In a new book of essays by Gore Vidal, Jay Parini describes old-fashioned conservatism succinctly. "…Vidal is conservative in many respects,” writes Parini. “He stands behind individual choice, the limitation of executive power, and preservation of the environment. Like his grandfather, he dislikes the empire. … He would return us, if possible, to the pureContinue reading “True Conservativism”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
Memo to Joe Biden: Represent!
Ezra explains the Biden pick better’n anyone else. For progressives, this is encouraging pick. More encouraging than Bayh, or Kaine, or even, in a way, Sebelius. More encouraging than picks who might have been more progressive, but less pugnacious. Elevating Biden suggests that the Obama campaign has decided to have an argument. Not try toContinue reading “Memo to Joe Biden: Represent!”
LA Times: Not Dead Yet
The LA Times announced another round of cutbacks a week ago, and sometimes seems to be committing suicide in front of its Southern California readers…but despite all its financial woes the paper still has plenty of first-rate journalists on the beat. One of their best is Scott Gold, who yesterday wrote a story about myContinue reading “LA Times: Not Dead Yet”
Dog Days
Hope vs. Greed, the Future vs. Today, Obama vs. McCain
The self-sacrifice involved in mutual sharing and co-operative action is impossible without hope. When today is all there is, we grab and hold on. We are afloat in an ocean of nothingness and we hang on to any miserable piece of wreckage as if it were the tree of life… Those without hope are dividedContinue reading “Hope vs. Greed, the Future vs. Today, Obama vs. McCain”
Mold: Toxic Menace or Life on Earth?
While I was gone, I missed a great (and long) story in the LA Weekly (here) about the mom who turned mold "toxic," creating a storm of lucrative litigation out of fear, misunderstanding, and greed. Like those who would later join the cause, including Johnny Carson sidekick Ed McMahon, [Sharon Kramer] saw a conspiracy fundedContinue reading “Mold: Toxic Menace or Life on Earth?”
Why Editorials Mean Nothing in the Age of Bush
Well, I exaggerate. A little. Not much. Here’s an example: The New York Times editorializing against the latest outrage from the Bush administration, their attempt to kill the Endangered Species Act: The Bush administration has never masked its distaste for most environmental laws or its ambitions to thwart Congress’s will. Now in its waning months,Continue reading “Why Editorials Mean Nothing in the Age of Bush”
Joel Woolf v. Big Auto, Big Oil, Big Government…and Hippies
The idea of driving a vehicle powered by vegetable oil reeks of the hippie lifestyle: It’s a homegrown technology, seemingly far out of the mainstream, and requires a continuing commitment to the often messy process of filtering waste vegetable oil, usually begged from restaurants. The fact that the exhaust from a “vegged” vehicle can smellContinue reading “Joel Woolf v. Big Auto, Big Oil, Big Government…and Hippies”
The Real Olympic Competition
It’s been too long since I stole from Toles…
Revered “National Poet” of Palestine Passes On
Mahmoud Darwish, the "National Poet" of Palestine, died yesterday. Though this will likely go virtually unnoticed in the West, his loss will be deeply felt in the Middle East. (His elegant website barely loads this morning, probably because the server is struggling to keep up with demand.) Darwish reportedly was devastated by the conflict thatContinue reading “Revered “National Poet” of Palestine Passes On”
Kit Stolz 