George Lakoff: Moral Politics : How Liberals and Conservatives Think
An in-depth discussion not only about what liberals and conservatives think, but why they think the way they do.
Ivo H. Daalder: America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy
Word Origin of the DayToday's "Word Origin of the Day" is the word "curtain."
"Curtain" arrived in English via Middle English, the earlier form being curtine. This, in turn, was borrowed from Old french, both arising from the Latin cors, meaning "enclosure." "Drapes," a synonym, arose from the root word drap in Old French, meaning "cloth."
Source: 2004 The Word Origin Calendar
Word Origin of the DayToday's "Word Origin of the Day" is the word "vivid."
The influential Latin verb vivere ultimately is responsible for this word in English. From it came the verb vividus, meaning "lively," which developed into the adjective form "vivid" in English. Other English terms springing from this life form include "vivisection," survive," "vitality," and "revival."
Source: 2004 The Word Origin Calendar
Word Origin of the DayToday's "Word Origin of the Day" is the word "tank."
The reason that a tracked military vehicle is called a "tank" comes from a cover story concocted to keep the development of this weapon a secret during World War I in England. The term was coined by British Colonel Ernest Swinton; workers were told that it was a portable water tank for use in the desert.
Source: 2004 The Word Origin Calendar
Word Origin of the DayToday's "Word Origin of the Day" is the word "Albuquerque."
Founded by Spanish explorers in 1706, the town was named San Felipe de Alburquerque, in honor of Philip V of Spain, also know as the Duke of Alburquerque. The first "r" was dropped from the spelling some time later. The original Alburquerque is in western Spain near the Portugues border, in the province of Badajoz.
Source: 2004 The Word Origin Calendar
Word Origin of the WeekendThis weekend's "Word Origin of the Day" is the word "surveyor."
The French were early pioneers in the development of measurement systems for land area. Their language also generated this term, which came from the Middle-French words sur, meaning "over," and veoir, meaning "to look."
Source: 2004 The Word Origin Calendar
Word Origin of the DayToday's "Word Origin of the Day" is the expression "pork barrel." This one is particularly meaningful in light of the recent passage of the Congressional spending bill.
"Pork barrel" came into use as a political term in the post-Civil War era. It comes from the plantation practice of distributing rations of salt pork to slaves from wooden barrels. When used to describe a bill, it implies the legislation is loaded with special projects for Members of Congress to distribute to their constituents back home as an act of largesse, courtesy of the federal taxpayer.
Source: C-SPAN Congressional Glossary
Word Origin of the DayToday's "Word Origin of the Day" is the word "torso."
The trunk of the human body has an analogy to the stalk of a plant, or so thought the Romans. In the original Latin form, this word was thrysus, literally meaning "a stalk." In Italian this became torso, from which it passed into English.
Source: 2004 The Word Origin Calendar
Word Origin of the DayToday's "Word Origin of the Day" is the expression "raining cats and dogs."
It's one of the most common and colorful expressions in use, and it has been in use for a long time, possibly since the 1600s. Several explanations have been proposed, but the most likely is a literal description of the aftermath of a downpour, when rising water in city gutters would wash away the dead bodies of cats and dogs, in plentiful supply at the time.
Source: 2004 The Word Origin Calendar
Word Origin of the DayToday's "Word Origin of the Day" is the word "martyr."
The Greek martur was literally "a witness." This generated later forms of the word in Old French and Old English, eventually influenced by Christian traditions and used to refer to "those who performed special deeds in the name of this religion, specifically the sacrifice of life," as these martyrs were "witnesses" on behalf of their faith.
Source: 2004 The Word Origin Calendar
Word Origin of the DayToday's "Word Origin of the Day" is the word "wolverine."
A ferocious, fearless predator, the "wolverine" got its name from another noted hunter, the wolf, even though "wolverines" are notably solitary and wolves are characterized by their pack behavior.
Source: 2004 The Word Origin Calendar
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Fred I. Greenstein: The George W. Bush Presidency: An Early Assessment
Excellent "real-time" early analysis of the Bush presidency by a wide range of presidential scholars. The chapters relating to foreign policy and the economy are particularly enlightening. A must-read for all those who want to be fully informed in time for the upcoming presidential election. (*****)
Hermann Hesse: Siddhartha: A New Translation
Hesse's masterpiece in audiobook format. One of the most inspirational works I have ever encountered. I highly recommend it to anyone who has the slightest interest in introspection and philosophical thought. (*****)
Kenneth M. Pollack: The Threatening Storm: The Case for Invading Iraq
Although his analysis turned out to be wrong (based upon incorrect intelligence), his discussion of Hussein was very interesting and provided much historical perspective. (****)
Richard A. Clarke: Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror
Riveting account of the war on terror during the Bush I, Clinton and Bush II administrations. A "must read" for anybody who wants to be informed on what is going on in the world today. (*****)
Stephen P Turner: Liberal Democracy 3.0 : Civil Society in an Age of Experts
Interesting premise... public debate is being severely limited. Many of the decisions on important issues of the day are being made by experts because the issues are too complicated for the common man to debate, or even understand. (****)
Thomas L. Friedman: Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11
(*****)
Thomas L. Friedman: The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization
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