Barbara Mallory Caraway

Barbara Mallory Caraway is a member of the Texas House of Representatives. It's hard to say her name five times fast. The Wikipedia article made me chuckle a few times, because every time it says her name it calls her Representative Mallory Caraway.

Tongue twisters are fun. There are many of them. Like "Unique New York". Or "She sells seashells by the seashore." Wait a second. Why would anyone buy seashells from a girl by the seashore? There are literally millions of shells on the seashore, all free for the taking. She should go far away from the seashore to sell her seashells.


Most of Texas's state representatives are actually laptop computers.
Photo: Mr. Wright via Flickr (CC)

Louisiana House of Representatives

Louisiana House of Representatives is the Lower House in the Louisiana State Legislature. It convenes in Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge is the answer to a trivia question that Cindy Brady can't answer on the Brady Bunch when she is a contestant on a kids' game show and she panics and freezes and just looks at the red light on the camera and Marsha watching on TV back home says "Baton Rouge, Cindy. Baton Rouge."

I always think of that when I hear Baton Rouge.

What do you think of when you hear Baton Rouge?


The Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge looks like a big penis.
Photo: jimmywayne via Flickr (CC)

Conference of Specialised Ministers

Conference of Specialised Ministers is how the Council of Europe works. They have various specialized committees, which they call conferences. For instance the Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport and the Conference of Ministers responsible for Social Cohesion.

I wish I had a Conference of Ministers responsible for making me Chinese food.


Unenthusiastic flags.
Photo: nguy1 via Flickr (CC)

Siobhain McDonagh

Siobhain McDonagh is a member of the British Parliament, and she has been since 1997.

Have you ever watched the Prime Minister's Questions on CSPAN? It's one of the greatest half hours on television. A taping airs every Sunday night at 9:oo PM EST. I highly recommend it. The Prime Minister fields questions from the Members of Parliament, and they all insult each other and stand up and sit down a lot and make funny old-timey British noises at each other. It's good comedy. Here's a taste.


Look kids. Big Ben. Parliament.
Photo: ** Maurice ** via Flickr (CC)

Bodoland People's Front

Bodoland People's Front is a political party in India. In the 2009 general election, Bodoland candidate Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmuthiary was elected to the lower parliament of India. Probably because his last name was so fun.

The Indian government has many political parties. Often I wish my own government had more parties. Though we have many small ones, only two have any say. Sometimes it feels like the game is rigged.

That's why I am going to start my own political party. That's the beauty of my country. I can do that. I am going to start my own political party, and it will be called the Awesome Party, and we'll have a slogan, and a logo, and a philosophy, and a vision.

And we'll have legions of supporters who will cheer when we say things and boo when our opponents say different things.

And everything will be fine.


Our chairman.
Photo: Jizzon via Flickr (CC)

Mariano Prado

Mariano Prado was a four-time Chief of State of El Salvador in the 1820s-30s. His dad's name was José. The guy who owns the laundromat I go to is also named José. Nice guy.


In El Salvador, some boys are the size of a soccer ball.
Photo: adobemac via Flickr (CC)

Vuk Obradović

Vuk Obradović was a leader of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia during Serbia's "Bulldozer Revolution" of 2000. I like the name Vuk. I've never heard it before.

Before Vuk was a politician, Vuk was a soldier. In 2001, Vuk had to resign as Deputy Prime Minister after Vuk allegedly sexually harassed a female aide. Vuk shouldn't have allegedly done that.

Vuk died last year in Belgrade.


Lenny was sad to see Vuk go.
Photo: Starving Photographer via Flickr (CC)

Glen Browder

Glen Browder is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama. Glen was on the House Armed Services Committee and is currently a Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School, with a focus on "Congress and the Pentagon."

Interestingly, Glen was born on January 15, 1943, the same day the Pentagon was dedicated. This made me wonder if maybe our careers are determined by what historical events happened on our date of birth. So I checked my birthdate, August 4, 1978. Nothing happened.


In Glen Browder's district, people drive around in shoes.
Photo: Diamondduste via Flickr (CC)