Books reviews, current events, and other musings

 
I removed comments from Julian's Jabberings, since the commenting system was slowing down access to the blog.
posted by Julian at 11:25 AM

 
A New Republic article argues, based on demographic factors, that the Democrats will achieve political gains in the future (from Plastic):

Over the past decade not only have Democrats won back some white, working-class voters who deserted them during the '70s and '80s, but they have forged a new coalition that includes three groups: women (especially working, single, and highly educated women), minorities, and professionals--all of whom are growing as a portion of the electorate.

While a growing Democratic majority would be a nice development, I'm somewhat skeptical of the article's projections. In the history of US politics, demographic changes have had a secondary, though significant, impact. Specific events, such as wars, economic conditions, and social issues, exert a greater influence on voting patterns. Also, as the beliefs and concerns of the populace evolve, the political parties alter their platforms and candidates. Consequently, the two parties maintain comparable popular support.

However, the article's description of the current electoral demographics rang true with my observations. In particular, the article discussed college-educated professionals, who tend to vote Democratic. That description fits me and the people who I hang out with quite accurately. Most news stories about electoral leanings emphasize other groups, such as soccer moms and the traditional-values crowd. It's strangely satisfying to read how my political tendencies coincide with those of a major demographic niche.
posted by Julian at 7:05 PM

 
I installed commenting functionality on Julian's Jabberings, through the easy-to-use, and free, Netcomments. Now let's see what, if anything, the outside world thinks about my jabberings.
posted by Julian at 6:58 PM

 
Salon has an interesting review of the Left Behind series, books that make me back away, shaking my head, when I encounter them in a bookstore (from Red Rock Eater Digest):

"The Remnant," which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, is the 10th entry in Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye's phenomenally popular "Left Behind" series, a Tom Clancy-meets-Revelation saga of the Rapture, the Tribulation and, presumably, the eventual return of Jesus. Last year's "Desecration," the ninth volume of a projected 14, was 2001's bestselling hardcover novel.
...
The Left Behind books chronicle those seven years -- known to Christians as the Tribulation -- as a ragtag group of new believers form the "Tribulation Force" to thwart the murderous plans of Nicolae Carpathia, the U.N.-leader-cum-prince-of-darkness (often just called "the evil one," Osama bin Laden-style). Carpathia's rise is engineered by a cabal of bankers. He's supported by Israeli liberals enthralled by his devious promises of peace, and a Democratic American president sells out the country to Carpathia's one-world government. Meanwhile, the Tribulation Force finds a spiritual leader in Tsion Ben-Judah, a rabbi and former Israeli statesman who realizes the error of his Jewish ways and becomes a guerrilla media evangelist.

It seems bizarre, and scary, that so many Americans read that stuff and take it seriously. Those people don't appear to be living in the same world that I do. The worst part is that many powerful conservatives, who have a major influence on the Bush administration, view those books as a spiritual guide.
posted by Julian at 9:58 PM