We live in the Age of Apology, where knee jerk reactions are the norm, and thin-skinned political correctness reigns. Politicians, pop stars, athletes, actors, comedians, talk show hosts, and church leaders are pressured into insincere public apologies if they “offend” some special interest group or another. But the Age of Apology has little to do… Continue reading The Mystery of Superstar Forgiveness in the Age of Apology
You’ve heard the old adage – “It pays to buy the best.” Well, it’s a lie. Maybe it used to be true but it’s not anymore. Here’s another ancient un-truth: “You get what you pay for.” That’s true sometimes, but not always. I’m a cut-rate guy. I know this about myself and I accept it.… Continue reading Modern Junk: Buy the Best, Keep Getting Less
The written word is dying. Like dodo birds and dinosaurs, handwriting is facing extinction. Approximately 46 states have adopted the new Common Core Standards, a set of educational guidelines that do not require cursive writing as part of the school curriculum. Many school districts around the country are already starting to phase out handwriting courses.… Continue reading Curtain closing on cursive writing
“I need you to bring this dirty laundry down to the basement,” my wife said. “Move the stuff that’s in the washer to the dryer, and bring up the clean clothes that are down on the folding table.” “Yeah, yeah,” I replied, grabbing the laundry basket and heading down. “And don’t forget to separate the… Continue reading Do you hear what I hear? Probably not
Is it worth going to college? The answer used to be an unequivocal “yes” — college grads got better jobs and better pay than non-graduates. But the job market is different today. The cost of getting an education has risen dramatically, while the job market has shrunk. Many young graduates find themselves with thousands —… Continue reading College Daze: Is Higher Education Worth The Cost?
I made a social blunder recently when I disparaged Harry Potter during a family vacation. I started reading the Harry Potter series this summer, along with my wife and our 11-year-old daughter. There are lots of Harry Potter fans in our extended family. I have several nieces and nephews that grew up with author J.K.… Continue reading Editorial: Harry Potter and the Pretentious Book Reviewer
Remember “The Secret Garden?” No, not that stodgy old children’s tale. The adult coloring book! I’m not talking about funnyman Colin Quinn’s latest literary effort, “The Coloring Book: A Comedian Solves Race Relations in America,” either. That’s a funny book, but not the kind of coloring book I’m talking about. I’m talking about a grab-your-crayons-and-find-a-sunny-place-to-work… Continue reading Zen and the Art of the Adult Coloring Book
I wanted to be a marine biologist as a kid. My fascination with sea life began at age 7, when my parents took me to see “Jaws” (1975). The film left a deep mark/scar on me, and I became fascinated with creatures of the deep. I checked armloads of shark books out of the local… Continue reading The Long-Awaited Undoing Of SeaWorld
Colleges and universities were once hotbeds of creative ideas and free expression. Students used to question abuse, question authority. Today, students request “safe zones” so they can protest “offensive” Halloween costumes, and insensitive emails. St. Louis University is one of several institutions of higher learning where designated safe spaces are a perceived necessity among minority… Continue reading College safe zones degrade higher learning
The transgender issue is confusing, both politically and socially, but maybe we can find comfort and guidance in Greek mythology. Tiresias was a blind prophet from Thebes. He had a lifespan of seven generations, so he appears in a lot of ancient Greek stories and plays, usually showing up at an inopportune moment to give… Continue reading Mythology offers insight into modern transgender issue
