This is gonna be short, as the Four Tops used to sing. Look. If the average American really wants to find out what the US was like before the New Deal, let them. If “Obamacare” is a problem, Hell, let the Republicans defund it. Let people see $4,000 a month premia. And then tell themContinue reading “Give ‘Em What They Want”
Category Archives: Americans and other idiots
Texit
This is going to be one of the tougher things I will try to write. As they say, stuff is complicated. I’ve been in and around Texas ever since Berkeley, which is now going on nearly four decades. It sure ain’t 1980 any longer, when I left Philly as the City of Champions, not theContinue reading “Texit”
Idiocracy
Yesterday, August 27, 2025, really must be counted as one of the worst days of my life. Because the Mets swept the Phillies? Honestly, I really couldn’t care less. Baseball, like. getting to the ocean, used to be one of the things that made Summer what it was. That hasn’t been true for some timeContinue reading “Idiocracy”
Syriana + Quark= Our Neighborhood (*)
Last night, I watched Syriana for the nth time. Maybe after n+1 times I will finally be sure I have figured out what the Hell was going on. And having Bashir from Deep Space Nine as an Emir really doesn’t help. I keep looking for Quark. Oh, well. Looking for Quark. The Ferengi as metaphorContinue reading “Syriana + Quark= Our Neighborhood (*)”
The Cathedral Isn’t Telling
I live in San Antonio, Texas. It’s ok. Everyone has got to live somewhere. So why not here? But occasionally I wonder just what the Hell I am doing here. Today was one of those days. I always admired the opening line of Mario Vargas Llosa’s brilliant novel, Conversation in the Cathedral (1969). “At whatContinue reading “The Cathedral Isn’t Telling”
From 84 Charing Cross to Mickey D’s: It’s Worse than Spengler Thought
This is London. I am seated in the cafetería at Marks and Spencer. My life is not at risk. I expect no sympathy. I expect even fewer readers. Vox clamans in deserto or no, it is Christmas season in a world capital. And not just any world capital. As Ed Murrow would say, “This isContinue reading “From 84 Charing Cross to Mickey D’s: It’s Worse than Spengler Thought”
Convergence, Big Time (with apologies to Lant Pritchett)
I have been trying to write this damn thing for a long time. I’ve started. Discarded. Started. Discarded. Started again. Ah, I say. What’s the use? This is above my pay grade. There is no sense publicly demonstrating you don’t know what you’re talking about. But then, like the Hound of Heaven, maybe the HoundContinue reading “Convergence, Big Time (with apologies to Lant Pritchett)”
BURY MY HEART AT SAN JACINTO
It never goes away, and it probably never will. The independence of Texas–secession if you will–was the means whereby Texas migrated from one Empire to whatwould arguably become another. And if matters had gone differently in the 1860s, Texasmight have been part of and not simply, a whole ‘nother country. Talk of Texit comesnaturally toContinue reading “BURY MY HEART AT SAN JACINTO”
It’s college football, not just A&M
Yup. A 76.8 million dollar buyout is a lot of money for a college football coach. Especially one who slinks off with a winning, albeit mediocre record. We’re talking Jimbo Fisher at A&M, that seat of the intellect in College Station, TX. Let you in on a secret. I’ve lived in Texas for thirty years.Continue reading “It’s college football, not just A&M”
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”
This Game Is Over, Salvucci Sez 