Paul’s Grab Bag

What’s in Paul’s grab bag?  Unconnected thoughts and observations which don’t rate separate blog posts, but when aggregated together might amount to something: Recently Overheard: “I knew the car companies were going under 20 years ago, when the union guys started making six figures and buying summer homes.” — attorney friend at a house party […]

(My Own) Conservatism, Condensed

In my previous post, I accused my conservative Republican friends of selfishness.  Some of my conservative Republican friends read this blog.  I doubt I’ve endeared myself to them. So I should probably clarify my own relationship with selfishness.  All humans are selfish, covetous, and jealous.  I’m human.  I worked hard for what I have and […]

Conservatism, Condensed

Some of my friends are successful businessmen.  They are, as a matter of course, conservative and Republican.  Socially, at least, I tend toward conservatism myself, and I respect anyone who works hard and succeeds.  Though I may disagree with my friends, I listen to what they have to say.    They’re smart people, but too often, […]

Follow the Money (Part I)

In a post about Arizona’s new immigration law the other day, I naïvely posted this: I estimate that the Border Patrol catches around a hundred illegal border-crossers a day in Arizona alone.  Anywhere you go in southern Arizona, you see Border Patrol checkpoints and the big white ex-Greyhound buses they use to haul the day’s […]

What’s that Smell?

Today on Facebook I posted a link to this photo and accompanying story about a racist NASCAR fan, generating this heated comment from a friend, an understandably beleaguered non-racist NASCAR supporter: Probably the most misinformed bit of drivel written about NASCAR to date. Funny how the “journalist” leaps to unsubstantiated conclusions but would scream bloody […]

Banned Book News Roundup

Here’s another roundup of banned book news: First, some small victories: Washington state library board stands up to censors Wisconsin mother who challenged school library books overruled by board of education Graphic novel Bone survives school library challenge Still, there are miles to go before we sleep: Mom checks out teen books, keeps them to […]

Paul’s Book Reviews

“Integrity is a bugger, it really is. Lying can get you into difficulties, but to really wind up in the crappers try telling nothing but the truth.” – David Mitchell, Ghostwritten The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins The familiar arguments against the familiar arguments for god, well arranged and cogently stated. If you’re a member […]