Guns Kill

I am numbed by the tragedy of gun violence that, yet again, took so many innocent lives.  This time it claimed the most innocent of all.  Our precious, young children and their teachers.  I first wrote about the issue of gun violence on March 24th of this year in a piece entitled Do Guns Make Us Safer.  I recommend a reread if you read it before.  It’s a good place to start this discussion. The only difference is that now, like Joe Scarborough this morning on Morning Joe, I’ve had it.   I know it’s not worth it.  I don’t care if your view of the right of our citizens to possess weapons of mass homicide arises from a broad view of the...

Why I Won’t Be Voting for Romney

Perhaps I’m not writing this at the best of times as I think I have a severe case of EF.  Yes, I said EF not ED.  EF is for election fatigue and, as you know,  ED is for….well, never mind.  I’ve previously staked out the rationale for Obama in a piece that I wrote on September 4 entitled “Why I Will Vote for Obama Again”.  If you’re interested, That’s still my plan.  Only more so. I also know that those who read my stuff from time to time divide roughly in two camps.  First would be the “I’m Preaching to the Choir Group” who will not be any more highly motivated to support the president than they...

They Don’t Eat Bacon in France, Do They?

My darling wife S. and I have just returned from a delightful, but tiring  holiday in Europe which began with two days in Paris at our standby hotel, the Bristol.  There’s almost nothing one can say that’s bad about Le Hotel Bristol except that the prices are so high, one can get a nosebleed just walking in the lobby.  But I knew this before I got there. Also, let me say at the outset that I like french food, I like french wine, I like french women, I like french art.  Heck,  I’m pretty much an out and out francophile.  I’ve struggled with french irregular verbs without ever mastering them for years.  Even today, your average frenchman...

Why I Will Vote for Obama Again

I’ll admit it.  I was in a funk at the close of the republican convention.  Laying aside the bizarre sight of my man Clint debating an empty chair, the repubs did a pretty good job.  In fact, they made Romney seem almost normal, as far as politicians go.  Yes, I know that his VP guy, Ryan, told some whoppers, but everyone expects that of pols.  I’m reminded of the old aphorism, “I’d never want to be a member of a club that would have me”.  In political speak, that translates to an equally pithy thought, “One should never vote for a politician that wants to be elected”.  Clearly, Romney wants to be elected.  Hells...

Overused and Overwrought

There are words and phrases that sneak into our every day lexicon, and before you know it, like Johnson Grass and Tea Partiers, they have invaded our consciousness.  Let me give you a few examples: …main stream media …partisan, non-partisan, or bi-partisan …the arab street …on/off the table And the one that makes my eyes glaze over and mind slam shut… …on the ground (and its many derivatives) I’m sure you and I could come up with a much longer and even more revolting list, but I’m going to stop here and give you some thoughts on some of those listed above. Let’s start with main street media (MSM), or as my...