The chief cultural emblem of our times is this: Wearing a mask. Or not. These low-tech, high-impact, low-cost coverings are so simple and effective at helping reduce the COVID-19 infection rate that our top political...
These mass protests against systemic racism are driving Donald Trump plumb crazy! Of course, that’s a pretty short drive for him. He would be hilarious if his buffoonery was not so dangerous and destructive. For...
Viewing the video of George Floyd’s gruesome murder, one word from him stuck in my head, one painful human utterance that conveys the horror of it all: “Momma,” Mr. Floyd cried out in desperation and...
Suddenly, “social distancing” is our new national etiquette abruptly supplanting handshakes, hugs, gatherings, and other forms of ingrained communal behavior by us humans. Awkward. Disconcerting. Isolating. Yet, as we frantically scramble to deter the health...
Amazingly, America has become a nation of socialists, asking in dismay: “Where’s the government?” These are not born-again Bernie Sanders activists, but everyday people of all political stripes (including previously apolitical multitudes) who’re now clamoring...
Times of great adversity not only bring out the best and worst in society, but they also flush out some of the stinkiest and slimiest creatures. Think of war profiteers… or hucksters who prey on...
Charles Dickens, writing about the inequality and social turmoil leading to the French Revolution, noted that “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” So it is today, with the horrific...
I love those nature shows that probe the behavior and intelligence of birds, elephants, and other fellow creatures. However, there’s one exotic critter the shows have ignored, and it’s crying out for analysis: Humanoid super-richinoids....
Our society has coined expressions like “philanthropist” to encourage and hail people’s charitable spirit. Look on the flip side of that shiny coin of generosity, however, and you’ll find that its base substance is societal...
There’s a general sentiment today that multimillionaire corporate chieftains are pigs. But I think that’s unfair. To pigs. Those oinkers are remarkably intelligent animals with a sense of social responsibility to the common good of...