Democracy. If we’re trying to make the world safe for democracy, wouldn’t it be better to infiltrate the black market than declare war? I kept thinking about it today: sneak cells of philanthropists, teachers, jounalists, and black marketeers into a country. That way, fundamentalists can scream about how godless the US is, but what everybody’s

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TV. Okay, here’s the deal. Any show I’ve watched at least three full episodes of is bolded: 247th HeavenAdam-12Alfred Hitchcock PresentsAliasAngelArrested DevelopmentBattlestar Galactica [1 and 2]BaywatchBeverly Hills 90210BonanzaBoy Meets WorldBuffy the Vampire SlayerBug JuiceChappelle’s ShowCharlie’s AngelsCharmedCheersColumboCommander in ChiefCouplingCowboy BebopCSI: MiamiCSI: NYCurb Your EnthusiasmDanny PhantomDawson’s CreekDead Like MeDeadwoodDegrassi: The Next GenerationDesperate HousewivesDoctor Who (not lately)EntourageEREverwoodFamily GuyFarscapeFather

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Rewards and Punishments. So, about a month ago, I had a good idea for a novel. At least, it was the kind of thing that I thought would be a good idea fora novel. So I wrote it. Finished it this afternoon. Don’t like the ending,* couple of big places that could stand some additional

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Fawlty Towers. The hotel that inspired the British TV comedy is getting renovated. “The character of Basil Fawlty was inspired by a former manager at the hotel; he gave John Cleese and the Monty Python team a frosty welcome when they booked in 1971. The ferocious host berated them for not holding their knives and

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The Art of Forgetting. Ever say a word over and over until it didn’t make sense anymore? I was doing just that today with a character name when I suddenly wondered what exactly happens to your brain when you do that. Do you unhook synapses or something? Do you make it so all references to

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