Marine and received a Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration. As Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote for the majority, “Lying was his habit.”

I’ll have to polish my medals.

Dressing Conservatively

A conservative t-shirt, I’d always been told
Would be simple, and muted in color–not bold.
It wouldn’t have pictures, or writing or such,
Or at most just a bit on the pocket–not much.
Conservative dress meant a suit and a tie,
In the cold of December or heat of July;
Your shoes were well-shined and your trousers were pressed,
And that was the way that conservatives dressed.

At least, that’s the tale I’d been told all along–
Till today, when I find out I’m totally wrong… [Read more…]