We haven’t learned anything

These are crazy times. On one TV channel, mobs are destroying cities in England. On another channel, mobs are destroying San Francisco. The first is presented as news, and I’m supposed to be shocked by it. The second is presented as entertainment, and I’m supposed to enjoy it. Is this sick or what? Obviously the makers of Rise of the … >>

No more Borders

Well, it’s happened. My favorite bookstore has gone out of business. The Borders chain had been struggling since about 2007 and had already closed some of its stores. After an attempt at restructuring failed, the company announced last week it would be closing its 399 remaining stores. This will put 10,700 people out of work. This is a big loss … >>

The day the Visitors came

Where were you the day the aliens arrived? If you watch the TV series V, which starts this Monday night on Pro7, you’ll have the answer. The aliens in the series cordially call themselves the Visitors. They cure disease and give teenagers rides in their space shuttle. They ask only for some water and minerals to take home with them. … >>

Everything’s “great” in America

My dad never goes to the supermarket. Well, he does, but he just calls it “the market”. Why exaggerate? If Americans are having a good time, they’ll say things are “great”. Not Dad. To him, everything’s “fine”. He means the same thing, but it sounds more honest. I find this refreshing. For decades, an inflation of intensifiers has been corrupting … >>

The Pinocchio factor

There was a time when politicians used to be quoted for saying wise things — things like “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own facts.” (Daniel Patrick Moynihan) These days, they’re usually quoted for things they shouldn’t have said. Republicans know they have a chance of beating Barack Obama in next year’s presidential election because … >>