Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
9/11: Remembering Eddie Calderón
As I posted my blog entry this evening, the most recent “Freshly Pressed” selection caught my eye. It had no accompanying image and was titled simply 2996. I soon learned about the 3,500 bloggers who had volunteered to write a memorial for one of the 9/11 victims. Unfortunately, some of the links had since expired—and […]
Filed under: On this day in history, Politics, Psychology, Writing | 4 Comments
Tags: Eddie Calderon, Edward Calderon 44 Port Transit Authority, Edward Calderon WTC, Project 2996, September 11, World Trade Center
How wealth can also impoverish
My friend Tom (aka., “The Blogfodder”) has been at it again. Today he sent me a treasure trove of great reads—including some good advice, should I decide to become a busker: “If you can’t be original, be good.” (I couldn’t help but think of my pal Rudy McLeod, who is both original and good.) I […]
Filed under: Attempted humor, Ethics, Politics, Psychology | 12 Comments
Tags: Blogfodder, Duff McKagan, Galway busking, Galway Ireland, Guns n' Roses, happiness, street musician, Tom, Utne Reader, wealth
Act on this post and save a life
The United Nations is calling it one of the worst humanitarian crises in decades. Almost 11 million people are suffering, a quarter of Somalia’s population is displaced, and an estimated 10,000 people a day are dying of hunger. Scores of others are battling malaria. The pictures are heartbreaking. Tyler Hicks, The New York Times via […]
Filed under: Ethics, On this day in history, Politics, Psychology | 4 Comments
Tags: 2011 Somalia famine, drought, famine, postaday2011, Somalia, UNICEF, United Nations
It pays to be beautiful
I’m not beautiful. In fact, I would describe myself as a “plain Jane:” not repulsively hideous—but nothing to write home about, either. Don’t believe me? Here are the cold, hard facts, courtesy of Anaface.com: OK, so 7.45 out of 10 isn’t that bad. Still … if Daniel S. Hamermesh is right, my poor horizontal symmetry, […]
Filed under: Ethics, Politics, Psychology | 6 Comments
Tags: beautiful people, Beauty Pays, Daniel Hamermesh, postaday2011, wage gap
Bastille, my soul …
Today is le 14 juillet, the date on which France celebrates its liberation from a tyrannical (or at least breathtakingly clueless and inept) monarchy. “Bastille Day” was a significant turning point in France’s history, bien sûr. But what many people don’t know is that it was also the birthday of a most curious French pastime: […]
Filed under: Attempted humor, On this day in history, Paris, Politics, Travel | 4 Comments
Tags: 1789 revolution, Bastille Day, history, le 14 juillet, manif, manifestation, Paris, postaday2011, protest, revolution
Minnesota is closed. Call again!
Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota legislature have been tussling over the state’s budget since February. But because they were unable to reach an agreement, Minnesota’s government shut down on July 1. Since then, state offices have been dark and the state parks have been closed. “But what about the people?” I’ve wondered every day. […]
Filed under: Minnesota, Politics, Psychology | 6 Comments
Tags: Governor Mark Dayton, Minnesota government shutdown, Minnesota legislature, Minnesota politics, postaday2011
Half begging, half protest
I have a soft spot for the downtrodden, so it’s not uncommon for me to give a few coins to the occasional beggar. “What’s his story?” I often ask myself as our eyes meet for a moment. “How did he end up here?” Today I actually stopped and asked. I passed this guy on my […]
Filed under: Ethics, Minnesota, Politics, Psychology | 8 Comments
Tags: beggar, homeless, postaday2011, Psychology
Honoring the Holocaust’s martyrs
Today is Holocaust Martyrs Remembrance Day, and I wanted to post something to mark the occasion. I’ve written before about being moved by the memorial plaques that dot Paris’ streets … about the brilliant individuals—like Hélène Berr—whose lives were senselessly snuffed out … about mass actions against the innocent. But today I’m not going to […]
Filed under: Ethics, Minnesota, On this day in history, Paris, Politics, Psychology | 1 Comment
Tags: Auschwitz, Helene Berr, Holocaust Martyrs Memorial Day, Paris, postaday2011, Vel D'Hiv, Velodrom D'Hiver
Dodgeball = danger and death
My friend Tom (aka, “The Blogfodder”) sent me a link this morning: “Classic kids games like kickball deemed unsafe.” In a nutshell: The New York Health Department has rescinded its list of “dangerous” games that would have been prohibited at summer camps. Among the potential child-killer/maimers: Red Rover, dodgeball, tag, and kickball. “And what’s your […]
Filed under: Attempted humor, Politics, Psychology, Random thoughts | 1 Comment
Tags: dodgeball, New York Health Department, postaday2011, Psychology, Red Rover, risk-taking
Parisian photography school
Today I had my first-ever formal photography course. I am indebted to my friend Chris for teaching me how to hold my camera. But now I’m equally indebted to Sophie Pasquet for encouraging me to move outside my comfort zone and actually take control of my camera. As we parted at lunchtime, Sophie asked me […]
Filed under: Friends and family, Paris, Photography, Politics, Travel | 8 Comments
Tags: Paris, postaday2011, Travel, travel photography
