February 28th, 2014 → 9:44 am
“The laws are mine, not thine.
Who can arraign me for’t?” – King Lear
Almost three years ago I posted the above quote in relation to Vladimir Putin. Sadly, it continues to apply.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
January 23rd, 2014 → 8:06 am
“The bird of wonder…the maiden phoenix.” – Henry VIII
The above is a quote Shakespeare actually made about Queen Elizabeth I (and not somebody else which I then appropriated for the sake of this blog). I have always admired this single ruler of England for 45 years in the 16th century, but never more so than after reading about what she faced in the quasi-history book What If? I mean, I always knew that she faced a tough struggle with Spain, over twenty assassination attempts, and tons of misogyny, but what I had failed to really appreciate was how trul alone she (and England) were at the time. This was well before England was a great empire. In 1588 when the Spanish Armada attacked, the entire world was against her. There was, literally, only one country that stood with England: the Dutch. How she stayed firm to England’s independence, to her own determination not to marry, how she stayed alive at all (!) I really have a hard time fathoming. Very impressive.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
January 7th, 2014 → 5:48 am
“The rarer action is
In virtue than in vengeance.” – The Tempest
There have been a gazillion tributes to Nelson Mandela since he died about a month ago, so I won’t rehash his extensive history and important accomplishments here. What I will do is comment on the one aspect of his personality which is most relevant to me. In my own life, I often have a hard time forgiving people and getting past injuries and slights. Mandela seems to have been able to do this to an astounding degree. I find it not just amazing, but almost incomprehensible. I hope I can keep his example in mind in the future when life (and people) try my soul.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
November 7th, 2013 → 5:40 am
“‘Tis not enough to help the feeble up,
But to support him after.” – Timon of Athens
I was reading through some Shakespeare this morning, looking for an interesting quote to discuss, and I came across this. It sounds like an argument for social responsibility, for taking care of one’s fellow citizens, for welfare, liberalism, democratic values, whatever you want to call it. At the same time, I know that in Shakespeare’s plays there are a number of quotes of a more “conservative” nature. Hold tight and I’ll post one of those next time…
Filed under: Blog & Other & Politics/Politicians
October 16th, 2013 → 6:34 am
“Why should she live to fill the world with words?” – Henry VI
I’m sure the Taliban are asking this question every day they see Malala on the television again, giving another interview, raising more awareness for her cause. Why? Because she has something rather important to say.
Filed under: Blog & Other & Politics/Politicians
October 9th, 2013 → 5:43 am
“Thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise.” – Tempest
In all honesty, I’m not a macroeconomist. So I can’t confidently proclaim Yellen to be the best choice for the next Federal Reserve chairwoman(?)ship. But from everything I do know, and have read, she sounds pretty competent to me. And Summers would have just been a stupid choice. So congratulations Janet! I look forward to having a woman in the top job.
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Politics/Politicians
September 30th, 2013 → 5:54 am
“Now sits expectation in the air.” – Henry V
It looks to me like we’re headed for a government shutdown by the end of the day. I’ll be on pins and needles waiting to see how this soap opera plays out…
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
September 27th, 2013 → 6:10 am
“He is given
To sports, to wildness, and much company.” – Julius Caesar
On the news feed on my phone this morning was the headline: “Dennis Rodman Reveals Kim Jong Un’s Baby.” I’m sorry, but that is one of the oddest sentences I’ve ever seen in the news feed. I still can’t get over Dennis Rodman’s and Kim Jong Un’s “friendship,” let alone Rodman handling the dictator’s baby. Something about it all just seems so darn weird…
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
September 12th, 2013 → 6:06 am
“Britain’s a world by itself, and we will nothing pay for wearing our own noses.” – Cymbeline
A friend of mine forwarded to me the following bit of British Humor, care of John Cleese:
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Politics/Politicians
August 26th, 2013 → 6:08 am
“A child of our grandmother Eve, a female;
or, for thy more sweet understanding, a woman.” – Love’s Labor’s Lost
However you want to call her – Eve’s grandchild, a female, a woman – to all girlfriends out there, Happy Women’s Equality Day! I didn’t even know there was such a thing until recently, but I’m happy to have a chance to celebrate the right to vote and women’s overall equality. Yeah!
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians