Political discourse

The Real Problem With Bloomberg’s Soda Ban

March 12, 2013 Political discourse

A state judge has struck down New York City’s large-soda ban, which was set to take effect today. Judge Milton Tingling of the New York Supreme Court called Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s public health measure ”arbitrary and capricious.” I agree, though not necessarily for the same reasons. Here’s what I jotted down last year, when Bloomberg first [...]

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When Conspiracy Theorists Become Bullies

January 16, 2013 Political discourse

Conspiracy theorists usually don’t bother me. Hell, I even subscribe to the notion that Lee Harvey Oswald had help assassinating JFK. But a new breed of conspiracy theorist has emerged in recent years. They make threats and act like the schoolyard bully, and they make my skin crawl. Mood music:  The RageJudas PriestBritish Steel The [...]

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Comparing Politicians to Hitler Is Stupid

January 10, 2013 Political discourse

The debate over firearms is bringing out extreme levels of stupidity in people. Right-wingers who think gun control means taking away everyone’s right to bear arms are comparing President Obama to Adolf Hitler. Left-wingers did the same to President Bush over his war policies. It’s the lowest common denominator; the dumbest of the dumb. Mood [...]

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Defending Joe Biden

January 4, 2013 Political discourse

I’ll surely get a boatload of criticism for what I’m about to do: defend Vice President Joseph Biden. Mood music:  Somebody Put Something In My DrinkRamonesWeird Tales Of The Ramones As you know, the man who’s a heartbeat away from the presidency tends to run his mouth a lot and get into trouble. During the [...]

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Partisan Politics Is a Mental Health Threat

January 3, 2013 Political discourse

Like everyone else, I’ve watched the debate over the so-called fiscal cliff with a combination of disgust and anxiety. I can’t remember a time when the nation’s economic health was so threatened by political partisanship. Mood music:  St. AngerMetallicaSt. Anger It threatens our jobs and our ability to feed our families. And it’s a threat [...]

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Politics, Facebook Friends and the Damage Done

November 20, 2012 Political discourse

After all my blogging this past election season about how friends and family shouldn’t become enemies over politics and how we all need to knock off the conspiracy theories and name-calling, I’m reviewing my Facebook friends list in search of damage. Here’s my final analysis. Mood music:  Come On And DanceMötley CrüeToo Fast For Love [...]

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The Election’s Over. Now What?

November 15, 2012 Political discourse

I’ve been very much out of it since Tuesday morning, when I woke up to a fever, chills, a blistering headache and exhaustion. It was so bad that I wasn’t able to sit up long enough to email my boss until nearly 1 p.m. Yesterday was better, though I couldn’t do much more than lie [...]

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Five Takeaways From Election 2012

November 7, 2012 Political discourse

It’s no surprise to see my friends’ reactions on Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere. Obama supporters are elated; Romney supporters are bitter. One person lamented that “things will never be OK again!” Mood music:  PermissionSixx:A.M.The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack I feel for those who wanted a different outcome. This election season was particularly heated among friends and [...]

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Election 2012: A Disney Production

November 1, 2012 Political discourse

There’s a lot of anxiety in the air. Many people are biting their nails over next week’s presidential election. Just as many are freaked out because George Lucas sold his Star Wars franchise to Disney. Disney taking over Star Wars? Among true sci-fi fans, it’s cause for major depression. As for the election, half the [...]

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Another ‘Crazy Mike’ Facebook Page? Jerks.

October 30, 2012 Political discourse

Last year, I found a disgusting Facebook page making fun of someone with a serious mental illness. The site was taken down, but now there’s a new page dedicated to the man locals call Crazy Mike. I want the creator and those who like the page to know something. By embracing such a page, you [...]

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