Lifestyle topics
An education commission formed by the Trump administration after last summer’s Black Lives Matter protests issued a report this week equating progressive politics with fascism and accusing American educators of brainwashing kids. The “1776 Report” prepared by the 18-member commission—with no professional historians—called for “patriotic education,” blasting educators for highlighting the nation’s “sins.” The commission …
“Reputation is what other people know about you. Honour is what you know about yourself. Guard your honour. Let your reputation fall where it will.” (Novelist Lois McMaster Bujold, quoted in The Times) My comment: What you know about yourself can give you secret misgivings, e.g you know you lied to someone when you were …
Since 2010 there has been a steady increase in people being killed by motorists in cars. In that year 4,302 pedestrians were killed on American roads. Since then the total of deaths has steadily increased. In 2018 41% more pedestrians were killed than in 2008. Drivers, on the other hand, have become safer, that is, …
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported at least 72 people to Haiti on Monday, including a two-month-old baby and 21 other children, in an apparent flagrant breach of the Biden administration’s orders only to remove suspected terrorists and potentially dangerous convicted felons. The children were deported to Haiti on Monday on two flights chartered …
President Biden’s proposed $15 minimum wage is a key part of setting the economy right. Predictably, however, critics pounced on it as soon as it was announced, making the usual arguments against paying folks decently. This time, however, because we’re in the middle of a pandemic, these critics are also trying to argue that providing a liveable …
A woman in a supermarket is following a grandfather and his badly-behaved grandson. He has his hands full with the child screaming for candy, cookies, all sorts of things. The grandpa is saying in a controlled voice: “Easy, William, we won’t be long—easy, boy.” The boy has another outburst and she hears the grandpa calmly …
Lisa Montgomery was executed in Indiana last Wednesday morning, becoming the first woman to die under the federal death penalty in nearly seven decades. Her sentence was carried out after the Supreme Court lifted one stay and declined to grant another last-minute request for a delay from her attorneys. The court’s three liberals, Justices Stephen …
Continue reading ‘The disgraceful execution of Lisa Montgomery’ »
Amanda Gorman, the nation’s first-ever youth poet laureate read the following poem during the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20th. One cannot replicate Amanda’s excellent presentation, unfortunately. But the words are wonderful. An amazing talent: When day comes we ask ourselves, Where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we …
The following is my personal list of qualities needed for anyone, woman or man to be judged a good and civilized human being. (There is no significance to the order in which they are listed): Consideration for others Empathy for the sick and old Generosity with time and money, according to means Critical thinking Ethical …
Isn’t it amazing that one man can so easily rile up millions of people, who seem to sincerely believe the national election was stolen from him, no proof needed. I am reminded of my youth at a boarding school. By “tradition”, young boys lacking confidence and struggling with being away from home, were stuffed into …
Continue reading ‘About the current crisis: a parallel story’ »
Pope Francis is taking a big risk by airing progressive views on gay relationships.. In a documentary aired at the Rome film festival last week, he signalled his support for same-sex civil unions (if not marriage), declaring that gay people “have a right to a family [as] they are children of God”. The Pope’s progressive …
Courtesy is a science of the highest importance. It is, like grace and beauty in the body, which charm at first sight, and lead on to further intimacy and friendship, opening a door that we may derive instruction from the example of others, and at the same time enabling us to benefit them by our …
The Cormorant – a poem I stand here many hours a day, Preening, cleaning, blooming, grooming, On the stanchion by the jetty. This is my plinth, my vantage point – – I guard it jealously. No passing seagull – – Life’s competitor, nuisance, curse – – Alights for long, believe me. I stand here watching. …
In the midst of the worst pandemic since 1918, one only growing ever more severe as cases, hospitalizations, and deaths rise precipitously, if you haven’t lost your job or had your hours and wages cut back severely, if you can cover your rent or make your mortgage payments, you may not have noticed …..but more …
Before the covid epidemic about 3.7 million evictions were filed for every average year. Most poor renter families spent at least half their incomes on housing, and about 1 in 4 of these families spent more than 70%, most of whom are Black (most White families own their own houses). Housing is the main driver …
