Category Archives: Politicians and Other Lower Life Forms

The Relentless Grip Of An Undead War

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Gavin Stevens

The Vietnam War has been much on my mind of late.  Being of a certain age, it is a continuing subject of interest even if it seems tired and trite to those much younger.  And now I find that I … Continue reading →

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The Morning Of Our Discontent

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Gavin Stevens

Last night our nation’s Congress finally passed a bill to extend our debt ceiling and to fund our government, relieving it from the shutdown forced by a wholly dysfunctional, irrational Congress – a shutdown costing our economy an estimated $24,000,000,000.  There was … Continue reading →

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The Lost Lessons of Art

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Gavin Stevens

This is something I think about often. This great river of American soulfulness, from Anne Hutchinson to Henry Thoreau to Sojourner Truth to Margaret Fuller to Fats Waller to Bob Dylan to William Carlos Williams to William Faulkner to Janis … Continue reading →

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Saving America’s Virtue

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Gavin Stevens

“Elaborate care went into figuring out the precise gradations of coercion,” said David B. Rivkin Jr., a lawyer who served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.  “Yes, it’s jarring. But it shows how both the … Continue reading →

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Shane! Come Back Shane!: A Modest Proposal

Posted on June 24, 2009 by Gavin Stevens

I think we need a gunslinger Somebody tough to tame this town I think we need a gunslinger There’ll be justice all around. John Fogerty, “Gunslinger,” from his 2008 album Revival Congressman Jim McDermott, the liberal Democrat from the 7th … Continue reading →

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Thanks, But No Thanks

Posted on December 29, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that despite President Bush’s low approval ratings, people will soon “start to thank this president for what he’s done.” CNN on-line article, December 29, 2008 Condoleeza Rice is living in a dream world of … Continue reading →

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Blunt Truths

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

“Tyrant! You are a tyrant!” Washington State Justice Richard B. Sanders to Attorney General Michael Mukasey at the annual Federalist Society dinner, 2008 I don’t normally find myself in much agreement with Justice Richard Sanders of our State’s Supreme Court. … Continue reading →

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Palinopsia

Posted on November 13, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

palinopsia pal·i·nop·si·a (pāl’ə-nŏp’sē-ə)n. Abnormally recurring visual imagery. The American Heritage® Stedman’s Medical Dictionary What is the hold that Sarah Palin seems to have on the American media establishment? There doesn’t appear to be any real substance to her, yet the … Continue reading →

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Palinburgers, anyone?

Posted on October 22, 2008 by Eliot Mentor

Far be it for me to attempt to predict the outcome of the next presidential election. Remember the foolish headline that the Chicago Daily Tribune put out on the streets announcing the election of Tom Dewey and inferring that Harry … Continue reading →

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Mockingbirds and Stopwatches

Posted on October 17, 2008 by Gavin Stevens

“‘What’s the matter?’ I asked. Atticus said nothing. I looked up at Mr. Cunningham, whose face was equally impassive. Then he did a peculiar thing. He squatted down and took me by both shoulders. ‘I’ll tell him you said hey, … Continue reading →

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