I love the opera “Hansel and Gretel,” by Engelbert Humperdinck (no, not that Humperdinck or this one; this one). His name may be a yuk, but the music he composed is among the masterpieces of opera, soaring and sonorous, tuneful … Continue reading →
Early election results indicate the Muslim Brotherhood is doing well in Egypt: The party formed by the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s mainstream Islamist group, appeared to have taken about 40 percent of the vote, as expected. But a big surprise was … Continue reading →
Barry Peterson is a man facing a dilemma (the video can’t be embedded, so you’ll have to watch it at this link). His beloved wife Jan has early onset Alzheimer’s, and she now lives in an institution where he visits … Continue reading →
Those of us old enough to remember when JFK was running for office (I was just a wee slip of a girl, myself) can recall the furor about his Catholicism. Kennedy’s allegiance was to the Vatican! was the cry. He … Continue reading →
The logic of those who claim that Breivik was the Christian equivalent of a Muslim terrorist leaves a lot to be desired. Are there Christian clerics clamoring for the murder of Young Socialists in Europe, in order to preserve the … Continue reading →
Although gay marriage was approved by the legislature on New York, opponents are vowing to fight on. They propose a state amendment to ban gay marriage, although my sense is that passage would be an uphill battle—especially since there is … Continue reading →
The trial of Dutch politician Geert Wilders for inciting hatred against Muslims may have passed under the radar screen here for the most part. But it’s important, as is his acquittal, which indicates that at least a modicum of free … Continue reading →
This Time article by Alex Altland about the Daniels candidacy and marital history contains the following curious passage [emphasis mine]: In his rare comments about the couple’s reconciliation, Daniels has said, “If you like happy endings, you’ll love our story.” … Continue reading →
This response of Obama’s to a Stephanopoulos question indicates that he knows a good opportunity for ridicule of birthers when he hears one: I think a problem for [birther-candidates such as Trump] when they want to actually run in a … Continue reading →
A mob, whipped up to a homicidal frenzy by local Afghan clerics enraged at the recent Koran burning by a fanatical minister in Florida, kills twelve UN workers in retaliation. And the Guardian’s poll asks whether the Florida pastor is … Continue reading →
I keep revisiting events in Iran in 1979, as a reminder of what can happen in those other countries in upheaval today in the Muslim world (which is not necessarily what will happen, of course). Here are some selected quotes … Continue reading →
US naval ships who were shadowing the Somali pirates who had captured two American couples were negotiating with two of the kidnappers, who had come aboard one of the Navy vessels, when the pirates unexpectedly launched a grenade at the … Continue reading →