Meet the Blog Roll: Episode I

So. I'm developing a readership of more than four, it would seem.

Folks, allow me to introduce you to my theory of web-use: I call it, "My Practice." I think this gives it a nicely dignified tone--much moreso than "surfing," yet still more obfuscatory than "wasting time." To help you, dear reader, make better use of this site (now, no doubt, your go-to source for witty commentary and information on a wide variety of topics), I'm pleased to begin a new series called (wait for it):

"Meet the Blog Roll."

In this series, we will explore my blog roll, located (this week) on the right hand side of your screen and broken into two sections: "Friends of the Dummy" (that would be yrs. truly) and "Blogs and Websites I Like." Friends are, well, friends. Let me know if you reject the honor. Similarly, if you feel slighted by being on the "Like" list, take heart. I just don't know you personally yet.

First up: a newly re-united friend of mine: Pop Argot.

Fair Allegheny, yonder on the Hill
Through all the years, our hearts are turning still
In love to thee, and so they ever will
O Alma Mater, Beatissima!

Much to our joint dismay, Pop and I share a college. He found me through Facebook -- a newfangled web-based thing that actually seems to work occasionally. Pop authors Baby I've Been Thinking. Topic? Pop Music. Very well done commentary on his search for good pop, and close critiques of the gems he unearths. Here's a representative excerpt:

Alice Cooper found a clever little niche for himself in the mid-'70s when, having realized he could move seamlessly from the shock-horror to the Hollywood Squares crowds (OK, the Squares were their own kind of shock-horror), he applied the same cross-generational techniques to his music, resulting in stuff like "Welcome to My Nightmare" that was equally at home in a dank rathskeller or on The Muppet Show.

Unlike your correspondent, Pop has the wisdom to keep his posts in tight little packages for easy digestion. I suspect that's due to his day job, which gives additional outlet for writing that mine does not. Enjoy a visit to Baby I've Been Thinking when you tire of the trash Clear Channel is pawning off on you as pop music. Pick up a few leads that lead away from the dreck: go to the light.

Speaking of the light (and keep this post from becoming too much so), Lux et Veritas:

Balkinization is, as the subtitle states, "An unintended consequence of Jack Balkin." Jack is a Professor of Law at Yale Law School who apparently doesn't have enough to do. (I kid, I kid.) This is a great place to visit if you're at all interested in the legal matter of the moment, at least in part because it is much, much more than one man's ramblings (admittedly, a very learned man). Professor Balkin has attracted a panel of contributors that represent some of the finest legal scholars from around the country (though not yet my personal faves, Akhil Amar and David Williams).

Certainly, for the interested layman or practitioner Balkinization will provide ample food for thought on FISA, Habeas Corpus and detainees, internet neutrality, prosecutorial ethics, or DOJ packing. And that's just in the last 3 days. You should make it a stop every time a legal question hits the news cycle.

Given the state of the nation, every day would be a good start.

Tune in next time for another exciting episode of Meet the Blog Roll: improve your "practice."

Cheers,
Jim