Category Archives: NJ

Snooki does Florence. Ain’t it ironic?

Posted on August 6, 2011 by oddmanout215

Did you know the hit reality show “Jersey Shore” was quickly “co-opted by the would-be hip” but overcame this potential liability “by staying true to its artificiality”? This must be true, I read it in The New York Times, in … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, humor, mainstream media, NJ | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Debt bill destroys America. Who’s next for a swim?

Posted on August 4, 2011 by oddmanout215

I’m on the home stretch with my novel-in-progress Good Sal/Bad Sal, set in casino-era Atlantic City. One of the final chapters starts with Good Sal asking: Have you ever let the cold surf creep between your toes and thought what’s … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, fiction, Great Recession, livable cities, NJ, Philadelphia, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Promoting the 1st annual Chris Christie 100-Yard Walk

Posted on June 6, 2011 by oddmanout215

Michael Smerconish in The Philadelphia’s Inquirer, inadvertently shedding light on why the mainstream media are so reluctant to bash elitist politicians: It was no surprise to me that Chris Christie took heat for using a state helicopter to attend his … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, NJ, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Python-esque rite in South Philly

Posted on April 28, 2011 by oddmanout215

Ah, the rites of spring in the `hood! You know — palm weaving, the Easter Parade on South Street, race riots in Grays Ferry. Here’s one that was new to me — the Good Friday re-enactment of the crucifixion of … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, globalization, Great Recession, immigration, livable cities, mainstream media, NJ, Philadelphia, Politics, Wall Street, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Snooki hits back at critic of her Rutgers gig

Posted on April 3, 2011 by oddmanout215

From nj.com: What’s worth more? A commencement speech by a Nobel-winning novelist? Or a pair of Q&A sessions with one of reality television’s biggest stars? At Rutgers University, Snooki edges out Toni Morrison by a couple thousand dollars. Last month, … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, fiction, NJ | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

N.J. polls show Christie’s act may wear thin

Posted on March 23, 2011 by oddmanout215

Corbett in Pennsylvania, Christie in New Jersey, Walker in Wisconsin, Kasich in Ohio, Snider in Michigan, Daniels in Indiana and LePage in Maine are governors with the same objectives: break labor unions, privatize everything from school systems to liquor stores, … Continue reading →

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Very politely, NYT calls Christie a liar

Posted on March 11, 2011 by oddmanout215

Mr. Christie, a Republican who took office in January 2010, would hardly be the first politician to indulge in hyperbole or gloss over facts. But his misstatements, exaggerations and carefully constructed claims belie the national image he has built as … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, New York Times, NJ, Politics, taxes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Beneath the nitty-gritty, in the land of Newt

Posted on March 5, 2011 by oddmanout215

One of Gingrich’s main themes in his columns and speeches over the past few years has been the need to stop the “secular socialist” takeover of America, which he blames for the demise of the family. Yet he had several … Continue reading →

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Blow them up good, then corporatize

Posted on February 25, 2011 by oddmanout215

Here’s a thought: maybe Madison, Wisconsin, isn’t Cairo after all. Maybe it’s Baghdad – specifically, Baghdad in 2003, when the Bush administration put Iraq under the rule of officials chosen for loyalty and political reliability rather than experience and competence. … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, Iraq war, mainstream media, New York Times, NJ, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wis. workers try to slip pharoah’s yoke

Posted on February 21, 2011 by oddmanout215

I dig a ditch, I shape a stone/Another battlement for his throne/Another day on earth is flown/We’re all working for the pharaoh. — Richard Thompson, “Pharoah” The nicest thing you can say about the mainstream media’s skimpy coverage of the … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Egypt, Great Recession, mainstream media, New York Times, NJ, Obama, Politics, taxes, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment