Ponderings
The New Pope’s Smoke
AOL news reports on the ongoing smokestack watch happening at the Vatican. “Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said smoke from burned ballot papers enhanced by special chemicals likely could be seen at about noon (6 a.m. EDT) and about 7 p.m. (1 p.m. EDT) on each day of voting by the […]
Is Norway Rich or in "Denial?"
Bruce Bawer wrote in Sunday’s NY Times about Norway’s perception that is it the world’s richest country. “In Oslo, library collections are woefully outdated, and public swimming pools are in desperate need of maintenance. News reports describe serious shortages of police officers and school supplies. When my mother-in-law went to […]
Paying the Rwandan Weavers or the Bank
Today’s NY Times includes this story about Eziba, a failed dot com that used to sell African handicrafts until it went belly up last year. “Since its debut in 1999, Eziba was never shy about publicizing the benefits it bestowed on vendors around the world. The company said it paid […]
The Sahel–Where Terrorism Breeds
Robert D. Kaplan is perhaps my all time favorite author. His non fiction accounts of travel blend the politics of today with the history of the ages, and it makes for compelling reading. I picked up a copy of April’s Atlantic and found his report from Niger, called “America’s African […]
I Wish I Could Remember You
Women are better than men at remembering people. I learned this last night, when I took a time travel train back 35 years to my days at summer camp in Vermont. The reunion took place at Kevin St. James, on 8th Ave in Hell’s Kitchen NYC. The bar was lively […]
Back to Camp Kokosing
Kay oh, Kay Oh, Ess eye en gee, Kay Oh, Kay oh! ess eye en gee. That was our song long, long ago when each summer I boarded a bus in Brooklyn with forty mostly New Yorkers and traveled to Thetford Center, Vermont to camp. It was not just any […]
Why I like Being an Internet Man
The NY Post reports on Business, just like sports; “The head of The Wall Street Journal’s empire, Peter Kann, could be sweating over his job, again. Earnings plunged by 54 percent at the newspaper’s parent Dow Jones & Co., with its fledgling online operations earning more money for the first […]
Flavorpill–You Like it Filtered
The New York Times magazine comes in a $4.50 wrapper, so I read it on line. This was included in last week’s issue. “Flavorpill now has scores of contributors who straddle the line between critic and fan. A recent issue of the New York version included a ”stoner/psych rock” show […]
Sudanese Ambassador Confronted by Students
From Littlegreenfootballs.com today: One of the best stories I’ve read today is this account of the confrontation at Belmont University in Nashville between anti-idiotarian students and the ambassador from Sudan’s “Islamic republic:” Sudan’s envoy gets hostile reception at Belmont. (Hat tip: Bill Hobbs.) An unusual gathering at Belmont University featured […]
Camilla Will Be Queen
Tina Brown is a royal-watcher with credentials, she’s British and knows what the signals mean. Her recent Washington Post column surmises what will take place in the years ahead of Charles and Camilla. “The prince’s intentions to crown Camilla have actually been clear all along. Item: the gift of the […]
Doing What You Love–Now THAT’s Real Money!
Tne NY Times keeps track of the stories that are emailed the most; often this is where you’ll find the best stories. This one was about a millionaire who decided to work as a train conductor in NJ. “Walter Joe O’Rourke, who never wed, is married to the rails. Despite […]