You Can’t Read That! Banned Book Review: Robopocalypse

You Can’t Read That! is a periodic post featuring banned book reviews and news roundups. The 30th annual Banned Books Week (September 30-October 6) dominates the news this month. In the leadup to BBW, the American Library Association offers an interactive timeline covering 30 years of book banning attempts in the United States. Nice Banned […]

What Fire?

Reference yesterday’s post, a conservative friend on Facebook asks where all this racism is … he’s never seen any. Sorry, couldn’t resist responding to the comment.  You know, though, you hear this on the right, and you hear it a lot.  What racism?  We’re not racists!  Don’t you dare call us racists!  We love Gabby […]

Playing with Fire

Sometimes I update my Facebook profile picture with ones I’ve manipulated at Photofunia.com.  Like this: People enjoy these photos and often comment on them.  This one, which I put up on Tuesday, the first day of the Republican convention in Tampa, drew several remarks, including one from a black friend who said: “Is Obama friends […]

Maintaining Motorcycle and Soul

Zen and motorcycle maintenance became one this morning. Or, more prosaically, routine maintenance was exactly that: routine, no glitches, no do-overs, no emergency runs to the parts counter. That in itself is a kind of Zen, but in addition to a fun morning working on the bike, I’ve now got a great cross-country ride to […]

Friday Cultie Bag

Just so we’re all on the same page again: cultie=cult bike=Ducati.  That there is a Ducati bag I’m tempted to buy.  It would go on the little rack in back.  Of course I’d need a magnetic tank bag as well.  Oh, wait.  The cultie’s going to be Polly’s ride, not mine.  Time to stop thinking […]

Tuesday Bag o’ Happiness

Happy? Sure, why not? For one thing, this bag makes me happy. I wonder if I can find one for Donna? Damn, that was fast … thanks, Google! And only $79,95! Well, maybe for Christmas. I’d be happier if Donna weren’t coming down with the cold I’m finally shaking off. The bad part is she […]

Conduct Unbecoming

By now, I’m sure, you’ve heard about the Special Operations Opsec Education Fund, a group of retired military officers trying to swiftboat President Obama.  According to them, Obama should have kept the killing of Osama bin Laden a secret.  By announcing that US forces had caught and killed bin Laden, they say, Obama compromised classified operational […]