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The next culture war
You know why it’s easy to get hits on a blog post? Headlines and hashtags. Content rarely matters. But I strive for both because I like “hits,” and the illusion of people actually reading this stuff. So, this post really IS about the “next culture war.” David Brooks has written a very challenging column for today’s New York Times. Basically, it’s a…
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Some respect. Who knew?
Nicholas Kristof is a columnist for The New York Times. I have admired his work when he goes to Africa and writes of the horror he witnesses constantly in that area of the world. He focused on the Sudan years ago and brought a lot of awareness to the genocide in that country. In this column he openly admits he has…
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The devaluing of human life
Usually when it comes to war and use of force, especially use of troops, media sources like The New York Times are fairly pacifist. (Depending on the president in office at the time and their political party, of course.) Generally speaking, many media outlets back off the calling for use of force. But this editorial in The New York Times was strident. They…
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When you can’t even read the Constitution
I clearly hesitate to wade into arguments and battles that just can’t have any resolution in a public forum. They are also discussions I thoroughly like having in small groups or with individuals. But when an argument is so poor that it causes me to almost throw my computer across a room, I need to say at least SOMETHING on…
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The Jewish (and Christian) Question
Today is pull the pin and roll the grenade into the room day. Let’s start with an article detailing the genius marketing ploy of evangelical Christians to say America is a Christian nation. Have fun. Then the chilling one. Over the weekend I watched an older movie on Amazon Prime called “The Conspiracy.” It was a film dedicated entirely to…
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Gettysburg — Why They Fought
Another excellent piece by David Brooks in The New York Times today. It is a reflection on the difference in soldiers from the Civil War to today. The language, the letters, the thoughts, are so completely different. We look so small today in comparison. In our current era, as the saying goes, we take that which is lower to be…
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Language Shifts Indicate Cultural Shifts
David Brooks has a column today reflecting on language shifts over the last 50 years. His observations are interesting. Usage of humility words like “modesty” and “humbleness” dropped by 52 percent. Usage of compassion words like “kindness” and “helpfulness” dropped by 56 percent. Meanwhile, usage of words associated with the ability to deliver, like “discipline” and “dependability” rose over…
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The Oppressed and Spree Killers
The shootings in Aurora, CO, shock us once again. It is absolutely horrifying that someone plans that much detail just to kill as many people as possible. We will keep asking “Why” and the “why” may never come. We will have conversations about gun control and violence and so many more things. Well, we won’t actually have any real conversations on those…
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Journalism as a Dying Trade
I grew up thinking I would be a journalist. Lou Grant, the TV series after Mary Tyler Moore, was a favorite of mine. Print media is dying, dead, beyond dead… whatever. However, does that mean we have to kill journalism as well? The internet is a wonderful tool for me because I can access all kinds of viewpoints, but I…
Tag: New York Times
