Welcome! This is an unapologetic, agenda-free zone. Just commentaries on current events that’ll move you to think, laugh, rage, and even cry.
The entire world seems shocked by the BREAKING NEWS that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has stripped Lance Armstrong of all cycling titles and prize money won since 1998 and banned him from the sport for life. Most notably this includes stripping him of his seven Tour de France titles. But I am not: The… Read more.
News outlets cover natural disasters purportedly as a public service. But there’s no denying that such coverage is a ratings boon for their bottom line – catering as it does to the perverse thrill of suspense that keeps us fixated on the hype of impending doom…. [But] Americans are blessed with the technology, escape routes… Read more.
I remember well the prevailing view that Mainland Chinese leaders would have a difficult time inspiring loyalty among Hong Kong Chinese after “the handover” in 1997. Which is why it is more than ironic that it’s a Hong-Kong based group that is leading nationalistic protests against Japan over ownership and control of the Senkakus Islands… Read more.
My regard for the media is such that it would not surprise me if they tried to hype the eating of a ham sandwich as an historic event. This essentially is what I think of the way they hyped the latest attempt by Diana Nyad to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida… Read more.
I trust my commentaries make it plain that I am far too cynical (aka informed) to be disappointed by anything in American politics. And nothing justifies my cynicism quite like the way political debates and election campaigns have been reduced to little more than hurling partisan talking points that have no regard for objective facts.… Read more.
Such is the nature of groupthink among Western commentators that you’d be hard-pressed to find any who support, as I do, Russia’s decision on Friday to incarcerate three Pussy Rioters. The nature of their political hooliganism warrants prosecution. Likewise you’d be hard-pressed to find any who oppose, as I do, Ecuador’s decision that same day to… Read more.
Related commentaries: Biden, shut up! Read more.
Three female members of a Russian punk band called Pussy Riot were arrested five months ago for crashing service at a Moscow cathedral to perform a protest song against President Vladimir Putin. I suspect few commentators have criticized Putin in print more than I have for his dictatorial rule. In fact, I coined the phrase “the putinization of Russia”… Read more.
Rabble-rousing trade unionists (COSATU) and unreformed communists (SACP) have turned the ruling ANC from a governing coalition into a band of pillagers. Therefore, Zuma relying on them to intimidate his critics, like cartoonist Zapiro, should serve as a dire warning of what South Africa will become under his leadership. (“Zuma issues fatwa against cartoonist Zapiro,”… Read more.
Vice President Joe Biden set Republican tongues wagging on Tuesday for injecting the following not-so-subtle dog-whistle about race into a speech he delivered that day before a predominantly Black crowd in Southern Virginia: Romney wants to let the, he said the first 100 days he’s gon’ let the big banks once again write their own rules.… Read more.
