Assembled links:

- I too never understood why “scumbag” is such a bad word. I mean, I understand it intellectually, but I don’t think anyone my age (30) has ever known it by its original definition. Reminds me of the controversy, somewhere in the mid-’90s, when some TV character used the phrase “That sucks” and some old fuddy-duddies complained that the networks were promoting fellatio. “That sucks” long lost any sexual overtones for most folks my age or younger.

On the other hand, I was recently convinced to stop using “gypped” as a negative term. I hadn’t made any conscious connection between the verb and Gypsies/Roma, but it is pretty clear in retrospect.

- I have the traditional indie-boy suspicion of guitar solos, but I’ll always make an exception for Stevie Ray.

- 100 reasons to love Rasheed Wallace. And I do, despite his anger issues. (I also love Barry Bonds. Hmmmm.)

My only interaction with Rasheed came a few years ago, when I scored floor tickets to a Mavericks-Blazers game here in Dallas. My seat was in the front row, right under the basket. There were some kids sitting nearby from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, and during TV time outs, Rasheed would come over and play catch with the kids, swapping bounce passes with eight-year-olds. It was incredibly charming and a really nice thing to do — the kids loved it. Go Rasheed.

- “Gracious Knows These Trousers Bind.”

- Russians detain American journalist. Kelly McEvers was in Dagestan on the same fellowship I went to Zambia on back in ‘03.

10 April 2006

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