Monthly Archives: January 2012
Boobs and Idiots: There’s No Difference
“The cynics are right nine times out of ten.” – H. L. Mencken, American journalist, essayist, satirist, and scathing critic of American life and culture, who died on 29 January 1956. If you have seen the movie “Idiocracy,” then you … Continue reading
For Inquiring Minds
A vitally important question: If Sylvester the Cat suddenly fell passionately in love with his mother, would he then be an Oedipuss? Another vitally important question: If you met a dog who told you that he was a major star … Continue reading
Classic Translation
Like Basil Fawlty, “I learnt Classical Spanish,” and not the sort of drivel that they teach in schools or actually speak in, well, Spanish-speaking countries. A note to a female Spanish teacher: Subject: El Hispanio Classico I know that Spanish … Continue reading
“Somewhere among the clouds above . . .”
Died 27 January 1989 (at age 101) – Sir Thomas Octave Murdoch Sopwith, English aircraft designer and manufacturer whose creations included the legendary Sopwith Camel, one of the best allied fighters during WWI. For most Americans, the Sopwith Camel is … Continue reading
Talking Turkey
26 January 1784 – Benjamin Franklin declares his unhappiness over the eagle being selected as America’s symbol, and expresses his preference for the turkey. While Franklin’s stated opinion seems innocuous, I have done some serious scholarly investigation on several conspiracy-related … Continue reading
A Great Day For Book Lovers
Born 25 January 1874 – W. Somerset Maugham, English playwright and novelist. While “Of Human Bondage” is inarguably Maugham’s masterpiece, I recommend that everyone should also read “The Razor’s Edge,” since the novel will speak forcefully to people grown weary … Continue reading
Let’s Begin The New Year With A Smile
“Men first feel necessity, then look for utility, next attend to comfort, still later amuse themselves with pleasure, thence grow dissolute in luxury, and finally go mad and waste their substance.” – Giambattista Vico (died 23 January 1744), Italian philosopher, … Continue reading
It’s Time For America To Stop Being In The Red
Let’s be honest: No one will ever discover a cure for the dread disease Gingeritis, and so, since we normal people are simply going to have to endure having these pariahs in our midst, I have a suggestion that would … Continue reading
Happy New Year!
Today marks the advent of the YEAR OF THE DRAGON, and according to Chinese horoscope lore, the Dragon is a powerful and generally benevolent creature, and so I hope that everyone enjoys much happiness, good health, and prosperity during the … Continue reading
A Great Role Model For Women
Died 22 January 1901 – Victoria, who reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Empire for nearly sixty-four years – the longest reign of any female monarch in history. Let us be honest: Most of the purported … Continue reading