Most American media tells you nothing at all about what's happening to real people on the ground. This lack of information is astounding, given the Bush Administration's constant claims of "success" in Iraq. I'm tired of reading sterilized accounts of life in the Green Zone. I really want to know…
When I saw this article at MSNBC, I thought it was a joke. But no, it was no joke. Check out the photo. Apparently, 30 men and one woman residing in the Philippines actually had themselves nailed to crosses. They went through the Good Friday rites in three villages in…
After considerable thought, I hereby offer my predictions for the 2008 Major League Baseball season. Unlike other prognosticators, I guarantee my predictions. Therefore, feel free to bet large amounts of money that each of the following will occur, for certain, during the 2008 MBL season:
…Unabashed optimism will surround the ritual of spring training.
Thousands of dignitaries and celebrities will show up at Opening Day baseball games to be seen.
Columnists will crank out thousands of articles on baseball, each of them suggesting that following Major League Baseball is important to the overall scheme of life.
Some young relatively unknown baseball players will impress the fans this year.
Some of the high-priced veterans will not do as well as the fans hoped and the fans will grumble, many of them expressing their displeasure at length on sports radio call-in shows, arguing that those players are washed up, on drugs, too old or slackers.
Millions of fans will go to the baseball stadiums, willingly paying thousands of dollars to attend baseball games and to buy outrageously over-priced beer and nachos (at least $170 for a family of four). Thousands of these fans will be named Daniel, Robert, Michael, James, Mary, Susan, Karen, Linda or Donna.
During each MLB game, the fans will be subjected to an unending stream of advertising in the form of videos, posters and PA announcements.
Each team will play about 162 games, totaling about 2,500 games. [Note: Scientists have calculated that each team should play
I refuse to use the term "war" when referring to the U.S. occupation of Iraq for these reasons. Do you remember the many politicians and news media personalities who assured us that we needed to go to "war" with Iraq and that it would be easy, fast and relatively painless for American…
Barack Obama has challenged Americans to rise above trite cartoonish conceptions of race. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU[/youtube] The full text of Obama's thought-provoking and impassioned speech can be read here. Are Americans ready for a candidate who dares to challenge them? Are they ready for a candidate who speaks comfortably of the complexities…