Today in the United States, money is to politics what the Conemaugh River was to Johnstown. Continue reading “Money ≠ Speech”
Money ≠ Speech
On the Issue of Gun Control
When people on the “let’s have fewer massacres in schools” side of the gun control debate talk about “common sense gun laws,” they are talking broadly about three things: universal background checks, a ban on high-capacity magazines, and a renewed ban on military assault weapons. The first two are essential, and I think I have a compromise position on the last that could make both sides the least unhappy.
Them Old Third Party Blues
Truly viable third parties are the Bigfoot and Loch Ness Monster of American politics. Lots of people believe in them, but there’s no empirical evidence that they exist.
Black Panther: A Colonizer’s Appreciation
In February of this year, assuming you’re reading this in 2018, a little indie movie called Black Panther appeared in theaters and proceed to inhale all the money in the world. Continue reading “Black Panther: A Colonizer’s Appreciation”
Does Prager University Understand… Anything?
If you don’t know who Dennis Prager is, then 1) I envy you and 2) you’re not alone. Prager is a conservative radio personality from a previous decade. He’s not as well known as he used to be because he operates at a disadvantage in today’s conservative media market. He’s not batshit crazy.
Continue reading “Does Prager University Understand… Anything?”
Attack of the Petulant Toxic Fanboys
To believe a disproportionately vocal minority of Star Wars fans, Episode VIII, The Last Jedi was such an affront to all that was good and special about Star Wars, that it was like writer-director Rian Johnson dropped his trousers and took a wet steaming dump all over the franchise.
A Well-Regulated Militia
A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.
My earnestly liberal friends, in their very justified desire for some movement on even the most modest gun safety laws, often stumble over two unforced errors on the subject of the second amendment to the Constitution.
Caffeinating While Black
Recently in Philadelphia, the nickname “The City of Brotherly Love” was more ironic than deserved. Continue reading “Caffeinating While Black”
Patriotism
The controversy over currently-former-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has stimulated fresh ruminations on my part about the true nature of patriotism. In short, if your concept of “patriotism” is tied up in superficial symbols of your country, and not in the well-being of its people, then you’re doing patriotism wrong.
Allow Me to Go Off Topic
Since Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Seth MacFarlane aired their brilliant update of Carl Sagan’s Cosmos earlier this year, I’ve heard occasional misguided talk of a second “season” of the show, perhaps starring Dr. Michio Kaku. Continue reading “Allow Me to Go Off Topic”