A Poet Laureate For Missouri

The state of Missouri has never had an official poet laureate.  Like many people, I didn't know that, although unlike many of those many people, I should have.  One of the hats I wear (besides the one in the cool profile photo above) is the president of the Missouri Center…

Continue ReadingA Poet Laureate For Missouri

New “Beware of Dogma” billboards springing up

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is decorating Madison, Wisconsin with "Beware of Dogma" billboards this month. What is the FFRF? The following mission statement is from the FFRF website: The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion.…

Continue ReadingNew “Beware of Dogma” billboards springing up

Unvarnished horror stories for children

Here's a post summarizing the original versions of seven popular fairy tales. Some gory stuff, indeed: What is creepier than kids, parents, evilness, sorceresses, wolves, and cannibalism? Before the stories were ripped from their horror roots, they were just right for scary, gory films. The early days of fairy tales…

Continue ReadingUnvarnished horror stories for children

What’s Worse?

Here's a heartwarming story  about some of the insanity that followed in the wake of 9/11.  We see this kind of thing all the time, in the news, on tv shows, in movies.  A mistake compounded into tragedy by the utter fear and panic induced under extreme conditions.  One could…

Continue ReadingWhat’s Worse?