Category Archives: arts

No kings, no dictators, no violence


My neighbor Swamp Rabbit was reminding me that I’d promised to take part in the No Kings rallies, like millions of other people who are fed up with Donald Trump’s ongoing effort to end democracy in America. “Go away,” I … Continue reading

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Arguing about ‘One Battle After Another’


My juicehead neighbor Swamp Rabbit and I were debating the merits of the Academy Award-winning One Battle After Another. “It’s what they call a tour de force,” I said. “A satire, a black comedy, a political statement, an action movie, … Continue reading

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Judge invokes Orwell in ruling on slavery exhibit


“Are they really gonna put that stuff back?” Swamp Rabbit said. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” He’s right, the battle isn’t over, but censorship foes will appreciate the literary allusion made by U.S. District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe … Continue reading

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So easy to love — for a while


My annoying neighbor Swamp Rabbit was addressing my tendency to be late with everything. “Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, Odd Man. Today is just another day.” I told him I was working yesterday and didn’t have time to think about love, … Continue reading

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Jeff Bezos as Charles Foster Kane


Kudos to Bernie Sanders for stating the obvious about the billionaire weasel responsible for the ongoing decline of a top-tier newspaper: Jeff Bezos could afford to spend $75 million on the Melania movie and $500 million for a yacht to … Continue reading

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Where have all the protest songs gone?


I was telling my neighbor Swamp Rabbit that Bruce Springsteen’s new song about the DHS murders in Minneapolis is heartfelt and timely. Too bad the melody is dreary, the vocal overwrought and the likelihood of the song changing the beliefs … Continue reading

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Insurrection? I don’t remember that.


From The New York Times, another reminder that being a dictator means having the power to replace the historical record with self-serving propaganda: The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery removed wall text that referred to President Trump’s two impeachments — language … Continue reading

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Get with it, clean energy fans. Hire influencers.


Lately I’ve been either jogging or writing, and my newsy neighbor Swamp Rabbit wants to know what’s up. “How come you spendin’ so much time in Bog Water Homes?’ he said, naming the swampy development where we live. “You get … Continue reading

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Songs for a cool Yule and beyond


I was putting together this year’s Christmas playlist with help from my neighbor Swamp Rabbit, who has strong opinions about holiday music. “No more ‘Jingle Bells!’” he shouted. “There are two thousand versions out there and they all suck.” He … Continue reading

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I do believe in spooks!


Swamp Rabbit was concerned about my mental health. He had decorated the front of his shack with jack-‘o-lanterns and plastic tombstones and so on, and he was wondering why my shack looked so dark and uninviting. “You need some skeletons … Continue reading

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