Author Archives: oddmanout215

PA’s frackin’ Scrooge of the Year

Posted on December 21, 2011 by oddmanout215

James Carville noted years ago that, from the standpoint of political strategists, “Pennsylvania is Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and Alabama in between,” or words to that effect. He has been pilloried by critics on the left and right for his remark, … Continue reading →

Posted in environmentalism, Great Recession, history, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

These days, a bad tooth can break you

Posted on December 20, 2011 by oddmanout215

How many people have realized that the presumption of belonging to a “middle class” is delusional and dangerous? Enough to toss the reactionaries out of Congress in 2012? Maybe, but wouldn’t the current crop be replaced by a new bunch … Continue reading →

Posted in campaign finance reform, Congress, economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, Occupy Wall Street, Politics, The New Depression, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The personal liberties lie

Posted on December 19, 2011 by oddmanout215

Columnist George Will is rarely at a loss for words, but he could only respond with cliches yesterday when Barney Frank asked him to square his alleged libertarian leanings with his authoritarian views on personal liberties. Another guest on the … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, mainstream media, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A semi-grudging salute to Hitchens

Posted on December 18, 2011 by oddmanout215

My respect for Christopher Hitchens’ talent never waned, even when he used it to defend the likes of George W. Bush. Hitchens often argued that his support for the Iraq war followed logically from his abhorrence of tyranny in all … Continue reading →

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

A Christmas blessing

Posted on December 17, 2011 by oddmanout215

So I’m biking to pick up medicine in South Philly a few nights ago, and I find myself behind a slow-moving flatbed truck, tall and wide and crammed with Christmas trees, and spewing vile fumes. And there are cars parked … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, livable cities, movies, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Oldie but goodie: Myth of liberal media

Posted on December 16, 2011 by oddmanout215

Noam Chomsky, Edward Herman and Justin Lewis discuss how elites use the big lie to disallow expressions of opinion that are outside what’s acceptable to the corporate media: Herman: The mainstream media really represent elite interests, and they serve those … Continue reading →

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

Shine On Brightly

Posted on December 16, 2011 by oddmanout215

The chandelier in sinful swing as gifts for me the three kings bring of myrrh and frankincense, I’m told, and fat old Buddhas carved in gold Google the lyrics of the title song of Procol Harum’s second album, Shine On … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, pop music | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Barack Obama, the human cave-in

Posted on December 16, 2011 by oddmanout215

I’m stumped. What does Barack Obama believe in? Is there any promise he wouldn’t break, any anti-progressive stand he wouldn’t take if he thought it might gain him some political advantage? Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth is convinced … Continue reading →

Posted in Congress, Great Recession, history, mainstream media, Obama, Politics, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Person of Year should be Pepper-Spray Cop

Posted on December 15, 2011 by oddmanout215

Here’s Time magazine’s argument — the writer was Kurt Andersen — for why 2011 was the Year of the Protester: So 2011 was unlike any year since 1968 – but more consequential because more protesters have more skin in the … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Occupy Wall Street, Politics, The New Depression, Uncategorized, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Onion exclusive: Tom Joad goes to Mars

Posted on December 14, 2011 by oddmanout215

I sometimes kid the Onion for taking a lame approach to political satire — for shooting at battleships with a BB gun. However, its social satire is often right on the money: RUMSON, NJ—After more than a year of writing … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, humor, pop music | Tagged | 1 Comment