It's my impression that major news reporting has actually done a pretty good job of separating out the good news from last month's job report from the overall picture. For instance, this morning's LA Times story, from Don Lee: The country gained 244,000 net jobs last month but still needs about 7 million additional jobsContinue reading “A lone sparrow does not make a spring: April’s jobs report”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
Monbiot: Environmentalism is stuck
George Monbiot is not the first enviro to argue that the movement, if it is a movement, has argued itself into a corner. That it is, as he says, "stuck." But he has a knack for putting it plainly: Those seeking to protect the landscape are not our enemies; nor are those advocating that renewablesContinue reading “Monbiot: Environmentalism is stuck”
“Mission Accomplished,” eight years later
From Dan Froomkin, exiled from the Washington Post to Huffland: Ironically, Obama’s announcement [of the killing of Osama bin Laden] came eight years to the day after Bush famously and prematurely declared "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq after landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Looks like Mike Lukovich sees the same irony:
L.A. Times takes home two Pulitzers, much pride
A team of reporters from the Los Angeles Times, reporting on the tiny town of Bell and its corrupt leadership, has taken home virtually every big award given out in journalism, including a Pulitzer. Reporter Jeff Gottlieb, who worked the story with Ruben Vives, recounted the story's genesis: Gottlieb, 57, recounted the moment he andContinue reading “L.A. Times takes home two Pulitzers, much pride”
When I am among trees, by Mary Oliver
When I am among the trees,especially the willows and the honey locust,equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,they give off such hints of gladness,I would almost say that they save me, and daily. I am so distant from the hope of myself,in which I have goodness, and discernment,and never hurry through the worldbut walkContinue reading “When I am among trees, by Mary Oliver”
Are run-on subtitles the flop sweat of publishing?
Bill Morris has a theory: In a marketplace glutted with too many titles – and in a culture that makes books more marginal by the day – publishers seem to think that if they just shout loudly enough, people will notice their products, then buy them. In other words, the run-on subtitle is literature’s equivalentContinue reading “Are run-on subtitles the flop sweat of publishing?”
The frog metaphor that will not die (alas)
In which Conservation magazine demolishes the deathless metaphor/myth of the frog that supposedly will not jump out of a pot of water brought slowly to a boil. To wit: Dr. Victor Hutchison, a herpetologist at the University of Oklahoma, has dealt with frogs throughout his professional life. Indeed, one of his current research interests isContinue reading “The frog metaphor that will not die (alas)”
First draft advice from Tennessee Williams
I believe that the way to write a good play is to convince yourself that it is easy to do — then go ahead and do it. Don't maul, don't suffer, don't groan — till the first draft is finished. Then Calvary — but not till then. Doubt — and be lost — until the first draft isContinue reading “First draft advice from Tennessee Williams”
Go blue! The problem with sports as politics
The play-offs (and Ted Rall) remind me that the sports mindset, as the President might say, has its limits. I hear Noam Chomsky also has some views on sports. In Manufacturing Consent, in front of an adoring audience, he marvels out loud at the intelligence with which "Joe Six Pack" types can on the radioContinue reading “Go blue! The problem with sports as politics”
Can nice guys finish first?
The Los Angeles Lakers basketball club were widely expected to sweep the New Orleans this month, on their way to a possible third consecutive NBA championship, but on Sunday were torched by the smallest player on the court, Chris Paul. Lakers' fans focused blame on the Laker's big man Pau Gasol, who put up aContinue reading “Can nice guys finish first?”
Kit Stolz 