I continue to be impressed by how many current trends in public life appear to have their roots in events of the 60s. Beginning at that time, there seems to have been a growing conviction that internal investigations are futile … Continue reading →
I would say that Iran’s President Ahmadinejad (and is anyone else besides me incongruously reminded of food–trout almandine, for example–by his name?) is dropping any show of being amenable to pressure from international bodies such as the UN–if he’d ever … Continue reading →
Some say it’s too soon for a movie about Flight 93. I don’t understand that argument; how can nearly five years from the event be too soon? After all, this is not an in-depth exploration of the event’s historical ramifications. … Continue reading →
Apologies. I got delayed by some personal matters both yesterday and today (some of them pleasant, fortunately), as well as by the fact that I may have bitten off a bit more than I can chew with my plans for … Continue reading →
[This is the first installment of a two-, three-, or possibly even four-part series. I plan to publish the posts in the series on consecutive days.] The story of the CIA detention centers leak raises issues far bigger than the … Continue reading →
Note to spammers– Never a good way to begin an email: Before I introduce myself, I wish to inform you that this letter is not a hoax mail and I urge you to treat it serious.
Continue reading →Some of you may recall that I sorta, kinda, like, follow “American Idol.” Yes, it’s the populist in me. I’m actually somewhat more interested in the soap opera aspect of the show (correction: the “human interest” aspect of it) than … Continue reading →
Lately I’ve noticed a certain degeneration of the comments section here, and I’d like to comment on it. Lots of bloggers don’t have comments sections, and I can understand why. But I’m not that kind of blogger; it was always … Continue reading →
Maybe this isn’t exactly and precisely an example of a changed mind. But it’s an excellent description of that moment of insight and clarity that comes with a watershed event whose significance can’t be denied (for some, at least). Tony … Continue reading →
[NOTE: Today we have news that the CIA detention center leaker might not have been Mary McCarthy after all; at least, she is denying any involvement. So for now I’ll stop referring to it as the McCarthy case. But even … Continue reading →
The scilla grows like a weed here, and it’s unusually prolific this year. The color in real life is actually much more intensely blue than in this photo: And then there’s Charybdis: Yes, I know; a lousy pun. It’s a … Continue reading →
This NBC News article, about the firing of CIA officer Mary McCarthy for leaking to Washington Post reporter Dana Priest, mentions an interesting tidbit or two. It seems that McCarthy had flunked a polygraph test earlier when queried. This, of … Continue reading →