More than ten years ago Thomas Frank wrote a book called What’s the Matter with Kansas? (later made into a documentary film) that pondered how so many working people have been persuaded to vote against their own self-interest. The same … Continue reading
This isn’t particularly graphic, I’m glad to say, but it does illustrate the dangers of cell phone use, especially for texting, while behind the wheel. The drivers shown here are all teenagers, but we older goats aren’t immune. I’ve wised … Continue reading
This is one of the longest videos I’ve ever posted or linked to here (it runs a bit over 33 minutes), but I think it’s worth watching. John Oliver talks and jokes about the Patriot Act (sometimes beating the jokes … Continue reading
My friend Bruce Arthurs has written a brief but interesting piece on his blog about the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) that I recommend. Here’s the link. Among other things, Bruce mentions a couple of instructive examples: someone who had … Continue reading
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare,” was signed into law five years and one week ago. Here’s a compact seven-and-a-half-minute video clip assessing how well it’s working from prolific writer and commentator John Green, who incidentally buys his own … Continue reading
Ever since 1972 the General Social Survey has polled adult Americans’ opinions on a variety of subjects using in-person interviews. The latest results, based on a survey conducted in 2014, have recently been released, and they’re quite interesting. The Associated … Continue reading
As you’ve probably heard, Sir Terry Pratchett, best known as a writer of satirical fantasy novels, has died at the age of 66, surrounded by his family, with his cat asleep on his bed. He was diagnosed eight years ago … Continue reading
Early I posted a John Oliver clip I said was entertaining but not his best bit. Here’s example of a very good one. It’s reasonably funny but, as often with Oliver’s reports, also informative and substantive and valuable. My respect … Continue reading
In a post here a bit over a year ago (link) I pointed out that a short video on the otherwise excellent Minute Physics YouTube channel managed to confuse pink (basically red plus white light) with magenta (white minus the … Continue reading
In the clip below, courtesy of HBO’s Last Week Tonight, John Oliver takes on prescription drug marketing in a clip that will leave you terrified, enraged, and laughing all at the same time. At a bit over 17 minutes, it’s … Continue reading