Author Archives: oddmanout215

Greenspan’s legacy is Ayn Rand’s

Posted on March 1, 2012 by oddmanout215

A new book by Gary Weiss details Ayn Rand’s profound influence on generations of right-wing ideologues. Her most prominent contemporary acolyte might be the smug U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, whose goals include abolishing Medicare and Social Security. However, I’m guessing … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, fiction, Great Recession, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

NPR’s new goal — be ‘fair to the truth’

Posted on March 1, 2012 by oddmanout215

A new ethics handbook released by National Public Radio would seem to indicate the network is reacting in a positive way to persistent criticism of its “he said, she said” approach to the news. According to Jay Rosen of PressThink, … Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq war, mainstream media, New York Times, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Santorum throws up on himself

Posted on February 28, 2012 by oddmanout215

From The Raw Story: Rick Santorum wished Tuesday morning that he could rescind his statement of wanting to “throw up” after hearing former President John F. Kennedy’s 1960 speech on the separation of church and state. Appearing on the Laura … Continue reading →

Posted in God Squad, history, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Class warfare? It’s only just begun

Posted on February 26, 2012 by oddmanout215

I should change my name to Ed Anger. Or Joe Jeremiad. I’m disgusted that the robber barons who rule the GOP were able, with much help from the corporate media, to push into the language the catchphrase “right to work,” … Continue reading →

Posted in David Brooks, economic collapse, globalization, Great Recession, mainstream media, Mitt Romney, New York Times, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Obama: Love me, I’m a liberal

Posted on February 23, 2012 by oddmanout215

Once I was young and impulsive I wore every conceivable pin Even went to the socialist meetings Learned all the old union hymns But I’ve grown older and wiser And that’s why I’m turning you in So love me, love … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, liar, Politics, The New Depression | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Ash Wednesday blues

Posted on February 22, 2012 by oddmanout215

A butcher friend of mine on Ninth Street said hello today, and I couldn’t help but notice the thin black cross on his forehead. I realized this was the first day of Lent and the cross was ash rubbed into … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, pop music | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Serfin’ USA (the new feudalism)

Posted on February 22, 2012 by oddmanout215

Did Cameron Diaz go under the knife? Will the stars of Hangover 3 score big pay increases? These are the questions that try journalists’ souls. Meanwhile, in another world, in a piece called “Is Market Capitalism Dead?,” Columbia Prof. Thomas … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, globalization, mainstream media, Mitt Romney, New York Times, unemployment, Wall Street, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

My birthday in outer space

Posted on February 20, 2012 by oddmanout215

I love the past, which doesn’t exist/until I summon it, or make it up,/and I love how you believe/and certify me by your belief,/whoever you are, a fiction too,/held together by what? Personality?/Voice…? — from “Loves,” by Stephen Dunn **** … Continue reading →

Posted in history, humor | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

GOP gets medieval on our ass

Posted on February 19, 2012 by oddmanout215

My two favorite Catholics recently weighed in regarding American bishops opposed to the use of contraceptives. First comedian Stephen Colbert warned that American Catholic women who are unopposed — i.e., the majority of those who are sexually active — are … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, movies | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The evil-of-two-lessers argument

Posted on February 17, 2012 by oddmanout215

Do progressives need reminding that the current crop of Republicans are intent on scuttling New Deal legislation and pushing the country further to the right than Mussolini’s Italy? Of course not, but this doesn’t stop “centrists” from scolding those of … Continue reading →

Posted in mainstream media, Obama, The New Depression, unemployment | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments