From an interview with his daughter in Newsweek late in his wondrous career: Writing is not at all a competitive sport. I don't think of myself as being less that Saul Bellow or more than Herbert Gold. The essence of literature is always the singularity of the writer. h/t: Al Filreis
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
Thinktank: Water management failing in CA
The highly-regarded Public Policy Institute of California makes an important point in a new book: Despite several decades of well-intentioned environmental regulations, more than 80 percent of the state’s 129 native fish species are extinct or imperiled—listed as endangered or threatened, or likely to qualify for listing in the future. Piecemeal efforts to stop theContinue reading “Thinktank: Water management failing in CA”
The truth about HPV and cancer: Too complicated for a headline
One of NPR's top stories this week is this one: Virus Passed During Oral Sex Tops Tobacco as Throat Cancer Cause Kudos to the news source for not dumbing down the story, a big temptation, which if taken will surely lead to misunderstanding, especially in a headline. (Oral sex leads to cancer!) Not. Here's theirContinue reading “The truth about HPV and cancer: Too complicated for a headline”
How to win the conversation over global warming
Shorter sentences, says Rall: Looks a little frustrated to me, though…
Snow falling and night falling oh so fast…in Yosemite
From the Yosemite Ranger's lovely Twitter feed. A picture: And a poem… Snow falling and night falling fast, oh, fastIn a field I looked into going past,And the ground almost covered smooth in snow,But a few weeds and stubble showing last. The woods around it have it—it is theirs.All animals are smothered in their lairs.IContinue reading “Snow falling and night falling oh so fast…in Yosemite”
Michigan Congressman attacks EPA, ignores constituents
Fred Upton, the newly-named chairman of the House Commerce and Energy Committee, was once a moderate Republican on climate issues. He supported measures to reduce the risk of global warming. But after receiving a $20,000 donation from the climate-change-denying-fossil-fuel-billionaire Koch brothers, Upton now wants to strip the EPA of its Supreme Court-mandated power to regulateContinue reading “Michigan Congressman attacks EPA, ignores constituents”
The usefulness of intelligence, according to John Wayne
“Life is tough, but it’s tougher if you’re stupid.” A quote from John Wayne, allegedly. Which came up in a fascinating conversation about True Grit, the spectacular movie, the much-admired book, and a whole lot more, between the great Larry McMurtry and his writing partner Diana Ossana, in (of all places) the New York ReviewContinue reading “The usefulness of intelligence, according to John Wayne”
Why American problems are easily solved
Those concerned about climate change, from scientists to journalists to politicians, have a plethora of theories why the United States, almost alone among the nations of the developed world, seems resistant to acting to avoid the worst of the consequences. Update: A handful of possibilities are discussed this week in The Economist, which doesn't provideContinue reading “Why American problems are easily solved”
Scary graph of the week: Employment falls off a cliff
No wonder these times feel hard… via The Vantage Point
Billionaire brothers take control of House committee
Just when a sensible person is ready to throw in the towel on The Los Angeles Times, figuring it no longer has the will or the resources to cover national news, on Sunday they put on the front page a first-rate story that reveals how the multi-billionaire Koch brothers, aka The Kochtopus, have come toContinue reading “Billionaire brothers take control of House committee”
Kit Stolz 