So I can't say much about it. Indeed I haven't been inside a movie theater in years so I have no idea what recent movies are like. Of course the reason I haven't seen any recent movies is that I just can't summon up any interest in any of them. I'm guessing that David Walsh is pretty much on the mark (and Wallerstein's analysis seems to tie some ( Read more... )

Favoritism and influence are not … avoidable in representative politics. It is in the nature of an elected representative to favor certain policies, and, by necessary corollary, to favor the voters and contributors who support those policies. It is well understood that a substantial and legitimate reason, if not the only reason, to cast a vote for ( Read more... )

Happy New Year

( Keeping track of the times, for my own sanity, or whatever )

The new movie's dubious art as an exercise in sixties nostalgia is that it destroys the best of what it would have us remember. And it does this without our noticing. The uncritical response to this movie has been astounding. So let me remind you: until now, the two power sources making the Star Trek franchise go have been sex and intellect and the ( Read more... )

Nevada Rep finishes this season with Metamorphoses. While waiting for the show to begin last night I kept wondering when the pool would be filled with water. It never was. That's a major deviation from the imagery of the play. Perhaps there are liability issues that couldn't be settled. There was no problem with the character Eros being naked, ( Read more... )

[W]hereas the reactionaries were beaten, and even discouraged, they were not at all reconciled to the liberal regime. Sullen and menacing, they lurked in the shadows of the liberal structure, watching and waiting for their opportunity to destroy it.
--J. Salwyn Schapiro[A]ny American citizen concerned with the influence of his or her country in the ( Read more... )

I need to read a couple of books to make my own sense of what McGowan is driving at in the Laurel Canyon series.

( In the meantime )

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I just finished with one pumpkin pie. Only one, because only five of us for dinner tonight. I didn't use the pumpkin from my garden because that would make at least two pies, maybe three. The ice rink didn't open last night as scheduled because of rain. It poured pretty nicely. The rink should open okay this morning. It ( Read more... )

So the last few subject headings have been lines from Mad Men episodes. I'm waiting to see if the show becomes as daring as it claims to be. The third season, when it happens or if it happens (apparently negotiations are still under way), should be the key. Each season covers approximately a year in time, though time has been accelerated a bit. ( Read more... )

Great hike. I hadn't been to Dardanelles in a long time. Nine of us on this hike, and I think we got about four people in the water. It is a bit of a drive, but not like going to the Humbug Trail. There is a better way to get there than I used to go. Take 395 down to 88, and then up to 89--much better than going through South Lake Tahoe. One hiker ( Read more... )