A very important American institution has come under attack. I'm not talking about those resonating pillars of freedom enshrined in the Bill of Rights, the First and Second Amendments. I'm not talking about the Bill of Rights or the Constitution at all. This American institution is far more sacred than any of that. This American institution gave us … Continue reading Hands Off My Free Speech (Round II)
Month: May 2015
Fresh Air
Cab comes at five. Next post from Bolivia and the fresh Andean air. Judging by the clock on their legislative palace, I'll be older when I get there and younger when I leave.
Winning Big at the County Fair
I could do without the county fair. I don’t like crowds. I’d rather not stand in line for pricey food known to cause obesity and heart attacks. I don’t care for the “Twirling Tots” act on center stage advertising just how little talent exists at the local dance school, and I think Mutts Gone Nutts … Continue reading Winning Big at the County Fair
Arsenal of Democracy
Dear Grandpa, Today a couple dozen World War II aircraft buzzed the National Mall. They flew in honor of the 70th anniversary of VE Day. You can picture the scene: you worked in DC for three decades after leaving the Pacific behind. They flew from the west over the Lincoln Memorial, past your old worksite at … Continue reading Arsenal of Democracy
Hands Off My Free Speech
Hate-speech promoter Pam Geller reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld's dentist, Tim Whately and his quest for total joke-telling immunity. When Jerry tells Father Curtis he thinks Whately converted to Judaism for the jokes, the priest asks, "And this offends you as a Jewish person?" "No," says Jerry. "It offends me as a comedian." Geller's irrational defense of … Continue reading Hands Off My Free Speech
Review–Does Harry Dream of Electric Sheep?
The Marquis de Sade comedy hour? Adolf Hitler touching base with his inner child? A casual discussion of pillage and plunder with Genghis Kahn and Attila the Hun? John Altson’s Does Harry Dream of Electric Sheep? An Adult Social Satire really can lighten any subject. At its core, Altson’s book is a fun riff on Jonathan … Continue reading Review–Does Harry Dream of Electric Sheep?
Ben East Books 