"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter." —Mark Twain
Over time I’ve culled most of the outright racists from my pool of Facebook friends. Sometimes, though, people post shit like this, intending only to share something they thought funny, failing to see the thuggishness and racism behind the “humor.” If the message on the sign had been anti-Semitic, my friend never would have posted […]
Arizona: Tucson Unified School District is still in damage control mode, denying that it banned any books. But the story’s out of the box … unlike the books TUSD rounded up and put in boxes labeled “banned books.” Banned books, cancelled classes, fired teachers — when anti-intellectuals who hold learning and scholarship in contempt take […]
Home again, winding down from the elevated level of tension that comes with staying alert while driving long distances and dealing with traffic. How much distance? About 2,500 miles. How much traffic? Be glad you don’t live or work in Los Angeles. Yes, we were there, and yes, it’s that bad. It’s that bad in […]
“Good evening, Mr. Hunt. Thirty-six hours ago, there was a breach in our military’s communication network. Now, an emerging terror organization known as The Syndicate has control of our entire drone fleet. Their targets unknown. Your mission, should you choose to accept it… ” — Recorded voice in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Rise of the […]
I grew up with radio, not so much with TV. I don’t think mom and dad got their first set until I was seven; one year later we went to Germany and left it behind. For the next three years all we had was American military radio, which broadcast old serials and sitcoms from the […]
Time for another Air-Minded diary? Sure it is. This time let’s take a look at a Century Series fighter from the 1950s, the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo. There were three distinct variations of the Voodoo — a fighter-bomber, a tactical reconnaissance aircraft, and an air defense interceptor — but I’m going to concentrate on the interceptor, […]
You Can’t Read That! is a periodic post featuring banned book reviews and news roundups. Arizona: Here’s a good summary of the prejudices and fears behind Arizona’s ethnic studies ban and the removal of certain books from Tucson high school classes. Elsewhere: “I know up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here […]
I am “kind and broad-minded.” So says the fortune cookie that came with last night’s Thai takeout. The provenance is shaky at best (Thai food & fortune cookies?), and it’s not really a fortune, but I’ll take the compliment and answer, “Thank you, I try to be.” I’m expecting a call from the Ducati dealer […]