I was waiting to turn right on to a busy main street, and the car ahead of me was turning left. Turning right is a much easier maneuver in heavy traffic. There was no traffic light. The stream of traffic on the main street was relentless. I began to think that I would be behind the left … More Road Rage
“For the Israelis, anti-Semitism is merely a nightmare. For the Palestinians, it’s a catastrophe. If you believe, as I do, that the Palestinians’ cause is just, nothing could be more depressing than to hear them spout the very stuff that guarantees they will never get an even break.”–Clive James, “The University of the Holocaust: On … More Quote of the Day
Several years ago when I wrote a grammar column for The Edmonton Journal, I objected to the use of “impact” as a verb, not because I objected to turning nouns into verbs—it happens quite naturally in English all the time—but because “impact” was being used inappropriately as a synonym for “affect: How will smaller paper … More Impact or Affect?
“Migrants are our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger, exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet’s resources which are meant to be equitably shared by all. Don’t we all want a better, more decent and prosperous life to share with our loved ones?”—Pope Francis, Message of … More Quote of the Day
I met a congenial Quaker at a party. I didn’t know anybody else at the party except the hosts, and I always feel a bit awkward at parties, so I was happy to have the friendly Quaker to talk to. I can’t remember how his being a Quaker came up. Once it did, though, we … More Do Religious Differences Matter?
“As for slang, I’m all for it! I don’t know how I ever did without to flame (protest self-righteously), to dis (express disrespect for), and to blow off (dismiss an obligation), and there are thousands of now-unexceptionable English words like clever, fun, sham, banter, mob, and stingy that began life as slang. It is especially … More Quote of the Day
This is the best headline about Donald Trump’s second place finish in the Iowa Caucuses, and it’s on the front page of a newspaper in New York, where they know Trump best.
“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.” ― Dante Alighieri
I was pleased that Donald Trump came in second in the Republican Iowa caucuses even though the winner, Ted Cruz, is creepy beyond belief. But that a lying, narcissistic racist like Donald Trump is merely the second choice of Republicans is somewhat reassuring. On the Democratic side I was disappointed that Bernie Sanders didn’t soundly defeat Hillary Clinton, although … More The Iowa Caucuses
“Everyone is free to pick and choose what they like or dislike from speeches. But the time has come for Israelis, Palestinians and the international community to read the writing on the wall: The status quo is untenable. Keeping another people under indefinite occupation undermines the security and the future of both Israelis and Palestinians.–Ban … More Quote of the Day
No Harm Spilt 