Estes Park, Colorado—the town, not the expanse of greenery—is not exactly one of my favorite spots on earth. While it isn't the tourist hellhole of, say, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, it's fairly well jammed with t-shirt shops and jewelry stores and the usual fleece-the-visitors emporiums.
We did have a very pleasant stay at the Silver Moon Inn, which we used as a base for hiking and exploring the area. It's right in the middle of town, yet a little set back. So pull up a chair, knock the dust off your Keens, and relax with a bit of conversation after a long day on the trail.
Thank You, NS. It looks nice and rustic and off the beaten path.
ReplyDeleteYou have certainly visited some interesting and unusual places.
DeleteEven though Jskash made me feel somewhat guilty about it, I have just finished Harper Lee's "Go Set A Watchman." It will come as no surprise to most that it doesn't hold a candle to TKAM. The story is not as compelling, and the characters are not fleshed-out as well. In that way it reminds me of John Grisham's work, which to me went from telling a story that conveyed a message to preaching a message in the guise of a story. Even if I agree with the message, that's not why I read a novel.
ReplyDeleteI would say that Atticus turns out to be not so much a racist, per se, as an paternal elitist. He objected to immediate civil rights advances because he felt southern blacks were "backward" and not yet ready to bear the responsibilities of citizenship as well as its benefits. Somehow he was able to use this as a rationalization for belonging to the local "Citizens' Council."
I believe Harper Lee intended this as both a coming of age tale and as an explanation of southern attitudes of the time. Unlike Jakash, I have actually avoided reading much about the book because I wanted to read it without preconceptions. Maybe once I get some additional perspectives, my view will recalibrate to a degree.
I didn't hate the book, and it's a pretty quick read, but the editors of 55 years ago knew what they were doing.
I don't know if this absolves me of any complicity involving exploitation of the author, but it was a library book.
DeleteYou must have jumped right in there to get it from a library that fast, Coey. Good for you. Free is an excellent price for almost any book, except our host's works, of course! But, far be it from me to judge anybody for reading a book, especially one as noteworthy as that one. Our anonymous friend asked about it and, since I'd read about it, I thought I'd throw out my thoughts. I was suspicious about it from the get-go, and concluded very quickly that I wasn't going to read it, thus felt free to read reviews and columns about it. But I was very interested to read your informed opinion now that you've read it; thanks for sharing it. My rant was about as valuable as one from somebody who condemns a movie without having seen it.
DeleteThat being said, I did just see this in the NYTimes the other day. Of course, if it didn't correspond pretty well with my opinion, I probably wouldn't post it. ; )
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/opinion/joe-nocera-the-watchman-fraud.html?_r=0
My joke about our host's works is that, ideally, one should always pay for them, if possible, not that they're not even worth reading for free. Just to be clear! : )
DeleteTruly, how could the timing of events not make you suspicious?
DeleteOne other point I will add is that it's very impressive to me how Ms. Lee stepped up her game from Watchman to Mockingbird.
Well, there's a simple explanation for that, Coey. ; ) "The speculation has been that Lee's long time friend Truman Capote either wrote or heavily edited the book, which would go on to be a bestseller and win the Pulitzer Prize." There have long been references to this, but I'll post this NPR piece that attempted to put the rumors to rest.
Deletehttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5244492
Conspiracists gotta theorize, I guess, in any field. From what I know (just a bit) about Capote, he would not have wanted his light under that bushel. And you'd have to think that Dill would have been a stronger character if he was the author. Unless that's just what he wanted us to think...
DeleteThis is actually making me want to reread Mockingbird. I know there's stuff I've forgotten about it.
Thanks for the review-I guess I'll skip the book. Yes, there's a reason they shelved that story at first.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be just a money making ploy.
ReplyDelete(The posting clock time seems to be off kilter.)
(maybe not)
ReplyDeleteJak, thanks for your thoughts on the book.
ReplyDeleteA.
As to an article today on feeding the poor- Often the biblical quote is used- but were the poor in those days, impoverished because they were drunk or on drugs by choice???? In an age of social services and gov't aide, if the same guys are at the soup kitchen day in and out, are they overly dependent and what are they doing to improve things? Do they even want to work? Are they caring for their kids? I know some will get some clothes from the Salvation army and use that number for an interview contact, same with goodwill but others may not.
ReplyDeleteMore importantly why are some of the people getting govt aide wearing high end shoes that an average middle class person can barely afford? Where does one find money for the fancy nails and hairdos if they need LINK cards???? How is the latest model cell phone afforded???
are some being enabled?
DeleteAnd nor surprise that Rauner isn't transparent in his hiring methods, as he promisted. See that Madelyn Doubek sp? column today.
ReplyDeleteMr. S., I was surprised to see that the other writer did the obit. on the owner of ABT, since you had an entry about him the other day.
no not nor
ReplyDeleteHow about some military service for able male illegals of the right age, for amnesty and no deportation? We should do that with gangbangers in prison now (not saying just Hispanics) in exchange for getting out of jail. Some marine drill sargents could whip them in shape and teach discipline?
ReplyDeleteJ
It's a disgrace what moneyed special interests are doing to the election process, with any group under any name being able to siphon funds here and there.
ReplyDeleteIf one is a multimillionaire like in the 10's and hundreds of millions or billionaire, they aren't paying enough taxes and have too much control on the electoral process as others have said.
(as per news radio)
And beware the Koch bros.
What happened to health costs? Remember when no limiting hmo's were needed cause regular insurance was affordable? Obviously health care went high tech and we have better meds now as well but is the profit all due going to research or just to enrich. How come big pharma can sell pills cheaper to Canada while they screw us over???? And is that hospital equipment over priced? Why is Tylenol worth 12 for one pill in a hosp? Obama care tried but the limits put on there by repubs made loopholes for insur. co. to raise rates yet.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are draw backs to nationalized medicine but there must be a happy medium? Not all Social nations have gone broke. Look at Germany? I know, we are a lot bigger, but soon it seems to be going back to the old monopoly and robber baron days here, with less workers rights. Does that mean a high school dropout should make 15 bucks an hour at Mcd's (when college grads make less in many cases in office jobs) ? No that isn't answer either.
Good article by J. Jackson today in the paper on "driving while black."
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that arrogant prick, Brady look like more of an ass, with the suspension upheld and his cell phone dumping trick didn't fool anyone.
ReplyDeleteHe'll be booed anywhere outside the Patriots stadium now.
(not fooling anyone, not didn't fool)
ReplyDeleteI see Kirk doesn't even seem to have the support of some Repub. donors.
ReplyDeleteNo surprise in reading that Trump was supposedly a marital rapist. And isn't he on his 4th or 5th wife now? He might want a change soon and probably cheating on her anyhow.
ReplyDeleteTrump to Breastfeeding Mom: 'You're Disgusting'
ReplyDeleteAccording to a recent report, when a lawyer needed a break to pump breast milk, Donald Trump called her “disgusting.” Women's policy experts say it's just "another example of how out of touch he is."
I don't think anyone has to worry about Trump getting elected.
Rubio hints that some worry more about a dead lion or other animals, then aborted fetuses.
ReplyDeleteNot anti Planned Parenthood but not sure if they should be selling organs from the aborted.
ReplyDeleteWell at least cop killer and gangbanger thug Brewer was honest. He says he's proud to kill cops. See Fri. ST.
ReplyDeleteof course his lawyer will spin it as mentally ill but that's bull
any thoughts?
I'm seeing some political slogans saying black lives matter. The word also isn't in there like someone stated that day. "Also" should be in that statement.
ReplyDelete3 wild guesses on what communities have the highest rates of abused dogs in pitbull ring fights
ReplyDeleteI was never a big Carter fan, but maybe he's right-(from a recent interview)
ReplyDeleteJimmy Carter: American Democracy Has Been Subverted into an 'Oligarchy' with 'Unlimited Political Bribery'
A fave film-Missiissippi Burning- the only way to deal with out of control, cruel,white southerners back in the day.
ReplyDeleteSuperb article by J. Fountain in the Sun. ST.
Deletehttp://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/7/71/841711/john-fountain-random-thoughts-cecil-lion-samuel-dubose
Perhaps you need to close this down, Mr. S. Thanks for trying but I'm not in Jakash's clique so no one will play with me anymore. He has to "teach me lessons." Not sure why the approval first, control is on.
ReplyDeleteSay what? Damn, now you've gone and gotten Nikki to disavow our painstakingly assembled and ultra-exclusive clique.
DeleteSorry, ma'am, but when I respond to your "any thoughts?" posts with my thoughts, you seem to just think I'm trying to "teach you lessons". So, for instance, seeing your three July 31 "how 'bout those African-American folks?" hay-makers, I've finally decided not responding would be preferable to all, yourself included.
We seem to have communicated agreeably enough about Italian food, restaurants, PBS, Jimmy Carter and other matters, but if you think NS should "close this down", whatever. The extra-curricular threads were your suggestion in the first place, after all. I just have to note, though, that I've made numerous (way too numerous, certainly) carefully considered comments since this blog started that have drawn no response whatsoever, either. That's just the way it goes, but it has a lot more to do with people being busy and otherwise occupied than with there being any "cliques". Indeed, there are hundreds of people reading NS's posts daily and look how few responses even HE receives, though I imagine he gets many more on Twitter and Facebook and by email than show up here...
You are the one who wrote in one of your posts about the "eyetalians " that you were teaching me a lesson and that's why so rude, but thanks for your thoughts.
DeletePerhaps you can introduce a topic for discussion, Mr. Jakash.
It seems the previous rooms to this had more bloggers.
Let us know how your garden is doing, if you have one.
DeleteNikki, our cucumbers are a bust this year. The heavy rains and the cool of June, ruined them.
Just wanted to add a different aspect to your harem, J, lol.
DeleteSeems like Neil's posts are drawing a nice selection of comments lately, so folks haven't been hanging out by the ice machine here at the Silver Moon much. Plus, with the humidity down and these swell summer days, who needs Estes Park, anyway? ; )
DeleteOther than missing a few comments from SandyK and Bernie, I think the usual suspects that you see here are about it for the motel rooms at this point.
No garden for us; we have to make do with farmers' markets, alas...
I still visit the Silver Moon daily, but don't comment as much. I was watching the GOP debate earlier this evening..I don't think anyone broke through as a serious contender; in fact I think they just elevated the Democratic platform. (It was kind of entertaining, though.)
Deleteyou are right about that, Sandy
DeleteAh there's no clique, personsally I've just been too busy doing outside stuff to play in Colorado.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm here, Carter sure has been able to do a whole lot more after being pres. He didn't have much of a chance in office, but he is doing and saying great things now.
agreed-not so great a President, as an elder statesman later
DeleteSorry for double post, I thought first disappeared and now I don't know how to delete the second one.
ReplyDeleteI'll do it.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteThe other day, conserve. Mona Charen had an article stating how the liberal Jews
Deletedon't support Israel as much and are being dwarfed in number by Orthodox Jews.
Yet, yesterday we could read of extremist Israeli's who threw Molotov cocktails into a Palestinian house. The gov't there claimed to condemn them but little ever happens to them in their wrongdoing. (not that the Pal's are always angels) but that seems like a no win situation either way, past , present and future.
Is Ben self serving or acting out of self preservation? The latter being more understandable.
Thoughts?
Ah, Colorado-not so humid there.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying the local horticulture, Nikki?
ReplyDeleteVery local. My gardens have exploded recently. I about up to my eyes in pickles and diva cukes. Now I'm about to make freezer pickles since there's no way I'm canning in this heat.
DeleteWe just give it to the neighbors when we have garden surplus.
ReplyDeleteI've already shared a bunch, and my closest neighbors are about a half mile away, so pickles!
DeleteYou had better luck with the cukes then we did this year.
DeleteIt's a shame that Mondelez Industries is going to cut back on the Nabisco plant jobs in Chicago so they can outsource them to cheap labor in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteBut this way they can save money for their CEO, Irene Rosenfeld, who supposedly made 21Mill. in 2014.
DeleteThey don't want to pay a living wage that the Bakers & Confectioners Union workers might require. (part of the AFL/CIO)
Meanwhile, mailed reports from the Citizen's Utility Board tell of ComEd paying big attny and lobbyist fees to get a rate hike approval from the ICC.
Probably the only thing Trump is right about- stating that Hillary came to his wedding cause she knew there was big money there, I believe it. She and her husband are opportunists even with Saudi Arabian funds.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered why extreme feminists didn't get more angry with Bill Clinton.
ReplyDeleteThough I've got no business speaking for "extreme feminists", I'd imagine that it was because they were capable of realizing that, despite the clear shortcomings with regard to his personal behavior, his public policies were much more beneficial to women than those of the Republican witch-hunters who were obsessed with him.
DeleteHow about those who don't like Republicans but not Billy either?
DeleteI'm no Kelly fan but I like anyone who tells Trump a thing or two. She brought out his true colors.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I never thought I'd be saying, "Go Meghan Kelly!" That debate was pure fluff, but rather entertaining.
DeleteI had zero interest in watching that debate. To me it would be like watching the first round of the NBA playoffs, featuring two teams you hated, and if you didn't give a shit about the NBA in the first place. (Even though it's kind of an oxymoron to hate two teams if you don't even follow the NBA...) What do I care what some of these delusional guys (or gal) have to say, when they will have about as much effect on the outcome as Willie Wilson?
DeleteAnd I'm no Megan Kelly fan, either, but if I'm gonna sit through ten minutes-worth of Republican talking points, I'd much rather they be delivered by her than O'Reilly or Hannity, that's for sure, if you catch my drift! ; )
You certainly have a roving eye, Jakash.
DeleteWell, it doesn't seem to me that it needs to rove very much to notice what's on an HD TV screen, but if you say so... : )
Deleteah, you are incorrigible
DeleteThe Republican debate is over. Not one word about income and wealth inequality, climate change, Citizens United or student debt. That's why the Republicans are so out of touch with the American people. What I heard was more tax breaks for the rich, more people losing health insurance and more talk about war. (Bernie Sanders-FB)
ReplyDeleteYeah, and when they couldn't think of ways to show themselves in a positive (or truthful) light, they fell back on criticizing HRC.
DeleteRecently some new info came out on JFK's death claiming it was a mob thing. But wouldn't they just have gone after RFK then? How did they know that Johnson wouldn't have kept him on, even if the inner circle knew there was no love lost. Some of the info out there is poor but I always went with the cia/military due to Bay of Pigs or not wanting to expand more in Nam.
ReplyDeleteWhy would the govt have covered up for the mob, anyhow?
And why was Oswald in a daze? I know Jack Ruby was mob related but he wasn't silenced right away.
Would love to hear some other theories from readers here.
I'm not familiar with the new info, but I read a book called "Case Closed" years ago that convinced me that Oswald acted alone, motivated by his own delusions. My theory is that L. H. Oswald was a nut who decided to kill Kennedy when he realized that the motorcade would be going right by his place of employment, and who had already tried to assassinate another guy, General Edwin Walker, who the mob wouldn't have given two shits about. This later book by Vincent Bugliosi is the definitive work on the subject, and goes into much detail eviscerating many of the conspiracy theories:
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reclaiming_History
thanks for the info
Deleteso much for the Zapruder film and the gunman on the grassy knoll shadow
so I guess Ruby just thought he was doing all a favor
I had a professor in college that showed a copy of that film. By the time we got out of class many of us felt so paranoid, we thought we'd be shot just for knowing about some theories. I felt like looking over my shoulder after leaving class, lol.
Delete(this was the late 70's)
DeleteSome theories make the Communist/ Cuba connection with Oswald's activities and wife. (missile crisis/ payback)
DeleteYes, there have been MANY theories. I don't quite understand why, when a nut shoots a bunch of strangers in a movie theater, nobody needs to be convinced about anything beyond the fact that he's just a nut, but when a nut, who already tried to assassinate somebody else, shoots the President as he is driven right by his workplace, folks feel that the mob or the CIA or the Communists must have been conspiring with him. Well, I DO understand the urge to find some ulterior MEANING in such a tragic, senseless, yet pivotal event, but oftentimes a nut is just a nut, as we see in this country regularly these days. And, sadly, shit happens.
DeleteI don't know how you feel about watching TV on your computer, tablet, or whatever, but if you're not up for Bugliosi's 1,632 page book (I'm certainly not!), NOVA on PBS had an interesting program, "Cold Case JFK" a while back about some of the forensic evidence in the case. If you don't want to watch, there's a transcript at this link, too, though you'll be missing out on the graphics in the show, which are excellent.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/cold-case-jfk.html
thanks, I love PBS
DeleteI suppose the theories came up because so many witnesses weren't questioned by the Warren Commission.
(since RFK was attn. gen. and investigating the mob- I doubt JFK would be shot for sleeping with mob galpals)
ReplyDeleteWhere is Coey these days?
ReplyDeleteHere I am! I have been busy lately, with time for just the occasional check in. As far as the current topic, I don't have anything to add except that the Stephen King book 11/22/63 was a fictional but fascinating treatment of the subject. I actually learned quite a bit about Oswald.
ReplyDeletedidn't know King got into that subject
ReplyDeleteAs per M. Jordan vs. Safeway Co. trial-
ReplyDeletethere is something wrong with a society where someone who has some great athletic ability is making millions just for his name or pic being used
and I can't believe with all his millions he's worried if the safeway gro. company used his pic once or his name and wants money from them and that store chain is no longer open anyhow
while some handicapped person is getting services cut
or some lab is looking for funds to eradicate diseases
I enthusiastically agree with you on this one, Anon. Sadly, my longstanding, individual boycott of MJ-endorsed products has not forced him to reconsider his money-grubbing ways, as I had assumed it would. ; ) Sorry, but a rich celebrity who cannot bear for a company to put out a one-time ad CONGRATULATING him because of the damage it might very theoretically do to his precious "brand" is clearly a jerk of the first order, IMHO. Harrumph!
DeleteJust to play devil's advocate, I'll point out that the ad was not simply congratulating him but also included a coupon for steak, so Dominick's was also trying to sell steaks. And I imagine it's a full-time job trying to control the use of his image, so if he lets this one go, that could theoretically be used as a precedent in future cases. I imagine in this case he may well prevail, but I wouldn't expect the damages to be all that much, from his perspective, at least.
DeleteGranted, he will never be able to spend all his money, but I'm sure he donates large sums to charity.
So, do you agree with the position you're devilishly advocating there, Coey? You like Mike and wish him well in his efforts here?
DeleteIf there were people foolish enough to believe that Michael Jordan bought his steaks at Dominick's, I feel much worse for them than I do for him. I don't doubt that the law is on his side ("Dominick's has already been found liable by the court..."), as having good lawyers to "control the use of his image" is one of the things he uses his millions of dollars for. Though I'd be a tad concerned, if I were him, that pressing this lame case and seeking such an outrageous payday is causing his image more damage than a one-time, completely innocuous association with Dominick's ever did, or could.
His lawyers "argue that Dominick's owner, Safeway, would have had to pay $10 million to use Jordan's identity." Hey, if you'd like to congratulate me on going into the Hall of Fame, thanks! Oh, and that'll be $10 million, BTW. Ain't that America!
This article really makes him and his brand value team seem like a-holes, independent of the fact that the whole idea of celebrities making multi-millions of dollars just for being who they are is an abomination of modern society to begin with.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-michael-jordan-dominicks-case-0814-biz-20150813-story.html
Eh, I don't care one way or the other about Mike. And I actually almost raised the point you do about pursuing this case hurting his image, but that's not what the devil pays me for. ;) But he does want me to mention that, as sickening as it is that people can make such huge bucks from charging others for exploiting their identity, those doing the paying expect the benefit to themselves to be greater than what they're paying, so I can't get too worked up about it on their behalf. If all Dominick's wanted to do was congratulate Mike, they could have done so, and then paid more for a separate ad with the coupon.
DeletePossibly he can mitigate the damage to his brand this case creates by donating the damages to charity.
DeleteI was going to let this one go, but I can't, yes I like Mike. That aside, I see absolutely nothing wrong with the lawsuit. He's controlling his name and image which is still worth a lot and still holds sway with the public. It's just a way to keep future ads to go out without permission, like say putting him on a Massengill ad.
DeleteIn arguments about who was the greatest basketball player ever, I always sentimentally go for our local hero, the engineer of the twin 3-peats. That's a matter of debate, though. In arguments about whether he's a jerk, the evidence seems overwhelming to me and I have no problem differentiating my attitude toward the player from my feelings about some of his off-court activities.
DeleteHe's not to blame for this disgusting, money-grubbing, celebrity-addled culture, but he's certainly done about as much as he can to profit from it. Nothing illegal about that, but it's not a trait that I personally admire. I'm pretty sure he'll (and you'll) get over that! He was paid a fortune for his efforts on the court. He deserves respect for the hard work and talent he brought to bear in dominating in the NBA the way he did. In my estimation, that does not translate AT ALL to whether I might prefer the brand of headphones that he allows his image to be associated with for a huge enough payout. I realize that "those doing the paying expect the benefit to themselves to be greater than what they're paying" and that's a good point, but, to me, the whole edifice of celebrity endorsements is based on the gullibility of the hoi polloi and is more of a bug than a feature when it comes to the way capitalism plays out in the world these days. The fact that somebody who doesn't have a lot of money might spend extra to have a shoe with his image on it, BECAUSE it has his image on it, is not a good thing, IMHO. Whatevs...
Who'd a thunk that it would be such an innocuous issue that would create a fault line amid we members of the "PC clique"? Though I don't much like opposing youse twos on this, I'm at least comfortable that I'm keeping faith with the lefty roots of our cabal, while you have chosen to side with The Man! ; )
It's not like Jordan's going after some Mom & Pop joint, so really siding on either side is w The Man. I'm on the side of entertainers getting their money, not corporations taking advantage of them. In this case I'm leaning even more to the entertainers side because it's JORDAN!! The man was a god on the court.
DeleteYes, in this instance of that mighty, defunct grocery store, perhaps both sides might qualify as The Man. "Asked about a $5,000 demand Jordan's legal team made of one alleged small-time counterfeiter, Portnoy laughed and told jurors, 'We're just trying to scare little Kenneth Stevens.'" In that and similar instances, not so much. Jordan is no longer an entertainer, regardless; he's a businessman and much more The Man than a lot of the little folks his lawyers like to "scare." "JORDAN!!", indeed... Spoken like Seinfeld used to say "Newman!" : )
Deletelove Seinfeld
DeleteKramer was another fave comedy of mine.
Deleteoops I meant Frasier was a fave, not Kramer
Deleteany other Frasier fans?
(Frazier)
Deletegood points on both sides of the coin
ReplyDeleteGene Lyons, a self proclaimed liberal columnist, has a good column in the Sat. ST about Ferguson. If I may paraphrase, he is saying it isn't the romantic notion of liberals with Michael saying hands up don't shoot, nor the nasty cop looking for trouble, nor an automatic young thug, in this situation. He points out extremes to both sides. Yes, the truth is somewhere in the middle. No credible witnesses have reported that he really said "hands up, don't shoot." The cop was rushed.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jak, Harrumph, that's the seasoned term I was going to use too. It adds a bit of punch.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad about that military parachutist dying at the Air and Water show over the weekend. My thoughts are that military equipment and stunts are for urgent need only, not to play circus type tricks to entertain. Same with expensive military planes. And that's not the first time such accidents have happened.
ReplyDeleteThoughts, bloggers?
Good to see that some females have passed the grueling Army Rangers course.
ReplyDeleteGlad they are cracking down on overpaid and crooked University Admins (U of I) and just passing the cost of tuition on.
ReplyDeleteNever knew that Chicagoans didn't have to pay for garbage. Suburbanites do often through the water bill, there's a way to raise some funds. In new subdivisions, we even pay for the newer sewer pipes.
ReplyDelete(garbage pickup)
ReplyDeleteAssociated Press
ReplyDelete
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Caitlyn Jenner could face a vehicular manslaughter charge after sheriff's investigators found she was driving unsafely when she caused a chain-reaction crash that killed a woman last February, officials said Thursday.
Read that his show ratings aren't doing well either.
Oh yes, Josh Duggar, the holy conservative now says it's Satan's fault he cheated on his wife and had a sex site account. Typical.
ReplyDeleteThey were also against the President at election time.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/09/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/399356/
ReplyDeleteI just read this article. Yikes! My oldest is a college freshman this fall, and I'm really hoping it's not this bad. I was in college when PC was big, but it wasn't anything like this. I probably would need to wire my jaw shut if I were on campus today. Anyone have college kids that deal w this?
I was teased here long ago about saying things are getting too pc, but it's the truth of it. Thanks for the article. My daughter was fine in college pol sci or hist. disc. but she was at a private one, graduated in '12. I taught college students in these subjects till quite recently and again in a private college, where one prob doesn't have to be as pc as in a public one.
ReplyDeleteYou must be younger than I thought, Nikki. :)
Hope to see others also bringing up some interesting topics.
DeleteThere's no way I could teach the way those profs are describing. Trigger warnings? Microaggression? It's like they read 1984 and thought that was a pretty good idea. Which of course would have to have a trigger warning now if a prof wanted to discuss the book.
DeleteFunny about the younger than I thought thing. I've gotten that for the majority of my career. Next week I will be older.
Yes, it may be headed for the scary 1984 type ideas and how we are forced to word things, Newspeak or what have you. As for Orwell, I preferred Animal Farm, that puts govts in perspective especially the Commie one and even our system at the end.
DeleteMr. S, stop by and throw us a bone now and then.
ReplyDeleteSorry, didn't mean to neglect you. You just seem so happy and self-contained. I do monitor the conversation, out of the corner of one eye. Nothing seemed to merit comment from me. The "too PC" trope can be code for "people being accepted whom I'd rather freely insult."
DeleteNS, as long as you've glanced into the room here at the Silver Moon, I've waited patiently ; ) to see you write or tweet about two recent local stories, but haven't seen it if you have. We minions discussed Jordan's lawsuit against Dominick's above. Your take? Savvy businessman protecting his supposedly-beloved "image", or nit-picky jerk?
DeleteAlso, what about Kristen McQueary's Katrina column? Do you think that warranted an apology to those who were so clearly offended, or was that analogy (originally, "praying for a real storm") just an example of Swiftian hyperbole that got out of hand -- fair game for a columnist?
Tone-deaf is a kind label for that McQueary column. Did some good emerge from the disaster that struck New Orleans and the Gulf coast? Yes...for some. Was it worth the trauma, the loss of life, and the wrenching away of the only home every known for the most vulnerable (many of whom will never be able to return)? I don't think many of those affected would say so.
DeleteDid the writer mean to be metaphorical? I have to believe she did. Was it an ill-considered metaphor? Uh, yes.
I don't think McQueary deserves a comparison to Swift. Satire involves wit, which I did not detect in her column.
Deleteinteresting point, Coey
DeleteWell, I wasn't comparing her to Swift as a satirist, but as a hyperbolist. : )
DeleteAh, then forgive me if I overreacted to your modest proposal.
DeleteNice. Definitely made me chuckle out loud.
DeleteJak, I think you met your match.
DeleteI suppose we have some Gulliver's Travels fans here.
DeleteJakash, can you fill me in on this Katrina column please?
ReplyDeleteNS, no- saying PC can go overboard doesn't mean one should freely insult, but thanks for your time.
Don't know if you'll be able to read the actual columns in the Trib or not, due to their paywall, but there are links here and this opinion about the original piece was shared by many:
Deletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chicago-tribune-katrina_55cd2d8ee4b07addcb428b4c
Jak, I was able to read/skim your link. Yes, I know some Trib articles want registration. While it can be said that there has been some renewal with rebuilding, some of it does hint at racism. One can expect that from conservative papers but some do shoot themselves in the foot. Still, it does seem to be a cruel thing to hope for. Still, Huffington can be a bit super lib, wink. I haven't read enough of yesteryears Jonathan Swift to make that connection but hopefully our host will for you.
ReplyDeleteHope Scribe stops by some time, as well.
If anyone likes steak and happens to be out in fancy Oak Brook, try Perry's Steak House. Overpriced compared to some but interesting seasonings and presentations. (luckily we were guests of my spouses boss or we wouldn't be there ;) Mon Ami Gabi in Oak Brook is nice too, for a rare treat. Try the lemon chicken with the creamy sauce.
ReplyDeleteAny other restaurant suggestions? We can have a mini Check Please.
(spouse's)
ReplyDeleteJust read that Michael Jordan is donating the $8.5 million he won from his lawsuit to charities. Not such a bad guy now?
ReplyDelete$8.9 million, that is.
Deleteor so he says
Delete"This was never about the money” Jordan said. What bullshit! Seemed to be a whole LOT of talk about money from the reports that I read. In fact, it was about nothing BUT money, since it had already been determined that Dominick's was at fault.
Delete"...walked over and hugged the handful of attorneys making up the basketball star’s legal team" ... "Mr. Jordan intends to donate any recovery in excess of his costs to charity." his attorneys had written. I don't know the details, of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if the cost of that legal team will take a bit of a chunk out of the $8.9 million.
"While in the lobby, Jordan encountered some jurors who were leaving, and two of them walked over and asked if they could take a photo with him." Well, sounds like an unbiased jury, for sure. : (
Despite our discussion here, I still held out a glimmer of hope that he'd get a token victory and not a validation of the ridiculous claim that his "image" is worth $10 million dollars a page. It's certainly not surprising that a jury in Chicago is comprised of Jordan-worshippers, though.
But, Sandy, with all due respect to you and Nikki, his donating the money to charity is just more PR in pursuit of making many MORE millions down the road, so it does nothing to impress me or the others who share my view that this celebrity-endorsement, $10 million-image culture represents a sad state of affairs.
Not that I'm a sore loser, or anything! ; )
Jakash -- I see your point, but once he filed that suit, he's basically put himself in a "no win" situation WRT his public perception. Not being highly educated in legal matters,I hate to judge him too harshly for trying to "protect his brand", whatever that is. Hey, at least he didn't charge those picture-taking jurors a fee ! :)
DeleteI am thrilled that he won the suit. The man worked long and hard to make his name/image/brand what it is today. if he wants to demand millions to be the face of a product he has every right, because there are plenty of corporations willing to pay. Is it messed up how much money is involved? Totally. Does it need to be changed? Yes. Honestly though, if I was in Jordan's position I would do the exact same thing.
DeleteThe Saturday Sun-Times reported that now he's going after Jewel with a law suit in December on that case.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6671182/foo-fighters-westboro-baptist-church-rickrolling
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that Foo Fighters was a great band, but this just launched them into awesome territory.
Cool. Nice link, Nikki. Yeah, I like those guys too.
DeleteI certainly hope that Mr. Astley and the writer of that song have gotten every dime of royalties due them, don't you? ; ) Talk about a guy who has not protected his "image" effectively enough. He could use a few of Michael's lawyers...
The only place I've ever been rickrolled was on Andrew Sullivan's old blog. I had no idea what it meant, nor did I realize until now that it was such a big phenomenon.
The writer does, Astley gets a performers share, which isn't that much. ASCAP rules are tricky to say the least, but if the song was bought, Foo Fighters can broadcast it in that fashion as long as they weren't getting paid for that particular appearance or broadcasting it in a place that makes money. If that's the case, they don't have to pay further fees. So blaring it out of the back of a truck on the street at those Westboro freaks should be a freebie after the initial buy. Astley even tweeted about it, so he seems ok w it.
DeleteNever got into Grohl's style. I liked Nirvana though when Grohl was just a drummer, but more for Cobain's sake.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Westboro gives other Christians a bad name. Christians aren't all "holier than though" born again nuts, just like not all Jews are chauvinistic Hassidic, some are mainstream. The very people who tell us not to generalize about Muslims, seem to do just that on Christianity.
ReplyDeleteNow, THIS is outrageous. As if it's not bad enough that I'm constantly being tempted by pizza, donuts, steak, etc. in order to comment here, the CAPTCHA just outsmarted itself. Category: donuts. There was only one photo of donuts, which I thought was odd, as I think there's always at least 2. But there WAS a photo of BAGELS. I thought -- "Clever, those freaking robots will NEVER be able to tell the difference between a donut and a bagel, the way Neil's discerning readership can!" So I clicked with just one box checked and the CAPTCHA said "look again, buddy" and MADE me click on the bagels, too. I'm just beside myself with disappointment. Whatever is the cyber-world coming to? ; )
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Captcha isn't perfect either.
ReplyDeleteI'm more concerned about craving donuts than if they mixed up the photos.
Oh my, I just saw that Warner Bros. just bought rights to a script about Dantes Inferno, saying it's an "epic love story" and being about Dante descending into Hell to save his true love. That is just wrong on so many levels, it'll probably be a hit.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thought. Usually, I'm all for anything that popularizes the canonical works. But Dante doesn't go to save her; she sends Virgil to save him. It's so much more than just struggling with demons. But it'll be a passing thing.
DeleteIt's like they didn't even read the Cliff Notes for it. Do you think there will ever be a good adaptation on screen or are we stuck w the Spencer Tracy version?
DeleteI doubt if any new production would do it justice; except, perhaps as a parody of some type, which could be quite entertaining.
DeleteNS,
ReplyDeleteWhatever happens with regard to the stock market, maybe this will help you sleep better tonight. ; ) A reply from your buddy Gene Weingarten during his monthly online chat today, responding to a query about Trump's chances:
"A: Gene Weingarten
Trump will not be the nominee. The odds are zero. The reason is that way more than half the Repubs say they would never vote for him. When the field contracts to two or three, he is toast. What he's got going for him now is that he wins a plurality of an insanely broad field. But his supporters now are the only supporters he will ever have."
I was surprised to hear on a radio talk show today that Joe Biden is rising as the possible Democatic candidate, while Hillary's chances have dropped to only about 40%. I have a hard time believing Biden could beat her, except for the fact she's a woman, and I guess that's reason enough for a lot of voters. Nothing as bad as a "woman who can't be trusted" I keep hearing, as if the male candidates can be trusted. Also, I had a nightmare last night about Trump and Bernie Sanders having a one-on-one debate for the presidential election. I woke up in a cold sweat.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is sexism involved even these days and of course some forgot about the male crooks. I'd sure take Biden over her. I'd like a lady Dem. lady President, just not her.
ReplyDeleteinteresting nightmare-I doubt Trump could rile Bernie up
A shame about the shooting in a Virginia newsroom. Again a case of guns too easily obtained by anyone.
DeleteInteresting-
Delete* LIBERAL GROUPS KEEP UP HEAT ON CLINTON: A coalition of progressive groups, including Democracy For America, CREDO Action, and MoveOn, is sending a letter to Hillary Clinton today demanding that she explain how she would regulate the so-called “revolving door” between Wall Street and government.” The letter notes that Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley have supported banning “golden parachutes” to execs who enter government.
It’s the latest sign that lefty groups will continue to try to push Clinton into the Sanders/Elizabeth Warren camp when it comes to regulating Wall Street,
That Univision reporter acted in a way that made Trump look better than him, unfort..
ReplyDeleteJakash, did you see Eric Zorn's column today on the Jordan verdict? Apparently it isn't just in our happy little family that schisms occurred where ordinarily views are more aligned. Whew.
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying that, Coey, and to Anon for the link. Yes, I'd seen the column, but thought that I'd already said too much about this, so wasn't going to be bringing it up again. (I don't want to be sued for taking Michael's name in vain, after all!) It IS interesting that Zorn finds that the topic seems to elude easy left/right categorization, though. And I don't quite understand why our genial host hasn't chimed in here with a quick thumbs up or down regarding the $8.9 million, but avoiding brawls in motel rooms is certainly a wise practice. ; )
DeleteHere's hoping that "our happy little family" can agree that Deez Nuts fits right into a primary field featuring some of doze nuts that are supposed to be the real candidates...
You are right, Coey. It does seem like a bit of a family here.
DeleteHere-
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-michael-jordan-dominicks-award-verdict-chicago-bulls-perspec-0826-jm-20150825-column.html
thanks for the tip, Coey
I was watching a PBS presention of Frontline on Wed. eve. It showed how the meat/ chicken producing lobby, conservative courts, and state govt's have tied the hands of the FDA and even Dem. leaders- being able to stop tougher guidelines on salmonella in the plants and eluding responsibility as much as they can until hundreds of people get sick or die. And in TX of course it's anything goes.
ReplyDeleteThe South drags us down in so many ways.
Things are allowed here in the name of big business, that don't pass for muster in Democratic Socialist nations. But good luck getting that type of govt here.
It is no surprise that the French train terrorist was named Ayoub el Khallani or something like that and is from a place like Morocco.
ReplyDeleteAs to illegal immigrants, while Trump's idea of tossing them all out is ridiculous, we can't have anything goes either. Liberal nations like Britain and Australia even have tougher laws on that then we do, as the newspaper point stated.
It would also interest me to know Mr.Steinberg's thoughts on the Jordan suit event.
And the Virginia shooter, and the just-sentenced Colorado movie theatre shooter, were home-grown Americans. No place or religion has a monopoly on or is immune from the crazy.
ReplyDeleteSome are crazier and more dangerous than others with bigger numbers of crazies or suicidals.
DeleteWas speaking of world threats and major threats at airports, bldgs., around the world, etc, not local nuts. For these you mentioned it wasn't about Jihad.
ReplyDeleteAll that's different is the rationale and the venue. They're all convinced of the righteousness of their actions.
ReplyDeleteYou can find similarities, as well as differences, in any of these shootings if you look for them. The one thing they all have in common is that they're horrific.
DeleteToo true.
DeleteWell said, Sandy.
DeleteLooks like D. Rose might be in a some trouble, Kaner style.
ReplyDeletehttp://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/derrick-rose-accused-of-rape-in-civil-lawsuit-162745436.html;_ylt=AwrBT8NExd9VfmwArVRXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyY3ZjcGIxBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQTAxNTdfMQRzZWMDc2M-
Conservative writer says Trump will ruin it for GOP chances at the Presidency.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-on-the-right/082615-768323-george-f-will-trump-phenomenon-could-kill-republican-chances-in-2016.htm