The French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo has died at 88. Quite a few of the tributes to Belmondo call him “handsome.” That surprises me, because I never thought him handsome. He was something else – unique and compelling and magnetic. I … Continue reading →
Today is the 75th birthday of Barry Gibb, the last surviving member of the Bee Gees. It’s an achievement to be alive, given what he’s been through. And it’s also his anniversary; he and his wife celebrate 51 years of … Continue reading →
Sometimes the great and the famous are arrogant, or they become arrogant. But not Fred Astaire: His perfectionism was legendary, but his relentless insistence on rehearsals and retakes was a burden to some. When time approached for the shooting of … Continue reading →
It’s one of those random facts, perhaps meaningless, that I nevertheless find interesting. From Born’s Wiki page: Max Born was a German physicist and mathematician who was instrumental in the development of quantum mechanics. He also made contributions to solid-state … Continue reading →
Actor Charles Grodin died yesterday at the age of 86. He was fabulous in one of my favorite movies of all time, “Midnight Run.” In the movie, Grodin played an accountant who had embezzled money from a Chicago mobster, and … Continue reading →
When Jenner came out as a trans woman named Caitlyn, the fawning attention was overwhelming. When Caitlyn mentioned that she’s a Republican, that dampened things a bit. In fact, Jenner at the time said that coming out as a Republican … Continue reading →
Most of you probably are familiar with the rousing and elegiac Americana classic “City of New Orleans.” It was a big hit for Arlo Guthrie in 1972, and has been covered by a great many people. It’s one of those … Continue reading →
Rush Limbaugh has died. RIP. Limbaugh had a huge effect on the right for many decades. I was not a listener, but I’m well aware that an enormous number of people were. I also know people who had their political … Continue reading →
Several people have recommended that I read this extraordinarily powerful article by Natan Sharansky on the mental doubling that a person had to do in order to survive in the Soviet Union in which his father lived for most of … Continue reading →
The left may not have trashed Martin Luther King’s statues, but they’ve done an excellent job of trashing his message and his legacy. I cannot help but think that King would weep if he were alive today and could see … Continue reading →
The senator from Missouri has announced that he will challenge the Electoral College certification of the presidential election: This courageous act, in conjunction with similar pledges already made by members of the House, opens the door to serious discussion of … Continue reading →
An interesting pairing: Americans are most likely to name President Donald Trump and Michelle Obama as most admired man and woman in 2020. Trump tied former President Barack Obama for the honor last year but edged out his predecessor this … Continue reading →