August 24th, 2012 → 6:00 am
“We have seen the best of our time.” – King Lear
A friend emailed me the other day asking if I thought the world was on the decline; if morals had been abandoned by politicians, if the current generation was excessively lazy, if entrepreneurs and businesspeople were unconscionably conniving. I don’t know, but the fear that we are on the decline appears to be a repeated one throughout history. Every generation seems to think the next one is lazier, the politicians even worse, etc. I know they are from his plays, but Shakespeare repeatedly has characters saying that this is it, but was it? We have a lot of problems in this world, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not so narcissistic to think MY time is the pinnacle.
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
August 22nd, 2012 → 6:44 am
“Words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart.” – Troilus and Cressida
A couple of days ago Todd Akin, the Republican challenger for the Senate seat in Missouri, made some remarkable claims, including that in instances of “legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” It’s ignited a firestorm of debate about abortion, women’s rights, and the Republican party. Akin has come under pressure to apologize, and indeed he has, but what has surprised me so far is that nobody is pointing out how his “apology” was totally bogus. He did not admit that he was wrong, merely that he used poor word choice. Indeed, he maintains that his heart (and thus his beliefs)Â are the same as ever. Why is anyone considering this an apology??
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
August 20th, 2012 → 6:01 am
“The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side,
His youthful hose well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.” – As You Like It
There’s been a lot of talk lately about Medicare and the differences in approach towards it between Romney/Ryan and Obama/Biden. As such, the elderly have been on my mind. Here’s Shakespeare classic take on that sixth stage in life, when you get so old you start to seem like a child again…
Filed under: Blog & Other & Politics/Politicians
August 18th, 2012 → 8:09 am
“He’s loved of the distracted multitude, who like not in their judgement, but their eyes.” – Hamlet
I’ll give it to him, Paul Ryan is handsome. But that’s all I’ll give him. If you like his policies, or anything else about him, you’re part of the distracted multitude.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
August 12th, 2012 → 8:05 am
“Who chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire.
Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves.
Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath.” – Merchant of Venice
These are the three inscriptions on the gold, silver, and lead caskets, only one of which leads to Portia’s hand in marriage. And of course it is the third, lead, casket that the suitor must choose in order to be the winner. The sentiment seems right for Romney as well. He has hazarded his presidential run on the choice of Paul Ryan as running mate. Was it a good choice? I don’t know, but at least it solidifies things. Before I didn’t know what Romney stood for, now it seems clearer that he is in the conservative camp. Romney’s choice has given us a choice, between two distinct alternatives. I’ll be curious to see which one wins this fall.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
August 1st, 2012 → 7:49 am
“Out idle words, servants to shallow fools,
Unprofitable sounds, weak arbitrators!” – Lucrece
Romney really stuck his foot in his mouth, on multiple occasions during his recent overseas trip. I’m sure being a politician is hard, being in the spotlight most of the time is hard, but come on. What I really want to know is, why does Romney want to be president? What drives him? What’s making him go through all this? A desire to quell injustice? Pride and nationalism in country? An innate sense of duty? Or is it really just that he wants to be president, because that seems another cool job to which to aspire?
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
July 30th, 2012 → 8:05 am
“Thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry
And lose the name of action.” – Hamlet
Last week there were more rumblings from Europe that the Euro will be saved! (This time from European Central Bank president Mario Draghi). All well and good, but to be honest, I kind of doubt it. I’ve already written a few blog posts about the poor handling of the Greek debt situation. Along with that goes a poor understanding of what it takes to really make the Euro work. If the singe currency doesn’t break apart in the next couple of years – and no reforms are done to better unify the European economies – then there will be more troubles in the years ahead and eventually the Euro will break down. Repeated “announcements” with no firm action are worse than useless.
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Politics/Politicians
July 10th, 2012 → 7:45 am
“‘Tis gold
Which buys admittance.” – Cymbeline
It’s stunning the amount of money being raised by the presidential candidates right now. I don’t think totals will win or lose this election, but they do still matter marginally. And the amounts are just eye-popping. I guess what’s bothersome about it all is that it seems as though the little donor just doesn’t matter anymore. It’s all a big guys game now.
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Politics/Politicians
June 29th, 2012 → 8:10 am
“These nice sharp quillets of the law.” – Henry VI, Part I
First thing, welcome back everyone! Second thing, can you believe this Supreme Court ruling? Sure made for an interesting day listening to the news yesterday. ‘Quillet,’ by the way, is a subtlety, or quibble. The above quote refers to the subtle distinctions possible in the law. And for the first time in my life, I almost wanted to be a lawyer yesterday the field looked so interesting, dynamic, and exciting!
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
June 7th, 2012 → 6:43 am
“Make war breed peace.” – Timon of Athens
The recall election in Wisconsin is over and Governor Walker has won. Whether that is good or not I don’t know (if I had lived in Wisconsin I honestly have no idea how I would have voted). But now that the war is over it’s the Governor’s job to make peace out of the pieces. I was glad to hear in his victory speech talk of inclusion and working together – we can only hope.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians