Archy on the state of US politics:
One aspect of the polarization of American politics over the last decade or so, is that politics is mostly a grim and unpleasant business. It’s hard to measure the long-term practical effects of groups like the Kabouters, Yippies, and Merry Pranksters. One thing that is certain is that they made the whole process of politics a little more entertaining. I think that’s a good thing. And along the way they occasionally came up with some simple optimistic ideas. I’m not sure what kind of people came up with the metro book project in Mexico City, but I would like to see more of this kind of thing in the States. This is the kind of activity third parties need to engage in to gain legitimacy, not quixotic runs at the presidency.