Sense and Nonsense

Populism Redux

David Brooks has an interesting column in today's New York Times, in which he links current conservative unrest to the long history of populist turbulence in this country.  I don't agree with his sense that the current trouble is not about race, but his argument about this tie to our populist past is compelling. 

U.S. Population Growth & Migration

Here's a really cool interactive map showing changes in American population over time -- decade by deacade, from 1790 to 2000.

American Economic Development

We've taken a look at this history before.  But it's good to be reminded.  God bless America.



Duck and Cover

Here's a trip down Nostalgia Lane for those of you in your later 50s or older.  It's one of the famous "Duck and Cover" films, produced by the Civilian Defense Administration in the early 1950s and aimed at teaching you how to survive a nuclear attack.  Of course, we know now that is laughably preposterous.  They'd have done a much better public service by producing a "Gumby" video, teaching everyone how to be flexible enough to "kiss your ass good-bye."

And, for those of you 45 and younger: maybe this film help explain why at least some of your elders are screwed up.

44 Presidents

Watch the faces of our 44 presidents morph from one to the next. Very well done.

A Job Well Done

Click to enlarge.