Monthly Archives: January 2012

Will Colbert take the money and run?

Posted on January 11, 2012 by oddmanout215

Who would have thought a TV talk show host/satirist would prove himself to be smarter and more ethical than most of the people on the U.S. Supreme Court? Well, probably most of us. See this week’s NYT Magazine for a … Continue reading →

Posted in campaign finance reform, humor, mainstream media, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Republicrats follow the money

Posted on January 10, 2012 by oddmanout215

Mike Lofgren of CounterPunch recently wrote that the super-rich have seceded from the United States. OK, we knew that, but read to the end of his article to see how deeply he appreciates the implications of their secession: …Steven Schwarzman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Recession, Mitt Romney, Obama, Politics, pop music, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Terrence Malick’s dream of life

Posted on January 10, 2012 by oddmanout215

I’ve been writing too often about politicians — dull creatures, in most cases, with bad ideas and base motives. So here’s a belated review of my favorite movie of 2011, director/writer Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life. I only saw … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, movies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Banality of a bad guy (Mitt)

Posted on January 8, 2012 by oddmanout215

I like to think each of us is in some way unique, not because we have different fingerprints and DNA, but rather because of our souls, whatever those are. A case can be made for Mitt Romney’s uniqueness, even though … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Recession, history, liar, Mitt Romney, Politics, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Michelle Obama, we know how you felt

Posted on January 7, 2012 by oddmanout215

You felt disappointed, puzzled, flabbergasted, alarmed and, finally, betrayed. Isn’t that right, Michelle Obama? If your husband had taken up with a bimbo – that sort of betrayal you could have done something about. But this was much worse. He … Continue reading →

Posted in history, humor, Obama, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Phrase of the month: stealth recall

Posted on January 6, 2012 by oddmanout215

From Huffington Post: A Washington state couple is suing Johnson & Johnson, alleging their toddler son was killed after taking defective Children’s Tylenol from a batch that had been recalled – part of the company’s continuing string of recalls of … Continue reading →

Posted in health care, Philadelphia, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

‘Nausea’

Posted on January 5, 2012 by oddmanout215

This could be about overexposure to presidential primaries, or about the playlist of your typical “alt-rock” station: First verse: Now I’m a seasick sailor On a ship of noise I got my maps all backwards And my instincts poisoned In … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, humor, Politics, pop music, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Orwell as antidote to Obama

Posted on January 4, 2012 by oddmanout215

Last week I posted this in regard to Barack Obama’s profoundly ineffectual performance as president. Next time I feel exasperated, I’ll re-read Russ Baker’s words: …But why should people be surprised by Obama? The system only lets “system types” thrive … Continue reading →

Posted in Congress, history, mainstream media, Obama, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

For New Year’s, maybe I’ll shoot you

Posted on January 3, 2012 by oddmanout215

Thanks, sweetie, just what I wanted for Christmas – a Glock 23 with an extended magazine that holds 33 rounds. Where would we be without our right to bear arms and pretend we’re homesteaders, defending our sod houses against surprise … Continue reading →

Posted in Congress, mainstream media, Obama, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Beset by wenches at S. Philly parade

Posted on January 2, 2012 by oddmanout215

I forgot about the Mummers Parade yesterday, as I do every New Year’s, until I literally ran into it while jogging at midday. A dense crowd on the sidewalks at Broad and Washington was cheering, sort of, for a string … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, livable cities, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments