New at Reason

David Weigel celebrates the novel political popularity of opposing unchecked surveillance.

Comments

Ernest Hemingway | January 19, 2006, 5:03pm | #

Absinthe has inspired the works of:

- Vincent Van Gogh
- Picasso
- Ernest Hemingway
- Edgar Degas
- Oscar Wilde
- Johnny Depp?????

What the fuck? And why am I third on the list? Van Gogh was a loon, and Picasso was an asshole.

Native NYer | January 19, 2006, 5:03pm | #

I'm just a bill! Great picture!

Number 6 | January 19, 2006, 5:04pm | #

It's the strongest, most satisfying evidence yet that Americans are coming back to their pre-9/11 ideas about freedom and privacy.

That'd be interesting if:
1) There was any reason to believe it.
2) Americans gave a damn about privacy and freedom before 9/11.

Pablo P | January 19, 2006, 5:05pm | #

EH-And you were a drunk who pissed away your talent. What's your point?

MayDay72 | January 19, 2006, 5:29pm | #

"Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole!" -The Burning Sensations

Greg Mills | January 19, 2006, 5:44pm | #

"Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole!" -The Burning Sensations

That'd be the Modern Lovers. Good cover though.

MayDay72 | January 19, 2006, 6:44pm | #

That'd be the Modern Lovers. Good cover though. -Greg Mills

Thanks. I kinda thought that song was a cover but my only exposure to it was from the Burning Sensations version on the Repo Man soundtrack. I guess that I could have done some research...

joshua corning | January 19, 2006, 6:49pm | #

In the nation's capital the PATRIOT vote was seen as a Christmas gift to George Bush from Democrats who commit political suicide as if they enjoy it.

yeah i got nothin'. I just really lke this line...not sure i agree with it but it still gave me a chuckle.

van | January 19, 2006, 7:27pm | #

Hey, I didn't know it was a cover either.

How about these Adam and the Ants lyrics -- I'm guessing ol' Stu is no fan of yours, Pablo. Neither does he really make much sense to me, but this song always made me laugh.

See the Spaniard eating chocolates
See the Spaniard have a ball
See the Spaniard trust in no one
He's on Quality Street
He's on Quality Street

As the masters rot on walls
And the angels eat their grapes
I watched Picasso (aha)
Visit The Planet Of The Apes
As the masters rot on walls
And the angels eat their grapes
I watched Picasso (aha)
Pablo Picasso (aha)
Visit The Planet Of The Apes (yeah)

BTW, I will be really, really mad when I'm no longer able to find song lyrics online. It's one of my truest, most favorite things about the internet.

And to comment on the actual subject here, I'm not so sure Americans cared about privacy and freedom before 9/11 either, but at least they've been reminded that it should be of interest to them. Any effects are likely to be short-lived though.

Madog | January 19, 2006, 10:45pm | #

I'm sure some Russian hackers will put up a website or three with lyrics if they shut them down here in the US. Of course, they'll be filled with dubious Russian porn ads in the margins....

Ernest Hemingway | January 20, 2006, 10:18am | #

In my unpublished sequel to A Moveable Feast (working title: A Moveable Bowel), I recount a dinner I had with Picasso, Gertrude Stein, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Juan Belmonte. Picasso got drunk and bothered Miss Stein so much that she slugged him. He fell to the ground like a gored matador and didn't rise for two days. Disgusting.

Alcohol wasn't my problem. It was those bitches I married and the two plane crashes. I mean, one plane crash is bad enough, but to have the plane that rescues you crash, well, that's a damned trying experience.

By the way, you're all wrong about Jake Barnes. He had jock itch.

SR | January 20, 2006, 12:01pm | #

"Of course, they'll be filled with dubious Russian porn ads in the margins...."

How are they "dubious"?

Russian Porn Stars | January 20, 2006, 1:43pm | #

We are dubious American men please us and our large Russian breasts properly.

Want to get married? We make good wife.

Russian Porn Stars | January 20, 2006, 1:50pm | #

And we look good in shower.