A Planet of Playthings
Sean MurphyWhile writing about Flannery O'Connor the other day, I made the half-serious, half-sardonic observation that dedication like hers is probably impossible to imitate today because of all the noise, electronic…
Send Another Moses
While the Republicans continue to reel, and dig themselves a bit further into that crevasse (while, not wanting to lose any time in the spotlight in an apparent race-to-the-death to see…
Careful with that Axe, Jindal
Note to GOP. This guy: Is going to inspire about as much confidence as these guys: Actually, that's not fair to any of the fine Americans listed above (why would…
“In my stories is where I live.”
Of few writers can it more accurately be said that it is the work, not the life, that matters...That O'Connor was one of the great writers of the 20th century…
Funding for the Arts–the old fashioned way
From Folio: After months of negotiations with the Internal Revenue Service over thousands of dollars owed in unpaid taxes, non-profit literary magazine the Oxford American Friday received a much-needed…
Do You Believe in Miracles?
On Feb. 22, 1980, in a stunning upset, the United States Olympic hockey team defeated the Soviets at Lake Placid, N.Y., 4-to-3. (The U.S. team went on to win the…
Malcolm, Malcolm – Semper Malcolm*
On Feb. 21, 1965, former Black Muslim leader Malcolm X was shot and killed by assassins identified as Black Muslims as he was about to address a rally in…
February 19, 1942
On this day in 1942 Executive Order 9066 was issued. That is, the infamous presidential/executive order that, validated by America's state of war, gave a president (FDR) the power to consign…
Semi-Autobiographical, inspired by a best friend
I am not alone. I have a best friend, who happens to be a dog. He is really good for me, reminding me to eat, sleep, go to the bathroom…
Five Easy Pieces
Music always helps. Here are representations from each of the five major food groups (jazz, blues, reggae, classical, rock) that are unceasingly able to make me happy, or at least…