The death of reactionary Justice Scalia has loosened the conservative grip on the U.S. Supreme Court. The short-handed court, divided 4-4, ruled for public sector unions in a suit by the California Teachers Association. The decision could affect the lives of millions of Americans. “We know the wealthy extremists who pushed this case want to limit the ability of workers to … [Read more...]
Celebrating 400th birthday of incomparable Bard
“Brush up your Shakespeare / Start quoting him now / Brush up your Shakespeare / And the women you will wow.” — From “Kiss Me Kate” musical based on “The Taming of the Shrew” Some critics of William Shakespeare’s day called him a Shake-scene, an upstart crow. One playwright of that era described him as someone who “beautified himself with our feathers.” The great novelist … [Read more...]
Modern Bonanza Kings
My fascination with Virginia City and its history began on my first visit to the tiny hamlet on the Comstock. It occurred sometime around Mackay Day when I was a student at Nevada. My roommate, Bob Burke and I took the short drive up Geiger Grade because he had visited there several times before and wanted to make sure I saw it for myself. Since I was a journalism major, … [Read more...]
Bleak prospects for Trans-Pacific trade accord
The huge multinational trade deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is being thoroughly trashed in this year’s campaigning for president, leading some political observers to doubt it will ever be signed by Congress. A news analysis by Ian Gustafson of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs reported that the U.S. has exerted “extraordinary influence” over the agreement. He … [Read more...]
Book on existentialism, like all philosophy, is baloney
"There is nothing so absurd but some philosopher has said it." - Cicero The absurdity of philosophy has ancient roots for good reason: it is true. If you want proof read the history of existentialism by Sarah Bakewell. Her new book, “At the Existential Café,” even carries an absurd subtitle: “Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails.” “Jean-Paul Sartre mixed his ideas with … [Read more...]
Garland portends Supreme Court’s return to liberalism
The recent nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court could greatly change court rulings in a liberal direction. Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, is a centrist, having voted sometimes conservatively, sometimes liberally. On the appeals court, he voted for Citizens United, the poisonous big money decision by the … [Read more...]
U.S. supports human rights violations in Egypt
The American public is aware of the endless wars perpetuated by the United States. But it seems unaware of the nation’s support for countries with gross human rights violations. Namely: Egypt, which specializes in murder, torture, “enforced disappearances” and suppression of all dissent. The Egyptian government under President Fattah al-Sisi has shut down the nation’s … [Read more...]
Scams bedeviling the unwary can be costly
This column, although it tells about my wife’s horrifying experience, is not just about her. It is a column designed to alert the unwary of the costly price of being duped. Here’s what happened to her: “I recently received a phone call from a Florida number (305-600-3299),” she said. “The male voice called me grandma and I responded, ‘Doug’? ‘Yes,’ he replied. “He said … [Read more...]