Because they have their own minor-league spelling bee circuit. Having a qualifying spelling bee league that is, at times, tougher than the actual competition is what results in the extreme over-representation of Indian kids (1% in population, 11% in the spelling bee) at the national-level Scripps spelling bee. Where else have you seen such a phenomenon?
posted by vidur on Jun 2, 2010 - 15 comments

The lamest press releases of the 2004 campaign.
posted by boost ventilator on Jan 16, 2004 - 10 comments

Screwing the young. American government benefits will give a typical man reaching age 65 today a net windfall of more than $70,000 beyond what he paid in. A luckless 25-year-old, by contrast, can count on paying $322,000 more in payroll taxes than he will ever get back in benefits.
posted by NortonDC on Dec 10, 2003 - 36 comments

On media darlings. Do you think this was deliberate or a coincidence? Who do you think are the other darlings of the mainstream media in USA and elsewhere (i.e. if you accept Slate's premise)?
posted by justlooking on Jul 25, 2002 - 5 comments

Choose your own election. Worth reading, just for a bit of 80s nostalgia.
posted by holgate on Dec 9, 2000 - 0 comments

If Al Gore becomes the president, Mickey Kaus has a wickedly devious idea on how the Dems can stick it to the senate Repubs. It hinges on Joe Leiberman refusing the vice-presidency.
posted by nikzhowz on Nov 9, 2000 - 10 comments

Does the United States Need a Chief Information Officer? From Slate. The government waking up to the Internet's reach or two political hopefuls speaking to twitchy netizens? You make the call.
posted by capt.crackpipe on Sep 6, 2000 - 2 comments