[Note: I wrote this piece for another site, but since it doesn't seem to be being published there I'm putting it here. It's intended as a bit of a companion piece to my most recent 'Federalist' article]. I’ve heard some people talking about the recent student march in Washington saying things like “it’s really a … Continue reading Anti-Gun is not Pro-Life
Musings
The Two Thieves
All four Gospels note that Christ was crucified along with two others. These two are described as ‘thieve’ or ‘robbers,’ though this is sometimes rendered ‘revolutionaries’ or simply ‘criminals.’ One was crucified on His right, the other on His left. Viewed from a modern perspective, the designation of right and left is a little interesting, … Continue reading The Two Thieves
New Federalist Article
...With a title that doesn't really match the point. I didn't want so much to make a simple 'abortion kills more people than guns' argument, but to point out how fundamentally different the two positions - pro-life and pro-gun control - really are. Oh, well: go check it out for yourself Sample: Of course the … Continue reading New Federalist Article
What’s Wrong with ‘Victoria’
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been watching Masterpiece’s Victoria. I really love the Victorian era as a historical period, so I ought to love this. But I don’t. It’s not…bad, but it’s not very good either. The actors are good and very well-cast in general, the characters are mostly fairly enjoyable (I especially like the … Continue reading What’s Wrong with ‘Victoria’
Another Quick 1950s Thought
I'm a little amazed that no one seems to remember that the most popular and influential television show of the 1950s centered around an interracial couple: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Or does that not count? If so, are Cubans considered 'white' now? Then I guess Hispanics don't count for 'diversity' purposes, right? You know, … Continue reading Another Quick 1950s Thought
Brief Thoughts on ‘Duck and Cover’
Being the 1950s aficionado that I am, I can't help noticing some, to me, odd things about our subsequent perspective on the era. Briefly, there's a strange, vitriolic hatred for the time period that leads people to characterize it in a way that really doesn't fit what I see myself in relics from the era. … Continue reading Brief Thoughts on ‘Duck and Cover’
Establishing Morality
In addition to establishing setting, character, and plot, it is important, when writing a story, to establish morality. That is, to make sure the audience will consider your protagonists to be on the right side and your antagonists on the wrong. It needs to feel that the protagonists deserve to win. Obviously, this is not … Continue reading Establishing Morality
Thought
There comes a point where, if your arguments are true, they disprove your position as thoroughly as if they weren't. For instance, you sometimes hear socialists claiming that 'real' socialism has never been implemented, meaning that the track record of Marxist politics shouldn't be taken as an indictment of the idea itself. But if that's … Continue reading Thought
Doofenshmirtz and Identity Politics
Phineas and Ferb is one of those shows that, though simple on the surface, lends itself to endless fascinating interpretations. Like so many great works of fiction, it tells the truth merely by trying to tell a good story. One of the chief themes of the show is the balance between childhood and maturity: Phineas … Continue reading Doofenshmirtz and Identity Politics
Mission Marvel and Legit Heroes
On the subject of genuine heroics, allow me to present Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel, a crossover special where the Phineas and Ferb cast meet a bunch of Marvel characters. Now, this sounds like it wouldn’t work; goofy surreal kid’s show meets semi-serious comic book heroes. And it’s not perfect, or even one of the … Continue reading Mission Marvel and Legit Heroes
Serpent's Den 