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Yes, and now a tsunami warning too...

Bit, did you read the Goldberg piece? I started it, then got interrupted, so my reactions now are limited, but I do appreciate an analysis of the role of irony in our culture's downturn.

Southwest part of the island. It may affect Timor or northern Australia. The coast of Papua on that side is mostly swamps and cannibals.

Personally, and you can form your own opinion from the article, I think Jonah gets it all wrong on this one.

Irony is supposed to reinforce a point or a belief, or at least illuminate why they exist. And irony certainly has not 'permeated the foundations of our political system' -- because if it had, then John Bolton would be SecState right now (it being ironic that the right guy actually got put in the right job for once ;-)).

No, what permeates our culture is cynicism. It is cynicism that makes Nancy Pelosi think that having a comedian make a total mockery of a serious issue counts as actually dealing with it. It is cynicism that also makes her say things like 'we need to pass the bill so you can see what's in it' -- knowing full well that she is breaking house rules as well as mocking the legislative process. And it is cynicism that makes Nobama think he can make one random visit to church and toss off a few stray comments about biblical parables (ones that he has never taken the time to either understand or get right in their context) to demonstrate his 'committment' to his 'Christian' 'religion'.

They show utter contempt for us because they think we're all insufferably stupid and because they despise being required to subject themselves to the ignominy of re-election every so often, having to prostrate themselves before us for reaffirmation of what they think is their divine right to positions of power. Cynicism is their standard response when the rabble needs to hear from them.

Except it ain't workin' this year. In contrast to the Overweening Obama and the despicable Speaker, people are taking charge in their own personal lives: They are supporting their troops, they're economizing, saving instead of spending, paying down debt big-time (reversing a 60-year trend!), trying to plan for the worst but hoping for the best -- everything that Congress and the Prez should be doing but can't bring themselves to stop their headlong dash to disaster.

So I think Jonah got it wrong -- it's cynicism, not irony, that's the problem, and it's cynicism that's on the way out this year. And it's about time. ;-))