Author Archives: Monotreme

About Monotreme

Monotreme is an unabashedly liberal dog lover, writer, and former scientist who now teaches at a University in an almost-square state out West somewhere. http://www.logarchism.com | http://www.sevendeadlysynapses.com

In This Corner…Mitt Romney

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Monotreme

2012 Contender Series: Willard Mitt Romney or … Dreams from My Father MittRomney.com is live! On Monday, April 11, 2011, “Mitt” Romney announced the formation of an exploratory committee to help him pursue the Republican nomination for President of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Contender Series | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Fukushima: Second Worst Nuclear Disaster Ever

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Monotreme

Japan’s nuclear power agency has raised the threat level from the Fukushima disaster to level 7, the highest possible level and tied with Chernobyl. The amount of iodine-131 released is about 10% of that released in the Chernobyl disaster, according … Continue reading →

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Donald Doubles Down

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Monotreme

Confronted with evidence, what does maybe-perhaps-sorta-Presidential candidate Donald Trump do? Well, he doubles down. His letter to the New York Times is a masterpiece of fantasy, somehow both paranoid and narcissistic in equal measure. First, Gail Collins writes a column … Continue reading →

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Free Forum Friday April 8 Edition

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Monotreme

It has been a busy week for political junkies. Shades of Florida 2000 and Minnesota 2008: a closely watched and critically important election in Wisconsin is going into extra innings. Meanwhile, a government shutdown is almost certain as of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Forum Friday | 62 Comments

Nate Silver: Budget Politics in the Doldrums

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Monotreme

Those of you who have been missing Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight columns since the New York Times went behind a (partial) paywall might want to spend one of your 20 “free” ganders at his latest column, “Budget Politics in the Doldrums.” With … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 140 Comments

Glenn Beck and Fox News Channel Announce Divorce

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Monotreme

Glenn Beck and the Fox News Channel have announced that they are divorcing. It’s not clear at this point why. Feel free to contribute your speculation, eulogies, or gloating in the comments below. Related Articles  Glenn Back to ‘Transition off’ … Continue reading →

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E Uterus Unum

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Monotreme

Florida State Rep. Scott Randolph (D-Orlando) is frustrated with the 18 bills regulating abortion being considered by the Florida State Legislature. He feels that the legislative priorities are misplaced when Florida’s economy, like much of the nation’s, is in disarray. … Continue reading →

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Rep. Gabrielle Giffords: Lessons About Traumatic Brain Injury

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Monotreme

“You’re never the same once the air hits your brain.” — Bitter neurosurgeon’s joke, source unknown After dipping my toe in the water with Saturday’s micro-post, I was convinced by the readers of this blog that a “teachable moment” exists … Continue reading →

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Meltdown

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Monotreme

Many people are concerned about possible exposure to radiation as a result of a potential meltdown in the Fukushima reactors. I’ve only got time for a quick cut here, and will say more in the comments below if asked, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 49 Comments

Is It Appropriate?

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Monotreme

On January 8, 2011, U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was shot in the head by alleged gunman Jared Laughner. For our quick-cut Saturday pieces, one of the other moderators asked me (quite reasonably) to write a few words about her recovery, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments