Movie Review: “The Butler” Serves Up Historical Farce on a Silver Platter
Read MoreThe Butler opens with an important disclosure: “Inspired by a True Story”
Which begs a few questions — what’s true and what’s not?
Gays Aren’t Destroying the Institution of Marriage — Rather, They’re Saving It
Read MoreOpponents of changing marriage laws in the United States claim that extending these rights to same-sex couples “threatens the institution of marriage.”
But evidence shows that gays are hardly matrimony’s primary menace. In fact, it’s the straights, the so-called traditionalists who have evaded, mocked, and in increasing numbers abandoned the most sacred marriage vow, “I wed thee….’til death do us part.”
Why Mao Tse-tung Still Matters
Read MoreI’m attracted to historical biographies. Perhaps it’s an inherent sense of curiosity combined with the obligation to spend at least some measure of time reading the works of dedicated authors who in rare instances spent not merely years, but decades conducting extensive research and ultimately giving new life to people and subjects we thought we already knew well, but may have misunderstood.
Such is definitely the case with one of my favorite books, The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York, the 1974 Pulitzer Prize winner for non-fiction.
Such is also the case for any of the four other Robert A. Caro books on Lyndon B. Johnson, clearly the most thorough research and writing exercise ever conducted on a U.S President by one man. Such is also the case with John Adams by David McCullough, arguably our most noted historian. I could go on and on.
Such is also the case with “Mao: The Untold Story,” written by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday.
Should You Give Money to Street Beggars?
Read More
One thing I’ve noticed about how things have changed here in Las Vegas during the past year of the COVID pandemic is the obvious decline in panhandling, especially at busy traffic intersections.
Before masks and protocols, street beggars could be seen everywhere. Some street corners had panhandlers working in teams on both sides of the street. Putting up at a red light subjected drivers to a parade of sad-looking souls. In some cases, the needs were legitimate. In others, the beggars were scammers.
If and when life gets back to “normal,” will panhandling return, and when it does, do you think it helps to give them money?
That question is the basis of today’s column, updated from a previous article that I posted years ago.
Thoughts on the Controversial Rolling Stone Cover
Read MoreRolling Stone magazine isn’t what it used to be.
But it tries to remain relevant. And it occasionally still is. Like this month.
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