I watch a lot of nature shows on television. Which is to say I know that, drop for drop, the venom of the box jellyfish is the world’s deadliest. And I know the great white shark has the most powerful bite force. And I know that, each year, no animal on earth is responsible for more human deaths than … the mosquito. I’ve amassed all kinds of fun facts over the years, … [Read more...]
More stupid signs of our republic’s decline
In addition to all the red flags and warning lights flashed by us unpatriotic denizens of fake news media, equally serious signals from the frivolous end of reality abide. So let’s begin with the end. RUMPELSTILTSKINNY DIPPING. In an economic slump we increasingly share, the Chinese government has found one positive rump index to tout: sales of men’s boxers and briefs have … [Read more...]
Ending net neutrality speeded up Internet
It has been a year since the Federal Communication Commission repealed net neutrality rules created by Obama’s FCC in 2015. Yet, the Internet miraculously survives. In fact, it is running 36 percent faster now that the meddlesome feds have been removed from the equation and the free market has been allowed to compete and innovate. Net neutrality resurrected 1930s-style Ma … [Read more...]
Legendary newsman
One of the best Christmas presents I received last year was a soft cover book measuring 9 inches deep and 6 inches wide. It was easy to hold and even easier to read as it was a compilation of some 100 columns of legendary newsman Ty Cobb. The book was delivered by Ty’s oldest son, Ty Jr., which gave the two of us the opportunity to reminisce about Ty Sr. The tome was … [Read more...]
The powerful pull of nostalgia
Who can doubt the power of Christmas? If you are born and raised in Western Civilization, you cannot not react to the cultural tsunami surge of December 25th. Its drum beat is powerful and loud, a rhythm to which your soul will rock and sway even if you are keen to resist. The collective psychological reach of Christmas is vast, operating in virtual independence of its … [Read more...]
Worldwide Discord
THREE M’s. IN TROUBLE. Currently Macron, of France, May of England and Markel of Germany are suffering the tides of misfortune. For Macron who is well known for lecturing Trump on his policies, is witnessing violent riots in the very heart of Paris which are occasion by his proposed tax on gasoline in order to fight global warming. . For May, she had to offer not to seek … [Read more...]
Federal Sports Betting Bill Usurps State Powers
Now, precisely where in the U.S. Constitution is Congress given the power to “maintain a distinct Federal interest in the integrity and character of professional and amateur sporting contests”? But this is what a bill introduced this past week by Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York — dubbed the Sports Wagering Market Integrity … [Read more...]
Crystal Balls: Peerless Predixions 2019 & Beyond
Time to peer into a beer bottle to reflect on the past and illuminate the gloom of 2019. Last December 26, I wrote that “Great Depression Part Deux will hit in the third quarter of (2018), too late to help Democrats. Paying attention to publicly available information, I called the 2007-08 meltdown well over two years ahead. (See BarbanoMedia.com/)” So how did that stack … [Read more...]