Ok. Right off the bat I lose 80 percent of my readers. That’s ok. I expect it. You aren’t missing much. All ten of you. And if you were sort of hoping for personal yarns about experiences, good and bad, I’ve had in Mexico over 40 years, sorry. Not this time. Walking the streets inContinue reading “A Gringo Looks at Mexican History”
Author Archives: RJS El Tejano
Yeah. It still hurts. Losing your illusions always does
Here’s the thing. Jack Kennedy got it the way he wanted it. All at once. That’s the way to go. My grandfather, Joe Villari was really never sick a day in his life, and then dropped dead. It damn near killed the family, but it was a blessing for him. He deserved no less. Well,Continue reading “Yeah. It still hurts. Losing your illusions always does”
Do You Remember Pete Liske? Do You Remember Jack Kennedy? They’re Gone, But I’m Still Here
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the early 1960s. Not in any morbid way, you know. But just as the realization hits that I witnessed a lot of people and events that are now consigned to history. If I make a casual reference to some thing–and believe me, we are not talking obscure skirmishesContinue reading “Do You Remember Pete Liske? Do You Remember Jack Kennedy? They’re Gone, But I’m Still Here”
The Politics of Cruelty: Greg Abbott
This is not intended to amuse. It is no joke. You may not like what I have to say. Too bad. If you don’t, start your own blog. Nothing’s stopping you. I suppose it’s no secret that I and a lot of other people don’t approve of what is going on at the Texas-Mexico border.Continue reading “The Politics of Cruelty: Greg Abbott”
Mañana, Ahorita, and Fuhgeddaboudit
As I gaze out over the wreck of our once-great (small “g,” this is not political) society, it occurs to me that some modification of American English may be necessary to accommodate our changing notions of time horizons and rates of discount. This is Econ-talk for whether we think doing something now (like right now)Continue reading “Mañana, Ahorita, and Fuhgeddaboudit”
Pat, Aretha and Code Red
Frank Sinatra, Yock, and the Corner
At first I didn’t think I’d have to spend much time in explaining Frank Sinatra. I have, however, thought the better of it. I write for a jazz site with some frequency, and a copy editor told me I had to identify “Bird” (i.e., Charlie Parker, the alto saxophonist, sort of synonymous with the inventionContinue reading “Frank Sinatra, Yock, and the Corner”
Holy ! Week !
Holy Week. It does it every time. I realize that if you are not a Roman Catholic of a certain age (partially pre-Vatican II), you are liable to find a lot of what follows of little interest. I certainly don’t want to reduce my legion of loyal followers (maybe two dozen at last count) anyContinue reading “Holy ! Week !”
Over Manoa Road
His name was Ernie Pellegrino. He was always dressed in white. If he had a sense of humor, you could’ve fooled me. He presided over “Ernie’s,” the barber shop at Manoa Road Shopping Center. He was a glowering presence, the yin to the yang and sunny disposition of the guy who owned the hardware storeContinue reading “Over Manoa Road”
But What About Ordinary People? The Super Bowl Ain’t For You, Friend (or For Me. For That Matter)
Since they are whining again, I reprint with the addition that the NFL will send the Birds to Brazil. That’s near Ukraine, right? C’mon, the average Philly dawg has no clue. Jerry Jones probably has no clue. But what the Hell, let the NFL teach Americans geography, like wars used to do I guess it wasContinue reading “But What About Ordinary People? The Super Bowl Ain’t For You, Friend (or For Me. For That Matter)”
This Game Is Over, Salvucci Sez 