In November 2004, the world watched in awe as Viktor Yushchenko – scarred but unbowed by a botched attempt to assassinate him – led Ukrainian democrats in an Orange Revolution against the communists who had lorded over them for the past fifty-plus years. And, in April 2005, I published this laudatory and hopeful commentary on… Read more.
If you thought Lance Armstrong was a cycling phenom, meet Floyd Landis…
Let’s face it, if Lance Armstrong were not a cancer survivor, public interest in his cycling feats (and in professional cycling) would not have been nearly as great. Nonetheless, I suspect his fellow cyclists (especially Europeans) welcomed his retirement last year. After all, this not only guaranteed that – for the first time in seven… Read more.
Apropos sports phenoms: Tiger Woods won the British Open…again!!!
As a former competitive athlete (swimmer), I understand implicitly why so many people are hooked on playing golf. But I can also appreciate why professional golfers are chagrined to hear that the popularity of their sport is due as much to shrewd marketing (to yuppies as the course to take for corporate success) as to… Read more.
U.S. Sec of State Condi Rice: “I came to talk peace today but…
US and Israel, Lebanon and Hezbollah Read more.
For what it’s worth, Bush’s veto will not stop stem cell research…
I made very clear to Congress that the use of federal money, taxpayer’s money, to promote science which destroys life in order to save life – I’m against that. Therefore, if the bill does that, I would veto it. And so, on Wednesday, President George W. Bush held true to his word and wielded the… Read more.
Good (news) Friday: Bush finally addresses the NAACP…
I know, I know: finding good news these days might be difficult, but this is ridiculous…right?I appreciate why his critics argue that, despite being linked to the racially-motivated murder of James Byrd (in a NAACP political ad in 2000) and called every vile name imaginable by its leaders, President George W. Bush should still have… Read more.
Yo Bush! Never mind Iraq and Lebanon, what about Haiti?
In this article, published last February 14, I wrote the following forlorn valentine about Haiti: I must admit that I do not know who amongst the motley crew of 34 candidates in last week’s presidential elections offered the best leadership prospects for Haiti. But ever since it descended into virtual anarchy during the final days… Read more.
Evacuating Lebanon: the Katrina effect…
Caption courtesy of the Associated Press (AP): American citizens show their passports to U.S. Marines as they wait behind barricades in the sweltering heat in a coastal center near the U.S. embassy north of Beirut, Lebanon for their names to be called in order to be be processed for evacuation from the war torn country… Read more.
Oprah protests ‘I’m not gay! (Too Much, Me Thinks)
On Monday, Oprah released excerpts from an interview she and her “best friend” Gayle King did for the August issue of her own O, The Oprah Magazine, for which Gayle is editor-at-large. In it they deny they’re gay – though insist, of course, that “there’s nothing wrong with being gay.” Oprah begins: I understand why… Read more.
Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela!
… after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. [Nelson Mandela] Such humility (and restless aspiration) coming from a man so great makes me feel unworthy to even wish him a Happy Birthday. Nonetheless, the world celebrates Nelson Mandela’s 88th birthday today. And, adding to his inspirational… Read more.