The pride of New Jersey takes on IBM's Watson - and wins!
There are a lot of smart people on Capitol Hill. But none of them can claim quite the same brainy bragging rights as Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.).
On Monday, Holt beat IBM's super-computer, known as Watson, at a round of "Jeopardy!" at the Liaison Capitol Hill, part of an event organized by IBM.
OK, he's a Democrat, but we are putting parochial state pride ahead of petty partisn posturing.
FWIW, Holt was not a bad bet in this match-up:
To be fair, Holt is not your average congressman, especially not when it comes to trivia. He's a five-time "Jeopardy!" champion and a nuclear physicist, to boot.
Typical Jersey boy.
When I hear the term "social justice" I reach for my revolver.
Why aren't those who use it satisfied with merely calling for "justice," which would seem to serve quite nicely in every circumstance? The reason is that, with the addition of their little curlicue, they mean something quite different from plain old justice. They mean "gimme gimme gimme, I am here seeking rent and you owe it to me."
Posted by: Danube of Thought | March 02, 2011 at 09:41 AM
When I hear the term "social justice" I reach for my revolver.
The old line about putting "social" in front of something giving you the exact opposite comes to mind.
"social justice" == injustice
"social studies" == ignorance
"social security" == poverty
Posted by: Rob Crawford | March 02, 2011 at 09:45 AM
I did leave off one warning sign, didn't I?
"Next thing you know, they'll be applying laws differently based on the race of the accus..."
*sigh*
Posted by: Rob Crawford | March 02, 2011 at 09:49 AM
A little humor re fleebaggers from Philadelphia Inquirer (LUN) "Help for lawmakers on the lam"
Posted by: henry | March 02, 2011 at 09:49 AM
I see, JiB. well, My remark was a bit snotty in any event.
DoT, Once again I'm with you. How crazy is Seattle? Why would any sane person choose to live there?
Posted by: clarice | March 02, 2011 at 09:50 AM
--How about that 3M CEO saying Canada and Mexico are better for business than America?
Maybe he and Joe the Fake Plumber can make up the 2012 Tea Party presidential ticket.
Why are identity conservatives so vocal about how much they hate America?--
Kind of funny that an identity idiot is more offended that a businessman speaks an inconvenient truth than the fact that Mexico, MEXICO, is now perceived as a more business friendly place than the US.
Posted by: Ignatz | March 02, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Why do progressive democrats hate their staffers so much? Maybe those staffers need a union to protect their rights. LUN
Posted by: Jack is Back! | March 02, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Only Alito remained sane in the Supreme Court's decision on the Westboro Baptist animals. Anyone want to chip in on a bounty on the Westboro nuts?
Posted by: Mark Folkestad | March 02, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Is the worm turning? LUN
Posted by: Jack is Back! | March 02, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Mark,
I think it was the right decision, altho I haven't read it. If it goes the other way the next thing you know, any time there is a tea party we get sued for annoying someone.
Free speech is free speech even if you are an ass.
Posted by: Jane (sit on the couch or save your country) | March 02, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Jane, I respect you, but Alito was spot on, saying that the deliberate targeting of the mourning families went beyond a general protest. Seriously, someone will harm the Phelps family, and I don't think that there will be any extensive investigation. I would not soil myself by striking out at the nuts, but if I were a juror in the trial of one of their assailants, jury nullification would be on my mind. I would certainly vote to convict on a charge of littering (dumping bodies).
Posted by: Mark Folkestad | March 02, 2011 at 02:12 PM
Mark,
I don't equate disagreement with disrespect. I prefer the Alito outcome in this case too, (and I still haven't read it) but I am a huge fan of free speech and a bit worried about it, particularly with this president.
Posted by: Jane (sit on the couch or save your country) | March 02, 2011 at 03:46 PM
This problem is already solved, the traditional way, where the solution to obnoxious speech is more speech. Or revving motorcycle engines, anyway.
(Did I tell everybody that I sang at the Illinois Patriot Guard convention last summer? They had skydivers who jumped while carrying large flags. Very cool.)
Posted by: cathyf | March 02, 2011 at 05:13 PM