Another politician, another hypocrite — this time, the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Missouri. Let’s start with the story, from the 17 May 2015 issue:
Politics
Freedom of Religion, Alabama Style
I Have a Few Comments on Mike Straw’s story this week. Let’s start with the story, from the 18 January 2015 issue:
Loyalty Oath
I have quite a bit to say about the lead story this week. Let’s start with the story, from the 23 November 2014 issue:
Clowns to the Left of Me; Jokers to the Right
I got a protest unsubscribe this weekend from “EJ” in California, who complained:
Why I Embrace “Gay Marriage”
Simply put, I fully believe in the idea that “all men* are created equal” and are entitled to equal protection under the law.
*(“men” being a generic word for humans, as in “mankind” — I believe the statement equally applies to women.)
“Gay-Baiting”
I’ve made no secret that I’m pretty much 100 percent egalitarian. I’ve defended the religious, the non-religous, the “the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians,” and many others in True’s stories. I’m interested in whether people walk their talk, not whether they’re religious, gay, atheist, pagan, Muslim, employed, educated — whatever.
Two Tiny Scandals
Two stories this week will, I think, generate some comments from readers. One has a zero tolerance theme, and the other is a minor political scandal. They’re both from True’s 19 February 2012 issue.
Are You Liberal, or Conservative?
I think a couple of stories this week will make some people’s heads explode.
No Parking — Lithuanian Style
I’ve had a couple of complaints about a story in the 7 August 2011 issue. Let’s start with the story:
Forever Doomed to Repeat History
One of the best things about writing This is True is I’m always learning interesting things.
Ed Freeman and Political Manipulation
I generally don’t want suggestions for True’s Honorary Unsubscribe feature; my usual problem is having far too many possibilities for the one slot each week. In July 2009 a new trend started: people wanting me to do an Honorary Unsubscribe write-up for Ed Freeman, a brave Vietnam War helicopter pilot who saved about 30 shot-up kids and was awarded the Medal of Honor — the U.S.’s highest military decoration.
Zero Tolerance and the 800-lb Gorilla
The New York Times had an article today on a ridiculous zero tolerance situation: a kid in Delaware who was so excited to get his Cub Scouts camping utensil — a fork, knife and spoon combo — that he took it to school to eat his lunch with. Yeah, a Cub Scout: Zachary Christie is just 6 years old.
Zero Tolerance Thwarted by Common Sense
The first story in True about “zero tolerance” appeared in June, 1995, and I started railing about the concept soon after. It took more than a decade before I starting noticing other columnists editorializing against ZT.
Weird News Video #44 — Integrity, Schmegrity
Episode #44: “Define ‘Integrity’?”, from True’s 5 April 2009 issue.
Weird News Video #43 — Wisconsin Hillbilly
Episode #43: “So She’s Loadin’ Up the Truck for a Move to Bev-er-lyyyyy”, from True’s 29 March 2009 issue.
Laugh, or the World Laughs At You
It’s so sad to see how people just can’t take an obvious joke. (Say, like on a site called Jumbo Joke!) There was a political item today, and it resulted in a lot of whining — and protest unsubscribes.
Visiting the White House
I mentioned in my post last week that being in Washington D.C. was “more surreal than usual” because it was election time. Well, imagine being inside the White House just two days before the election! Because indeed, that’s where I was.
Weird News Video #23 — Big Brother
Episode #23: “Big Brother”, from True’s 9 November 2008 issue.
Nice Work If You Can Get It
I got a fascinating letter from a reader about a story that really adds to it. First, the story from the 28 September 2008 issue:
Weird News Video #15 — Little People
Episode #15: “A Politician Voters Deserve” (aka, Ode to the “Little People”), from True’s 14 September 2008 issue.