"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter." —Mark Twain
In the news
Or . . . stealthy and expensive mega-guns? I’ve been trying to think of something intelligent to contribute to the ongoing debate over future production of the F-22 Raptor. President Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates want to cap production at 187 aircraft, the number currently funded. Congressmen and senators from F-22 producing districts […]
“I don’t think it will be the day after day after day of ethics violation charges that are frivolous, that are ridiculous. I think on a national level your department of law there in the White House would look at this, the things we have been charged with, and automatically throw them out, not make […]
I sure get a kick out of the Tucson Weekly Police Dispatch column. This one is from the July 2, 2009 issue: A WHORIBLE SPELLER A woman freshly out of a messy divorce found alleged proof that her ex-husband is both mean and a lousy speller, a PCSD report stated. The victim said that about […]
So I thought I’d take a little hike up the Appalachian Trail. You know, just to see how far the Old Log Inn is. But when I get back I find a note from my wife: “Gone to Reno.” Shoot, now it’s just me & Rosie . . . and her five sisters. Well, gotta […]
I’m concerned about what appears to be a stolen election in Iran, and even more concerned about government violence and suppression of dissent. It’s encouraging, even exciting, that Iranians are finding ways around government censorship to get their story out to the rest of the world. In this country, conservative politicians are criticizing President Obama […]
. . . to serve the corporate masters. Warning: NPR kvetching ahead. I thought Diane Rehm’s show started off well this morning: she interviewed presidential science advisor Dr. John Holdren about the latest White House report on climate change. And here’s the thing: she had him on by himself, not up against a panel of […]
There has been much said about Twitter, most of it negative, but Twitter is shining today. I realize this is highly perishable information, but at this moment the hot trending topics include #cnnfail, #iranelection, and #tehran. Apparently Iran can’t keep its citizens off Twitter, and they’re providing the news and photographic coverage our own media […]