News and Commentary on Politics, Media and Culture

Mr. Bookworm cannot stand the fluff pieces that are an integral part of Olympic coverage. On Saturday night, therefore, when NBC switched from Michael Phelp’s history breaking gold medal to an interview with Kobe Bryant, Mr. Bookworm immediately switched off the television. I’m now quite sorry he did. Kobe may be a [...]

No Comments »

I watched most of the opening ceremonies last night.  They were gorgeous.  They also reminded me very strongly of the public spectacles that socialist countries have always loved:  vast numbers of people moving in tightly choreographed formations.  It’s certainly impressive, but it’s also a vivid, visual reminder of the socialist state’s ability to subordinate peoples’ [...]

No Comments »