WASHINGTON -- We know there are coffee lovers and tea lovers, as well as lovers of baseball, football, art, literature, music and cars. But many years ago, Father Richard John Neuhaus, a hero to conservatives who earlier was a guide to religious radicals, identified a category to which I proudly belong: He said there were lovers of opinions. I do love opinions -- those … [Read more...] about Little Journals That Loom Large
10 Terrific Summer Reads: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
DUST JACKET AND FRONT BINDING OF TURING'S CATHEDRAL I inhale books like moviegoers inhale popcorn, and am fortunate enough to have the time to devour about one book a week. The following 10 reads are particularly noteworthy, in my view, most are available in used paperback editions for a song through Amazon for or can be ordered from your local library through Inter … [Read more...] about 10 Terrific Summer Reads: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Start Off Your Day With a Little Music
Start off your day with a piece of music from the Great American Songbook. We couldn't get the real Frank, so here's a younger substitute: Here's a very talented 11 year old (who sounds like a talented teen) doing the song with a music track: And, yes, here is the original in a stage performance in 1971: The lip sync track on the first You Tube embed above comes … [Read more...] about Start Off Your Day With a Little Music
Have Beijing Leaders Absorbed Chen Guangcheng’s Message? (Le Monde, France)
What do the words 'rule of law' mean to China's leadership? This editorial from France's Le Monde expresses the hope that those charged with leading the world's most populous nation have learned something of the profound meaning of the phrase, from the struggle of Chen Guangcheng - a man who overcome all obstacles to fight for the rights of his own people - within the bounds of … [Read more...] about Have Beijing Leaders Absorbed Chen Guangcheng’s Message? (Le Monde, France)
Don’t Call Him “Dr. Shaq”: Shaquille O’Neal Earns A Doctorate Degree
After so many depressing stories about sports figures who've done drugs, got into legal trouble, become physically decimated due to their past athletic battles, it's refreshing to find an uplifting story about a famous athlete who is truly a great role model. And here it is: Shaquille O'Neal has earned his doctorate degree. But don't call him Dr. Shaq: The four-time … [Read more...] about Don’t Call Him “Dr. Shaq”: Shaquille O’Neal Earns A Doctorate Degree
Merkel sleepless over Hollande
Germany’s Angela Merkel will sleep less easy tonight because the French people have confirmed their opposition to her austerity programs for all Europeans except Germans by electing Francois Hollande as their new President. The Merkel-Hollande clash will occur soon since she is the first foreign leader he will meet after his swearing in by May 15. He is also likely to clash … [Read more...] about Merkel sleepless over Hollande
Left Kind Of Wins In France; Chaos Wins In Greece
In France the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande has defeated incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy to become the first Socialist President of France since 1995. This will give him the power to name the new Prime Minister of France, though no clear front runner has yet emerged. But the victory for the left may not be as much as they had hoped. For one thing there is a debate as to … [Read more...] about Left Kind Of Wins In France; Chaos Wins In Greece
CNN International Coverage of European Elections
For those who get it, CNN International is covering the elections in Europe and it is interesting to see many of the same issues we are dealing with here being discussed there. In Greece for example the economy is in a shambles and the basics of math dictate that there have to be spending cuts, in many cases very severe ones. We don't quite face that problem here yet but if … [Read more...] about CNN International Coverage of European Elections
At Stake Today In Europe — The Rule Of Banks
There are national elections today in France, Greece and Serbia, and local ones in Germany and Italy. These being very different countries, there are of course many local issues that will decide some of these races. But the overriding issue that unites all of them is a referendum on the present high-finance-friendly policies of governments throughout the continent. This … [Read more...] about At Stake Today In Europe — The Rule Of Banks
Something to Remember During Election Year
During election year each side talks as if the world will end if they lose. The words of this song are important to remember during election year: … [Read more...] about Something to Remember During Election Year
2012 Veepstakes (Guest Voice)
2012 Veepstakes Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Since Gov. Romney has sewn up the nomination tighter than one of Chris Christie's old suits, the only remaining Republican election drama is which name the Bairn of Bain Capital intends to place on the bottom of his bumper sticker. Yes, friends, it's once again time to play that quadrennial game sensation sweeping the nation: … [Read more...] about 2012 Veepstakes (Guest Voice)
Young Barack’s Carnal Composites
The magazine that puts Capital Letters on everything and everyone, Vanity Fair, now enters Uncharted Territory in Obamanalysis...the President's delicacy about former girlfriends in his own two memoirs by conflating his experiences with them into "composites." Obamographer David Maraniss teases out from the diaries and letters of one in New York and another in Chicago … [Read more...] about Young Barack’s Carnal Composites
Turmoil at Guantanamo Trial of 9/11 Mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Others: Really a Surprise?
Did anybody seriously think that at the Guantanamo trial of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others the merciless Al Qaeda terrorists who planned an executed the quintessential "high concept" bloody publicity stunt would go quietly into the judicial night -- and their own likely executions? If so, they are not seriously thinking that anymore. The trial got off to a … [Read more...] about Turmoil at Guantanamo Trial of 9/11 Mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Others: Really a Surprise?
Home, Home on Derange
It ought to be enough to know that, since "the liberal media" is going to distort the 'truth,' it's OK to distort your 'truth' up front, so that you can 'balance' the bias. Logically, whatever the truth or falsity of your premise (that there IS a 'liberal media' and it will 'slant' the news in a 'liberal' direction), it is indisputable that YOU are biased, and, therefore … [Read more...] about Home, Home on Derange
Lack of Mutual Sino-U.S. Military Trust a Major Threat (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Is Washington encouraging the Philippines and Vietnam to challenge China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea? In this at times conciliatory and at other times peppery editorial from the state-run Global Times, which reads like a summary of what the U.S. and China have been discussing since Friday, Beijing unambiguously warns Washington not to try to make up for its … [Read more...] about Lack of Mutual Sino-U.S. Military Trust a Major Threat (Global Times, People’s Republic of China)
Election Factor to Consider? New Libertarian Nominee Gary Johnson Swipes Hard at Romney and Republicans
Is there a new factor to pencil in when analyzing the upcoming 2012 Presidential election? Third parties in America have tended to boil down to Quixotic ventures because the American political system is so stacked -- rigged, actually -- against them. But Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson just got the Libertarian Party's nomination -- and he has come out swinging at the … [Read more...] about Election Factor to Consider? New Libertarian Nominee Gary Johnson Swipes Hard at Romney and Republicans
Fox News’ Juan Williams Is a Bit Nostaligic for NPR
Fox News' Juan Williams left NPR amid a great deal of controversy (see TMV posts here, here, here and here) -- controversy that clearly reflected bitter feelings on both sides. Now it sounds as if Juan Williams is feeling some regrets. Jim Romenesko quoting an interview in Capital New York: Fox News political analyst Juan Williams misses working for NPR “big … [Read more...] about Fox News’ Juan Williams Is a Bit Nostaligic for NPR
Additional Thoughts on the Chen Guangcheng Episode.
China watchers and non-watchers have differing opinions on China’s decision to let activist Chen Guangcheng apply to leave China for the United States, on the trustworthiness of the Chinese government and on the pros and cons of Chen’s acceptance of such an opportunity. Here’s a roundup. Andrew Jacobs at the New York Times says China’s decision wasn’t a major concession … [Read more...] about Additional Thoughts on the Chen Guangcheng Episode.
Obama OFFICIALLY Launches Re-Election Campaign: Get Ready for a Rough One
It's been unofficially on -- BOY has it been unofficially on. But now it's official: President Barack Obama has formally launched his re-election campaign and it confirms the growing belief that this campaign will be a rough and tough (and perhaps silly) one. He gave a preview today: The gloves are off. Opening what is likely to be a bitter and grueling election, … [Read more...] about Obama OFFICIALLY Launches Re-Election Campaign: Get Ready for a Rough One
This Just In: A Mouth Spray That’ll Get You Drunk
Who needs to lift those heavy glasses anymore to get drunk? Now there's a mouth spray to do it quicker and with less effort. … [Read more...] about This Just In: A Mouth Spray That’ll Get You Drunk