-
FROM THE FRIENDLY WHITE HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE
If you were alive in January of 2001, you may recall that George W. Bush ascended to the Presidency of this country. He got there by virtue of the ugly fact that the Supreme Court was counting the ballots. At the conclusion of the ballot count, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia issued his ruling…
-
OF PISSANTS, POLITICIANS, AND CUPIDITY
The breadth of the title of this essay might lead you to believe that it is a formidable undertaking. But when taken by its individual parts it is not necessarily so formidable operation. Let us take the pissant part to start. The word pissant is far from a vulgarity. It identifies a living creature who…
-
PARADISE AND MARTYRS AND VIRGINS
I realize that talking about religion is often considered a third rail in the public discourse in this country. The following essay is a dispassionate view of the Muslim belief that martyrs, such as those blowing up dozens of their fellow citizens, both Muslims and Christians, will go directly to Paradise. I am not an…
-
THE LANGUAGE OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS AGAIN REVISITED
It goes without saying that your Uncle Ezra has no to investigate the subject of the language that Americans speak. Yet while I lack the academic credentials, as a wordsmith from my essay writing I have an abiding interest in words. In this case, there are four words that have fallen into disuse that I…
-
OH SAY CAN YOU SEE…
According to historical facts, this country declared its independence from the English monarchy some 235 years ago. But judging from the comments about a wedding taking place on Friday of this week, it would be hard to discern that we were at last free of the constraints of the English monarchy. From what I can…
-
GOVERNOR WALKER’S CLINIQUE DE CASTRATION ET ANNIHILATION
I do not claim to be an expert on many affairs that afflict the human condition, but I do claim some expertise in the field of labor relations. I spent nearly 17 years working with grievances and bargaining and all the politics that go with labor relations. My best guess is that I spent six…
-
FURTHER THOUGHTS ON THE MATRICULATION OF SERGEANT CARR
In this mailing, there is a report on the matriculation of Sergeant Carr as he spoke to the 23 members of Class 4B at the Glenwood School in Millburn/Short Hills. When the festivities were done and I had said nearly all that I could say, I retired to write the teacher, the volunteer parent, and…
-
THE MATRICULATION OF SERGEANT CARR, ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
Those of you who read these essays carefully may recall an incident dating to January of 1936. At that time, I entered high school. The Clayton Missouri public school system offered a course in high school in preparation for those who were going on to college. When I was asked if college were in my…
-
EXPIRATION BY DRIBS, DRABS AND OCCASIONAL DOLLOPS
According to a book that has been in my possession for many years, there are 47 synonyms for the death of a person. My purpose here is to add, as unpleasant as it may seem, a 48th definition for the end of life. It will go by the grand and eloquent title of “Expiration by…