Category Archives: history

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

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

Poe at the billionaires’ bash

Posted on February 1, 2012 by oddmanout215

Bill Moyers and William Winship commenting on the arrogance of “imperial swells” who throw grand parties to congratulate themselves on their great wealth: This one occurred here in Manhattan at the annual black-tie dinner and induction ceremony for Kappa Beta … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, fiction, Goldman Sachs, history, humor, New York Times, Occupy Wall Street, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sitting Bull at Starbucks

Posted on January 20, 2012 by oddmanout215

When I can no longer conjure up a good thought, let alone write a good sentence, I turn on the TV. Last night PBS showed a documentary about Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who was wiped out with more than … Continue reading →

Posted in history, humor | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

MLK the ‘moral revolutionary’

Posted on January 16, 2012 by oddmanout215

From a 1982 book review in which Garry Wills noted that Martin Luther King, Jr. knew he “would have to accept his own death” if he were to play a leading role in the civil rights movement: …He did not … Continue reading →

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

Kill them, but don’t piss on them

Posted on January 14, 2012 by oddmanout215

Sebastian Junger in the Washington Post, via Reader Supported News: The video that emerged in recent days appearing to show four U.S. Marines urinating on several dead Taliban fighters has outraged many people in this country. Secretary of State Hillary … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Iraq war, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

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

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

Happy Third Day After the Solstice

Posted on December 25, 2011 by oddmanout215

Bernini’s St. Theresa in Ecstasy is in the Cornaro Chapel (Santa Maria Vittoria). Which means nothing to me, but the act of writing down the address for future reference seems constructive, especially with all the thinking I’m doing about Rome, … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, history, humor, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment