It happens nearly every time. I’ll be reading a short story, let’s say, enjoying myself, lost in the experience—when suddenly, there it is: the gratuitous and mean-spirited and out-of-context slap at Bush, or at those who support him. It’s not … Continue reading →
We hardly hear about the tsunami anymore, although for a while it dominated the news. The tsunami was videotaped in a staggering variety of manifestations: from the tall towering waves of Japanese art, to rolling swells that almost resembled a … Continue reading →
This review of the book Miracle Cure, appearing in Commentary, reminded me of something I’ve long thought: that the Canadian health care system isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I used to be active on a forum that dealt … Continue reading →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Well, maybe not so “frequently.” And maybe not “asked,” exactly. But they are questions. 1) Why do you call yourself “neo-neocon?” See here. 2) Why are you anonymous? See here. 3) What’s up with that green Granny … Continue reading →
I humbly submit a new word and send it forth into the blogosphere: “blargument.” Definition? An argument on a blog, especially of the substantive type rather than mere name-calling. Does an argument sparked by trolling qualify? Yes. Update: as Emily … Continue reading →
My post-election hiatus was fun, but if I don’t get back on this horse soon, I probably never will. So, here goes– I’ve spent the last ten days doing some editing (for pay, supposedly), and I’m exhausted with the whole … Continue reading →
It could be painful to watch if the Bush administration now steers sharply to the hard right domestically. But, seriously, how anyone can read the Newsweek Nov. 15 special election series about Kerry and not think a Kerry presidency would … Continue reading →
I’m tired of Andrew Sullivan. I’ve sparred with him in his LETTERS section, and thought about him way too much. I’m trying to swear off having anything to do with him anymore, because he has simply become an unserious thinker. … Continue reading →
Why is Kerry still lying about General Shinseki’s “firing?” It seems puzzling, because it’s not even a “nuanced” lie–that is, there’s no way to spin it. It’s just a simple fact that Shinseki wasn’t fired for saying there should be … Continue reading →
I noticed on Hugh Hewitt’s blog today some quotes from a recent Kerry interview, quotes that made my blood run cold. Here’s the exchange: Q. “If you are elected, given Paul Bremer’s remarks, and deteriorating conditions as you have judged … Continue reading →
When it’s a Presidential debate. I’ve always hated these things, from the Kennedy/Nixon days. They make me nervous and they perplex me. Debating seems to be a skill that has nothing–absolutely nothing–to do with being an effective president. And of … Continue reading →
It’s appeared suddenly on a number of blogs: the well-known Andrew Sullivan’s and the obscure (although not as obscure as me!) Wiserblog. And what is it, you ask? It’s a private e-mail attributed to WSJ journalist Farnaz Fassihi and being … Continue reading →