“The quality of mercy is not strained; / It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest; / It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” Portia, Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” Act IV, Scene 1 As his last pardon before leaving office, President Obama granted mercy to Chelsea Manning. OK. But the sad irony is that … [Read more...]
Shakespeare, Beethoven head my personal Pantheon
The following is a Valhalla of great people in history who interested and fascinated me: • Shakespeare, best playwright and poet of all time. • Beethoven, the greatest, most profound composer ever. • Thomas Paine, blaster of organized religion in “The Age of Reason” and revolutionist in three countries, America, Britain and France. • Voltaire, battler of religious … [Read more...]