A Thought for the Day

Gandalf’s judgment on Denethor as given in Lord of the Rings: The Third Age: Thus is the havoc when a steward breaks his solemn bond with his people. Gondor shunned counsel, chose to dominate its subjects. While its sons were sent to die in hopeless causes, alliances faltered. Hope withered. Armies were squandered, leaders lost.Continue reading “A Thought for the Day”

"Shame on Bush!"

Last night I attended my first political rally. Democratic Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards was holding a rally at the North Carolina State fairgrounds with Jon Bon Jovi. The arena was filled almost to capacity–five or six thousand people. The candidate’s daughter, Cate Edwards, introduced the singer, who performed a few acoustic numbers, then theContinue reading “"Shame on Bush!"”

Why I Worry For The Future

You know what’s frightening about the current Presidential election cycle? The level of willful ignornace shown by large segments of the American populace. I’ve seen several articles on the phenomenon, and Dave Pell, writer of Electablog, has the latest article on the subject. Pell writes: “A significant number of Americans are bewildered when they seeContinue reading “Why I Worry For The Future”

Odds and Sods

Paul Lewis, an English professor at Boston College, authored an editorial, “The Gollum Voters” for the Boston Globe earlier this month that describes how many “[miss] the deep ambivalence plauging many Bush and Kerry supporters, an ambivalence that characterizes what me might call their Gollum mindset.” What is that mindset? Lewis: “As Bush and KerryContinue reading “Odds and Sods”

Bill Clinton, Cabinet Secretary?

John Kerry has said in his campaign speeches that he wants to restore America’s standing among the international community, rolling back the unilateralist policies of the Bush administration. Here’s a thought. If the desired result is a return to the status quo ante Bush, what about nominating Bill Clinton as Secretary of State? Let’s setContinue reading “Bill Clinton, Cabinet Secretary?”

The Friday Five – Highday, 19 Blotmath

Before we begin with this week’s edition of The Friday Five I would like to say that I would really like to be able to buy and play Hellboy for the PlayStation. It has been released in Europe, two years ago if memory serves, and while there’s long been a rumor of a North AmericanContinue reading “The Friday Five – Highday, 19 Blotmath”