I think it may be a lost pedagogical device, but when I was in grade school, we were forced by our teachers (mostly elderly women, as it happens) to memorize poetry. Lots of poetry. Most of it doggeral, but not … Continue reading →
Part 4 is percolating. But this isn’t it; not yet. I’m finding it slow going, perhaps because it deals with the Vietnam War. Astounding how that event casts such a long shadow even now–or perhaps especially now. I think Part … Continue reading →
The Oil-for-Food UN scandal has been one of those long slow excruciatingly drawn-out stories that, somehow, hasn’t gotten anywhere near the coverage it should have. Over the last year, Claudia Rossett of the WSJ and Roger Simon in the blogosphere … Continue reading →
The chilling news of another large earthquake in Indonesia, and more deaths there, has reawakened memories of the cataclysmic tsunami of late 2004. Fortunately, there was no tsunami this time, although I’m sure the people of Indonesia were terrified of … Continue reading →
I know I’m a little slow on the uptake here, since she was voted off last week. But those troubled by the elimination of Mikalah from the American Idol lineup can be comforted by the fact that the perfect position … Continue reading →
In my “about me” description (see upper right), I mentioned that I’ve faced some ostracism within my circle of friends and colleagues for my political views. This was especially dramatic beginning with the buildup to the Iraqi war and ending … Continue reading →
I’ve pretty much said all I want or need to say here, which is that the case is essentially a family dispute gone very, very bad. But today I read a piece posted on the blog Horsefeathers that articulated a … Continue reading →
Ann Althouse’s speculates here about the influence of the show “American Idol” on the current style of singing in Broadway musicals. I agree with Ann that “American Idol” really isn’t the culprit, but I have a different one in mind: … Continue reading →
Amidst the exhilaration of the Lebanese demonstrations and the blogospheric hooha about the liberty babes, there has been one burning unanswered question that has tormented me: where did the protesters get all those flags, and how was it done so … Continue reading →
Okay, I’ll bite. Ann Althouse challenges the blogosphere to answer the question Ralph Nader posed on “Crossfire” the other day: why aren’t Republicans and Democrats consistently compassionate? Three reasons: (1) Because they are human beings, and human beings are not … Continue reading →
I’m pleased to say that I was profiled today on Norman Geras’s blog. For those of you who have come here through that link, welcome! For other readers who may not be familiar with Norm’s blog, consider a visit. It’s … Continue reading →
In a recent post, Norman Geras wrote: And yet it is almost de rigeur amongst people of liberal and left outlook, today, to use as representative of what we should fear in the way of a possible return of the … Continue reading →