we're not, amiright? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ1VorN9Cl0 Got soul.
The NRA Wants You(r money)
In early 2016, President Obama proposed certain minimal gun regulations aimed at reducing gun violence. It was mainly aimed at making sure gun sales via the internet and gun shows followed the same regulations for background checks, etc., as those who had a physical nexus. But, of course, the nation went ballistic, claiming that Obama was trying to ‘take their guns away’. And what do you think happened? Gun sales, which had been on the rise for the past decade, soared, of course.
Jeb Bush said Obama’s plan would take away the rights of someone “selling a gun out of their collection, a one-off gun”. Marco Rubio says Obama’s plan is to “take away our guns.” And in the light of all this mis-understood rhetoric, gun sales soared.
And then came Donald Trump. As I wrote in a July column under Trump, gun sales declined by 17% during Trump’s first…
View original post 983 more words
Moment of Silence
Today, of all days, marks a good time to pause and remember. And as millions of Americans struggle with present threats, its important to emphasize what unites is, instead of what divides us.
Speaking of Statues
Atop the U.S. Capitol Dome stands a 19 ½-foot, 15,000-lb bronze woman in a classical Roman chiton. Workers hoisted her up there in five pieces, completing her installation in December 1863. Not a good year for national unity. She's unusual for her era. "Armed Freedom," as she's known, bears a sword and wears a helmet at … Continue reading Speaking of Statues
Monuments, Torches, & Ketchup
Regardless of where you stand on the removal of monuments to Confederate slavery and racism, one thing is clear: the decades-long struggle of non-smokers everywhere goes entirely forgotten, with nary a statue.* In the 1970s the restaurants my family frequented offered non-smokers three tables at best. We might wait half an hour just to get … Continue reading Monuments, Torches, & Ketchup
Deplorable
The ghost of Hillary Clinton had something to say in California this week: "I get the nomination. So I'm now the nominee of the Democratic Party. I inherit nothing from the Democratic Party. I mean, it was bankrupt, it was on the verge of insolvency, its data was mediocre to poor, nonexistent, wrong. I had … Continue reading Deplorable
Black Fried Egg
Cheap.
Sin Tax, by Preston Lang, coming July 1 from All Due Respect Books
Just like Preston Lang to put out his next neo-noir surprise without telling anyone. Two months later: Surprise! Dark, humorous matter available. Review coming soon. Everyone knows that cigarettes will kill you. Mark works the overnight in a grimy deli in the Bronx, selling gray market smokes and bad meat. His hotheaded manager Janet pushes him … Continue reading Sin Tax, by Preston Lang, coming July 1 from All Due Respect Books
Trivial Armchair Protest #2
Is this really necessary?! I believe in pants. Pants are good, modest clothing. Call them trousers if you like: trousers are just as good as pants. Socks, to prevent blisters. Shoes, black or brown. Keep it simple. A belt to hold up your pants or trousers is a common-sense approach. Black or brown, as with your … Continue reading Trivial Armchair Protest #2
A Baseball Story at the Break
Among other things Guts has been a political story, a Mother's Day story, a Father's Day story, and a Fourth of July story. Today it's a baseball story again. If you're not watching the MLB All-Stars fireworks tonight---or looking for something to read during the commercial breaks between innings---have a look at Guts. This was my … Continue reading A Baseball Story at the Break
