In a lively debate at the American Political Science Association convention in Boston today, an esteemed group of political scientists gathered to forecast the 2008 presidential election. The consensus: advantage Barack Obama. Voters will have the chance to prove these projections right–or wrong. And, as Britannica blogger and panelist James Campbell notes: predictions by political scientists are always wrong.

It’s official. John McCain’s running mate is first-term, 44-year-old Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

It’s a curious, baffling, and—yes—historic choice that sets up quite a campaign. America will either have its first African American president or its first woman vice president.

Are the old animated films still ok for kids to watch? Decide for yourself. Watch video here.

As I write this, Gustavo is a tropical storm off the coast of Jamaica, its winds blowing hard at about 70 miles per hour. By the time this note is published, it probably will have gathered force, enough to go beyond Jamaica and enter the Gulf of Mexico—in which case it will almost certainly have become a hurricane bound for New Orleans.

There he goes again.

Once again, Charles Murray (of The Bell Curve controversy) is arguing that some people are not worth the time and trouble to educate because they are “just not smart enough,” in his words, to learn anything more than manual skills. And he can prove it! Scientifically!

Frederick Law Olmstead, who died today (August 28) in 1903, was the creator of classic American parks, gardens, and public spaces that seem entirely at home today—and that we would be the poorer without.

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Bill Clinton at the 1992 Democratic National Convention.

Condos are still available in the first rotating skyscraper in the world, situated (where else?) in Dubai. Says architect David Fisher, designer of the building, “From now on, buildings will have four dimensions, the fourth dimension is ‘Time’ to become part of architecture. Buildings in motion will shape the sky line of our cities.” Each floor moves at a different speed, resulting in an ever-changing shape to the structure. The building is also prefabricated and self-powered, generating enough electricity for itself and nearby buildings. Many construction details, however, are still to be worked out. Completion is slated for 2010, so order now (it’s only $3,000/per sq. foot)!

I want someone to start asking the presidential candidates about IMPOTENCE. I don’t care about whether or not they need Viagra, or Cyalis, or Extenze, or even how many bedrooms they may have in their house(s). I want to know how they plan to deal with America’s impotence …

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Jimmy Carter at the 1976 Democratic National Convention.