At first the telephone had no bell. “The only way to know if someone was trying to get through to you was to pick up the telephone from time to time and see if anyone was there”. (bryson, “At Home”, p. 228 This is much like Skype today; you have to make an appointment to [...]
No one hears the tremble in your voice. No one knows you’ve had too much wine. You’ve got a permanent record of what you said, and what your correspondent said. You read it at your convenience, not at the sound of a bell. You respond after you’ve had a chance to think about your answer. [...]
While driving to the gym this morning, I passed by an intersection where there were quite a few young people holding up signs reading, “Jesus loves you” and “God Is Good” and such like. They were what? Witnessing? I guess. At the time, I was listening to a recorded lecture on American history, specifically about [...]
We have faith-based initiatives; but why not faith-based terrorism? Surely al-Queda qualifies? How about “pro-life” (that is, anti-abortion) terrorisim?
Dear President Obama, I guess you must have missed my blog about the war in Afghanistan: how when you sent 17,000 new troops, you should have 5,000 of them skilled in speaking the Pashto language. How much more warmly they would be welcomed! What a message that would have sent to the entire Islamic community! [...]
For the last few weeks I’ve cringed when I came across Glenn Greenwald’s column in Salon. I really didn’t want to read about any of Obama’s failures, and GG does go on about his failure to call for a thorough investigation of the torture practices of the Bush administration. I knew he was right, but [...]
Make this list (Ok, check) Update Coley Blease Blog Finish note to nephew re software development Finish reading book on Reconstruction Organize photos on Coley Blease site Research Blease speeches in The State at Greenville Library Convince doctor on Wednesday that my high blood pressure is normal and non-threatening, really! Make contact with old friend [...]
“What’s your social?” the clerk at the hospital asks me, as I’m registering for a blood test. You jerk! It’s my social security number, dummy, not my “social”. If you want a social, go to the church basement where the ice-cream social is being held. And why do I have to register for a blood [...]
Vermont Legislature Makes Same-Sex Marriage Legal My favorite State!