Author Archives: oddmanout215

Terrence Malick’s dream of life


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)


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


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


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’


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


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


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


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

It’s 2012, and the frauds are still free


I wonder if the old Stones’ song “I’m Free” is on Lloyd Blankfein’s iPod? The song crossed my mind while reading Danny Schechter’s article about the media’s “lack of any real investigation of Wall Street crimes, and the indictments of … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Goldman Sachs, Great Recession, mainstream media, Occupy Wall Street, Politics, The New Depression, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Obama’s see-no-evil supporters


Happy New Year, Glenn Greenwald. Thank you for firing back at “progressives” who rightly attack Ron Paul for some of his views but ignore the fact that Paul, not Barack Obama, “advocates policy views on issues that liberals and progressives … Continue reading →

Posted in Congress, Great Recession, mainstream media, Obama, Politics, The New Depression, unemployment | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment