Writing
Independent and third-party politicians could ease gridlock
In the alternative universe of politics, Capitol Hill should be preparing to greet Matt Funiciello, who on paper and in deed was well-positioned to have won an open House seat in upstate New York. Funiciello was endorsed by the local newspapers, widely acclaimed as being the most in touch with voters, the only one whoRead moreThe Winds of Independence can be a blowhard sometimes. A look at independent hopefuls Scotland, Kurdistan, Catalonia
One of the most certain things you can count on in the world of international relations is that almost every year, some group of people, some sector of geography, some suddenly wealthy enclave, will want to declare independence from its current nation-state and become the world’s newest entity. Today we are witnessing two vibrant examplesRead moreMarco on the Mound
May 2014 The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the feisty Twins that day: The score stood up by one run, with one inning more to play, And then when one A player got to first, and a second did the same, A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game. A straggling fewRead moreVenus and Martina will play together
A very exciting possibiliy. Nice to still get scoops ! Once again, the Washington Kastles – reigning champions of WorldTeam Tennis and owner of the longest unbeaten streak in major league sports – are teasing history. http://www.10sballs.com/2014/03/12/world-team-tennis-hingis-and-venus-as-teammates/Read moreTwo strikes and out
The U.N diplomat running the Syria peace talks in Geneva declared them over after two sessions. U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi felt the need to apologize to the Syrian people, saying he was “very, very sorry” that, despite two rounds of talks, “we haven’t done very much,” he told CNN and other media. Brahimi told CNNRead more2014 World Team tennis preview
World TeamTennis season only five months away — here is a preview: http://www.10sballs.com/2014/02/13/mylan-world-team-tennis-review-roddick-hingis-querrey-azeranka-playing/Read moreThe Old Geezer Visits Just in Time
As always, my friend the Old Geezer comes to explain the year to me – and perhaps help some of those in my world understand me better (ha not likely) or at least see the world in some different ways: It is always reflective and calm in the Cathedral of St. Matthew. It mayRead moreObama’s Foreign Policy Poker Face
(U.S. News and World Report) By the end of week two, students taking the course “Navigating the Checkpoints in Life” at Washington and Jefferson College are happily grasping just how the “the rules of the bluff” work. You can see it in their eyes and smiles. They beam with appreciation of this new knowledge. TheyRead moreTug of War
This week brings a watershed moment for Eastern European democracy. (U.S. News) Miroslav Lajcak, Slovakia’s deputy prime minister, remembers all too clearly the undiplomatic characterization of his newly independent nation by then-Secretary of State Madeline Albright. “It is a black hole,” she sniffed, explaining why she thought Slovakia was not ready for admittance to NATORead moreWinter Brings Polio to Syria
Refugees in Syria face a humanitarian crisis with the outbreak of disease. (U.S. News) We see the explosions from the artillery shells. There are photos of charred or bullet ridden bodies, crying children and cowering civilians. These are the faces of war that are easily captured and conveyed, and they tell a lot. What isRead moreAnd in this corner of Europe…
The Catalans are upset and, depending on whom you speak with, have been upset since being defeated by the Spanish monarchy in 1714. Now, almost three hundred years later, they are doing what many other ethnic groups throughout Europe aspire – holding a vote to become independent. Or at least show support to be independent becauseRead moreIt’s almost the same old story….
It is a shame that Vladimir Putin could not acquire the girth of predecessor Boris Yeltsin. Then it would make it even more appropriate that he is channeling the role of Senior Ferrari in the real life Syria-version of the film Casablanca. In Casablanca, robust Sydney Greenstreet deftly played Senior Ferrari. His character was the proudly self-proclaimedRead more