It’s gotten so that I can hardly stand to look at the news. Now, the regular readers here know my opinion of Donald Trump. Let’s just say I’m no sycophant. I criticized him harshly before the nomination (a nomination I … Continue reading →
Who was Astaire’s best partner? Fred Astaire himself was unique, and as a solo performer in his genre he was unsurpassed. Period. It wasn’t just that he could choreograph routine after routine and bring freshness to each one. It wasn’t … Continue reading →
Before I regretfully leave the inaugural fashions behind, let me note that a great many people wrote that Melania’s day outfit channeled Jackie Kennedy. I have a small quibble, very small. But it’s that it wasn’t just Jackie at the … Continue reading →
To me, Trump’s inaugural speech was congruent with his prior message, and mainly struck notes of populism and nationalism. What else would anyone expect? He hammered on the idea of government during his administration as listening to and being responsive … Continue reading →
Quite some time ago I noticed that people tend to describe themselves in different modes. If you ask people to give a brief summary of who they are, the first might use words of emotion and relationship: I am a … Continue reading →
[Scroll down for UPDATES on the ball gowns.] One of the things I’m looking forward to in a Trump presidency is seeing Melania’s fashions. Now, there’s a woman who can wear anything, and who usually looks incredibly good. We’ve certainly … Continue reading →
[Scroll down for UPDATES.] Here we are. What a long strange trip it’s been. I’m cautiously optimistic. What about you? UPDATE noon: Done. I’m watching the show on TV. Trump has a red tie, Melania a blue coat (but more … Continue reading →
Here’s a video featuring dancer Jean Veloz. I believe it was filmed back in the 1940s (with incredibly corny narration): Here’s Jean at 90: Jean Veloz is apparently still going strong now, at around 92. It’s hard to see any … Continue reading →
Interesting: Staffers for the Trump transition team have been meeting with career staff at the White House ahead of Friday’s presidential inauguration to outline their plans for shrinking the federal bureaucracy, The Hill has learned… Overall, the blueprint being used … Continue reading →
Edward-Isaac Dovere writes in Politico: What happened [election] night shocked even the most pessimistic Democrats. But in another sense, it was the reckoning the party had been expecting for years. They were counting on a Clinton win to paper over … Continue reading →
In the recent thread about the called-off search for Flight MH370, commenter “Lurch” asked this question: I really do not understand this fetish about finding a bunch of dead bodies. A dead body is an artifact. It is not the … Continue reading →
First of all, let’s get the legalism out of the way: Obama didn’t pardon Manning. The verdict stands. Obama shortened Manning’s sentence by a huge amount, commuting the original 35 years (of which Manning has served 6) to time served … Continue reading →