Events

Just a couple of tasty items today: One of my favorite BBQ places in Chicago, Smoke Daddy, will be opening at Hotel Zachary, which is currently under construction next to Wrigley Field. Next season's chow options will be that much better, not to mention excellent ribs a 20-minute walk from home. Republican US Senator Mark Kirk sparred with his Democratic opponent, US Representative Tammy Duckworth, at the Chicago Tribune's editorial board endorsement session yesterday. That's it for now. Back to...

Bruce Schneier points out that we software developers have more responsibility to protect users than they have to follow all of our instructions: The problem isn't the users: it's that we've designed our computer systems' security so badly that we demand the user do all of these counterintuitive things. Why can't users choose easy-to-remember passwords? Why can't they click on links in emails with wild abandon? Why can't they plug a USB stick into a computer without facing a myriad of viruses? Why are...

My friend Molly's newborn has become world-famous. Last week, Daniel made the cover of Bored Panda, which got picked up by Huffington Post, and now the Daily Mail has followed. I've met the kid. He really is this cute.

Today is the last day of the Cubs' regular season, and what a season it's been. Regardless of the outcome of today's game the Cubs will have lost fewer than 60 games for the first time since 1945—the last time the Cubs went to the World Series. They've also won over 100 games, and will finish with either 102 or 103 wins, the most since 1910. (The last time they won 100 games was in 1935.) Keep in mind, just four years ago they lost 101 games. And then on Thursday, this happened: As the Pirates and Cubs...

David Roberts, writing for Vox, says that trying to understand what Donald Trump really believes is a category error: The question presumes that Trump has beliefs, "views" that reflect his assessment of the facts, "positions" that remain stable over time, woven into some sort of coherent worldview. There is no evidence that Trump has such things. That is not how he uses language. When he utters words, his primary intent is not to say something, to describe a set of facts in the world; his primary intent...

I took a personal day yesterday to get my teeth cleaned (still no cavities, ever!) and to fork over a ton of cash to Parker's vet (five shots, three routine tests, heartworm pills, one biopsy, $843.49). That and other distractions made it a full personal day. So as I start another work day with the half-day of stuff I planned to do yesterday right in front of me, I'm queuing up some articles again: Then and Now, Armitage-Bissell Programming is Hard The Founding Fathers' Power Grab The Chicago Tribune...

Rolling Stone describes how Wrigleyville became Douchebag Central: Chicagoans have strong feelings about Wrigleyville. While a local might have more nuanced thoughts on neighborhoods like Logan Square (gentrified, filled with hipsters, great places to eat) or Wicker Park (gentrified, filled with yuppies, great places to eat), say you're going to hang out near Wrigley Field, and you'll probably get a blank stare. You really go out of your way to visit there for two reasons: Cubs games and shows at the...

New York Times reporter Jonathan Mahler watched the debate with the sound off. He still had no doubts who won: It was a little shimmy of her shoulders — cheeky, insouciant — accompanied by a big, toothy grin. Her opponent smirked. She looked as if she was having fun. He, not so much. Visually, anyway, there was a discernible arc to the event, with Mr. Trump growing more agitated as the night wore on, and Mrs. Clinton becoming almost giddy with what felt increasingly like genuine pleasure. Which brings...

Not even a full day after the debate and the reactions I'm seeing are across-the-board horrible for Trump. First, the usual suspects: Josh Marshall here, here, and here. From New Republic, Brian Beutler, Jeet Heer, and Ryu Spaeth. Paul Krugman. But the other side of the aisle doesn't seem happy either. Check out: Red State ("Desperately delusional Trump") Rod Dreher US News (with reactions from across the globe) Bill Kristol Fred Barnes Of course, it's not Trump's fault he tanked after 15 minutes of...

A 12-2 win over the Pirates got the Cubs to their 100th win of the season. This is the first season they've hit 100 since 1935. Even in their pennant-winning 1945 season they only won 98. Could they make history this year? I'm starting to feel more hopeful.