There have been some pieces in the news lately about the crossover of IM and text message ‘speak’ into English. The cries of purists are amusing (kind of like the minority Canadian Quebequa wanting all signs in their province in…
Category: Essay
Abbas: A Puppet Strangling on its String
Democracy relentlessly marches on. The power of the presidency is rightfully diminished, and the parlimentary system of multiple parties creating a sole or coalition rule waxes in a country least suited to almost any kind of rule except by the…
H5N1 to 0
I think it’s clear that the H5N1 “bird flu” is coming and is, in fact, here to stay. It’s longevity and continuing spread remind me of the West Nile Virus more than a seasonal influenza. While I am sure that…
Now I’m Confused…
Inflamatory cartoons have sent the Muslim world into a tizzy, if not frenzy. Non-Muslims insulting the Prophet Mohammed is seen as a horrible, terrible thing. So what’s with the suicide bombers killing fellow Muslims in mosques, on holy days? Where’s…
Cartoonish Behavior
Yah, it’s offensive, blah, blah, blah. There’s almost too much media reaction to the original offense — except for the insane response by legions of enraged primitives. Thanks, Richard, for use of the cartoon. Muslims are as wise, and dumb,…
Buy Danish!
The most memorable things I’ve bought from Danes are pork ribs and Lego(tm). I’m sure there are many other things, but it is vitally important that we support a country that supports free press. The Arab “street” has shown its…
Blugging a Great Tool
Blugging being Blog plugging. Better than bluckstering (from huckster). Anyway, pbwiki is a fantastic tool. I use it in a variety of ways: It’s the repository for my multi-novel, screenplay and short story universe. It includes a handy encyclopedia and…
A Plea for Filibuster
Last week I found a bumper sticker for my car. “The last time we mixed politics and religion,” it said, “people were burned at the stake.” Yes, I bought it. No, I don’t think we’re near there — yet. But…
Ooh, This One Might Have Spine!
Olmert is finally in the driver’s seat, it seems. By stepping up to the plate and making a stand against the silent, 380 kilogram gorilla of tacit government leniency on settler violence, he is making a winner-take-all move in a…
Undermining Democracy, One Comment at a Time
Slanted writing takes many forms. CNN, in describing a simple procedure on Israel’s Prime Minister and its effect on the running of Israel, writes: “Since Sharon’s hospitalization, his powers as prime minister have been transferred to his long-time loyalist and…