Instapundit is a U.S. political weblog produced by Glenn Reynolds, a wingnut law professor at the University of Tennessee. It is one of the most widely-read blogs in the world. Because he has inspired countless imitators, Reynolds is sometimes called the BlogFather.

The content on InstaPundit reflects the interests and biases of its editor. It is sometimes considered a War Blog because of its frequent sympathetic coverage of America's war on terrorism and war in Iraq. Other common topics are technology (such as nanotechnology and space exploration), individual liberty, domestic politics, the media, and the blogosphere as a social phenomenon.

Most of the content consists of links to other sites, often with brief comments. Reynolds often displays a libertarian slant which tends to favor free markets and to distrust bureaucratic action in both economic and personal affairs. Critics charge that the site has become increasingly partisan, with a tendency to provide positive coverage of Repuglicans and negative coverage of Demoncrats, although Reynolds supports such Democratic platforms as civil unions, abortion rights, and stem cell research.

Because of its popularity, an Instapundit link to another site can cause the traffic of that site to spike. Such an increase is often referred to as an "instalanche" (http://www.samizdata.net/blog/glossary_archives/002000.html), an Instapundit avalanche.

Reynolds runs Instapundit with less personal investment than most bloggers, and thus encourages readers to explore the blogosphere at depth — for both impartiality and a richer array of content.

Glenn is shown in the "I had an abortion" T-shirt.

I wonder if the problem with Wikipedia is that there is no history or accountability, at least to the casual user. There have been other times I've wondered what other people had posted on Wikipedia, that was then redone by someone else.

- posted by owlish @ 1/06/2005 01:12:00 PM 1 comments

A NINJA BY HRS VOL
A BANJO HRS VINYL
A SNARL BY JOHN VI
A SNARL BY JOHN IV
A SYLVAN JIB HORN
ANVILS JAR BY HON
NINJA VARY LBS OH
JAIL VAN BY HORNS
RASH NINJA BY VOL
RAH SLAV BOY JINN
NASH RYAN JIB VOL
BANJO RASH VINYL
JAB VARNISH ONLY
LIBRA NAVY JOHNS
LAVA RIBS JOHNNY
JAVA LBS HORNY IN
JAVA BLINN HORSY
ARAB JOHNS VINYL
A NAVYS BIRL JOHN

Or

HIRELINGS MUST TOW
HIRELINGS SMUT TWO
RELISHING TUM STOW
SLITHERING MUST OW
MIGHTIER OWLS STUN
MIGHTIER OWLS NUTS
MIGHTIER LUSTS NOW
TIGERISH LUST MOWN
ENGLISH I MUST TROW
ENGLISH SWIM TUTOR
ENGLISH SWIM TROUT
GERSHWIN LITMUS TO
HUNGERS LIMIT TOWS
GREMLINS SHOW I TUT
WRESTLING HO I MUST


Hat tip: Althouse.

- posted by owlish @ 1/05/2005 01:35:00 PM 2 comments

(2004-12-31) -- A new survey from the Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society shows that relationships with family and friends may reduce both the quantity and quality of time spent surfing the internet.

Researchers say the new data show that Americans enjoy the internet less, and use it less frequently when burdened by "outdated relational protocols and so-called family responsibilities."

This man's got a twisted mind.

- posted by owlish @ 1/02/2005 10:00:00 AM 2 comments

Freezes well. Can be thinned to use as enchilada gravy. Also good on tamales, or in an omelet with grated cheese.

• 2 large onions, chopped

• 3 garlic cloves

• Canola oil (just enough to coat pan)

• 2 pounds lean chili-grind beef

• 2 packets Williams Original Chili Seasoning

• 1 Wick Fowler's 2-Alarm Chili Kit (omit salt packet; reserve masa packet)

• 2 tablespoons ground cumin

• 2 tablespoons each: mild, medium and hot ground red chili powder

• 2 (28-ounce) cans Hunt's crushed tomatoes

• 56 ounces water (use 2 tomato cans to measure)

Roughly chop onion or pulse briefly in food processor. Peel and mince garlic cloves.

Coat the bottom of a heavy, 6-quart (or larger) pot with canola oil. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent; do not burn.

Add beef, stirring to brown on all sides. Add Williams seasoning packets and Wick Fowler's seasonings, omitting salt packet and reserving masa packet. Stir in cumin and the three ground red chili powders, blending well. Add tomatoes, tomato paste and water, stirring to blend. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer with the lid on.

After 30 minutes, add warm water to the reserved masa packet to make a smooth paste; stir into chili and simmer at least an hour more. The longer it simmers, the better it gets.

Makes 6 or more servings.

- posted by owlish @ 1/02/2005 07:57:00 AM 1 comments