We joke about disturbing news being the sign of the decline of civilization, but articles like this really do suggest to me a sadly backward swinging pendulum.

That, and Anthony Burgess was sadly prescient about a bit of the old ultra-violence:
"...There was nothing I hated more than to see a filthy old drunkie, a-howling away at the filthy songs ( Read more... )

So we saw Pirates of the Caribbean yesterday, and I have to agree (mostly) with yendi - I gave the first one a (very surprised) A-, and I would give the second one a (very grossed out) B ( Read more... )