links for 2010-08-13

One of the most predictable applause lines for any politician is to boast that he won’t back down, look back, or say sorry. Mitt Romney’s latest book is called ‘No Apologies’, while Sarah Palin says she will “never apologize for the United States of America.” Tony Blair wasn’t unusual when he bragged: “I can only go one way, I’ve got no reverse gear.” But a car without a reverse gear would be banned from the roads.