Legal humor here “She’s all ruff and no castle.” “From what I hear, when the lights go down the ruff comes off, you know what I’m sayin’?” “I hear she’s Vermeer’s favorite model.” “I don’t know if she’s modestly proud or proudly modest.” “She’s the patron saint of lace-makers.” “Sure, it’s great, but what’s she…
Election 2016: the rest is silence
I will be taking a break for the next several days as we endure the slow agony of waiting to learn if the American people want to be led by a sociopath—a question that’s never had to be answered before. I’ve groaned and moaned to the limit of my ability, and now my nerves are…
Pseudo New Yorker
Legal humor here “Yeah, I seeing where you’re going with this. But I don’t think you’re really getting there.” “I see it, but I don’t feel it.” “How shall I put this: You can carry it, but you can’t carry it off.” “Beige is not your color.” “You look like the Thing from Leisureworld.” “A…
The Republican Party: Civil War or Hostile Takeover?
Over at New York Mag, Jonathan Chait has an unfortunately challenging and well-argued piece, strongly suggesting that my cozy analysis of a Republican Party sliding inexorably into ever-increasing disarray is not, you know, accurate.1 Chait sees Trump, or, rather, Trumpism, as similar to one of those Alien critters that first infects you and then sort…
Three Bullets? Free Bullets!
A number of years ago now I wrote three novellas recreating Rex Stout’s famous fat detective Nero Wolfe. My “plans” for publishing these legitimately fell through, as my “plans” often do, but the novellas are available absolutely free on the web, in a variety of formats. To download for Kindle, click here. To download for…
News on the Right: the Splinters Splintered!
Okay, only by a generous stretch of the imagination (mine) is the Washington Post “on the right”, but in fact the Post’s editorial page has been aggressively “neocon”, bordering on Likudist at times, what with George Will, Charles Krauthammer, Richard Cohen, Jennifer Rubin, Anne Applebaum and Fred Hiatt ramping up the room in favor of…
FBI Director James Comey, making Hillary look classy
Yes, Washington can get even uglier than it already is, thanks to FBI Director James Comey, determined to try Hillary Clinton in the court of public opinion based on evidence that, well, it might not actually be evidence. Of anything! But it might be! And if it is evidence, it might relate to something that…
Pseudo New Yorker
Legal humor here “Okay. That’s way too Zen for my ass.” “Okay, I take it back, Bob. Godiva gorp isn’t for sissies.” “Okay! We’ll name it after you! Jesus!” “Real bodhisattvas welcome criticism.” “Impressive, sure. But it’s not really levitating.” “I said we could get in nine holes if we turned back now. And I’m…
Dying Elephant, Struggling Donkey: Politics for the 21st Century
As of this writing, the odds favoring Hillary Clinton’s election stand at 92%, almost enough to allow me to breathe easily. I wish it were higher, but just think how I’d feel if it were only, say, 75%! Yes, Donald Trump’s big mouth, and his tiny, groping hands, have made life much easier for Nervous…
Dini Virsaladze—“Straight No Chaser”
Yes, more “Straight, No Chaser”. Why stop when you’ve got a good thing going? Dini Virsaladze-piano,Roberto Puggioni-bass,David Masteranov-guitar,Guram Tetsoshvili-drums,David Japaridze-percussion. Tbilisi Jazz 2009. Posted by Dini Virsaladze