December 14th, 2011 → 8:15 am
“I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men.” – Henry IV, Part II
This pompous line was said by Falstaff, a comedic, rotund character who regularly thought far too highly of himself (remember that “wit” often referred to intelligence in Shakespeare’s day). Who doesn’t think Newt Gingrich is a modern day Falstaff?
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
December 10th, 2011 → 7:52 am
“The laws are mine, not thine.
Who can arraign me for’t?” – King Lear
I woke up this morning to find that the protest bug has hit Russia too. Apparently thousands gathered Saturday morning in Moscow to protest apparently rigged elections in Putin’s favor. I hope the rally is a success; Putin is a demagogue who seems to think that Russia is his personal playground. It’s time for him to go already.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
December 6th, 2011 → 6:55 am
“There’s small choice in rotten apples.” – The Taming of the Shrew
Need I say more?
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
December 4th, 2011 → 6:29 am
“After summer evermore succeeds
Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold.” – Henry VI, Part II
I’ve been fascinated lately with the morphing relationship between Syria (and President Assad) and Turkey (and Prime Minister Erdogan). Just a few years ago they were the best of friends, with a warm, laughing relationship. Now Turkey is imposing sanctions on Syria and Erdogan is lecturing Assad like a grandmother. It is really, truly fascinating to watch.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
November 10th, 2011 → 7:07 am
“…we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools.” – King Lear
Originally I was thinking that this quote fit the Republican presidential debate last night (and in particular the gaffe by Perry). But the more I think about it, the more it seems to fit everything that is going on right now. The political leaders in Europe and their poor handling of the debt crisis, the shocking sexual abuse cover-up at Penn State, a number of my colleagues at work. It really makes one want to throw up their hands and cry!
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
November 8th, 2011 → 6:55 am
“The very substance of the ambitous is merely the shadow of a dream.” – Hamlet
The more I watch Herman Cain and see of his campaign, the more I think there isn’t any substance to it. And it isn’t just the sexual harassment scandal, but the scary lack of foreign policy knowledge and the surprising inability to give a straight answer to even simple questions. He may indeed be running for president more to pursue his dream of selling a lot of books, than because he actually wants to run the country.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
November 2nd, 2011 → 6:34 am
“In Greece…
Though there the people had more absolute power –
I say they nourished disobedience, fed
The ruin of the state.” – Coriolanus
The problems of the Euro Crisis and the Greek debt just aren’t going away. Every time Europe gets close to closing in on a deal, either they don’t, or the deal turns out to be pretty lame. In economics, as in politics, one needs to get ahead of these situations to solve them. But now the Europeans are so far behind, I don’t know what is going to happen…
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People
October 29th, 2011 → 7:15 am
Third Fisherman: “I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.”
First Fisherman: “Why, as men do a-land: the great ones eat up the little ones.” – Pericles
The Occupy Wall Street protesters do have a point.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
October 21st, 2011 → 8:08 am
“Sin, death, and hell have set their marks on him.” – Richard III
The New York Times had a rather gruesome picture of the dead Muammar Qaddafi on their homepage yesterday. I imagine no one looks good dead, but still, the image made me think that sin, death, and hell were indeed all marked upon the man. Eek. I still can’t get the image out of my mind…
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
October 11th, 2011 → 5:33 am
“Who is man that is not angry?” – Timon of Athens
First it was the Tea Party, now it’s Occupy Wall Street, it appears that a new protest movement gains steam in the U.S. every couple of years. It’s sad that so many people are so unhappy right now. Although at least our democracy is working.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians