Creative Commentary
Why Israel Should Help Build an Independent Palestine
Last week in Texas, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made simple statements that are simply incomprehensible: Israel will be withdrawing from Gaza this summer; but his nation must build new housing in the West Bank to establish an “unbroken presence” from Jerusalem to a community called Maale Adumim. Unfortunately, by so doing, Israel would be continuing…
Read MoreAnimals in Captivity – Two Chimpanzees Attack
I’ve been to zoos many times and always enjoyed them but my memories are most influenced not by casual visions of great creatures from the wild but by two more somber observations. The first was about thirty years ago at the Sacramento Zoo where I watched a big cat – not like a lion or…
Read MorePoliticians Condemn Your Debt, Deepen Theirs
I wasn’t looking for anything controversial, just a few quick early-morning facts before I began work. I suppose I should have been reading an almanac instead of a newspaper, for on one page an article explained why many people are sinking in credit card debt and on the other side a headline announced the United…
Read MoreHunter Thompson and Mental Health
Since Hunter Thompson put a gun in his mouth and shot himself last week, I’ve been digging deep into the Internet and reading lots of articles about him. The first wave of stories commended his hard-punching, eye-gouging, “gonzo” style of insightful political writing in such books as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Kingdom…
Read MoreJose Canseco Shall Revolutionize Life
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my coronation,” said Jose Canseco. “I thought this was a press conference,” said a reporter. “It is rather more than that, you insufferable simpleton. How much do you make a year?” “About fifty grand.” “I made that every three days.” “Not anymore. That’s why you’re doing this.” “Money will henceforth…
Read MoreBabe Ruth on Steroids
“Boys, it’s great to be back. Too bad it’s off season. I haven’t been anywhere since 1948, and I’m ready to play.” “Babe, have you had time to read Jose Canseco’s book ‘Juiced’ that says eighty percent of major league baseball players used steroids?” a reporter asked. “Just finished it.” “Do you consider the new…
Read MoreLetter to Holocaust Deniers
A few days ago I received several e-mails from a group that says it didn’t happen. To the RePorter NoteBook: Your insinuations and assertions that the Holocaust never happened are preposterous and insulting, and your general explanation of how the ruse was pulled off is pitiful: Americans in the conquered West and Russians in the occupied East lied about the…
Read MoreCourageous Iraqis Prepare to Vote
It is most ironic that a historic political event in Iraq – the first free election – is, or should be, a fundamentally apolitical occurrence in the United States and other democratic countries. Today – January 30, 2005 – everyone who believes in liberty is in the same cheering section. For at least a day…
Read MoreLetter to Division I Personages
This story is in the collection “Basketball and Football”
Read MoreFear Not, California – Bakersfield Shall Save You
Have you been to Bakersfield? Ask that of most people in California and they’ll say, “No, but I’ve been through it.” They just kept on rolling over parched Central Valley earth en route to Los Angeles or the Bay Area. Why didn’t they stop? Perhaps they were startled or saddened by the eternal glare from…
Read MoreLetter to President Bush: You Rose from the Canvas
Dear President Bush, It’s astonishing what preceded your comeback. First, you got your ears boxed the week before by a debating opponent who reduced you to a series of inane and lethargic utterances. Then you received another public report emphasizing your error in asserting that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. At the same time…
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