“Homage to Luxenben” now available as an e-book
My apologies. This twelvth issue of the Writer’s Notebook has been delayed for a few weeks because I have been preoccupied with polishing the manuscript and processing it for publication. As a result of these efforts, I am pleased to announce that “Homage to Luxenben” may now be purchased as an e-book on Amazon’s KINDLE and Barnes and Noble’s NOOK. Those who have neither of these devices may download the book in epub format directly... [Read More...]
Painless Solution to Greek Crisis
The solutions to Greece’s financial dilemma are typically framed as a black-and-white choice between the country’s continued dependence on the euro or abandoning it in favor of the drachma. Sadly neither choice seems to offer much encouragement. Even their respective advocates accompany their analyses with any number of dire, and all too credible, predictions that following the other choice would lead to even worse consequences. Austerity,... [Read More...]
Man Bites Dog: Obama Bashes Teachers
Well, perhaps not in so many words. But certainly for all intents and purposes. It happened a few months ago (his remarks may have somewhat preceded my notes of July 5) when he noted that for every non-technical job opening there were at least four applicants and went on to observe that the situation was reversed in the technical job market—that is to say, four job openings for every qualified applicant. Without having seen a video of the... [Read More...]
Occupying Terra Incognita
The movement that originated as “Occupy Wall Street” has spread to several places around the globe, but thus far has not dared to venture into what is for it, the forbidding terra incognita—that is to say, the land of reality. There is no question but that the knuckleheaded demonstrators have a legitimate gripe. One only wishes they had a clue as to the source of their problems. This essay, therefore, is meant as a guide for those protestors... [Read More...]
Winning the War on Terrorism
WINNING THE WAR ON TERROR “…the ten years since Sept. 11 have been the longest period without a major terrorist attack on the United States since the 1960’s. That success, however, has not come cheaply. The conflict in Afghanistan is now the longest military engagement in American history. More than 6,000 service members have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and upwards of 40,000 seriously wounded. The Congressional Research Service... [Read More...]
Forecast: Moderate Chance for Rockslides
The distinguished essayist, John McPhee, in his 1990 book, “The Control of Nature,” takes up a number of local situations in which mankind has attempted to thwart natural forces with less than singular success. In one case, he covers the efforts by the City of Los Angeles to protect homeowners from rockslides in the rugged San Gabriel Mountains. To hold back the rock, the city has built tiers of strategically-located catch basins each designed... [Read More...]
Barach Obama and the Cherry Tree
One day when Barack was six years old, his father, Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., came into the house. He was very angry. “Somebody chopped down the cherry tree that I was very fond of. Do you know who did it?” he asked his son. “No,” said the boy, “but I’ll find out.” Barack sat down in front of his little toy screen and studied it for a minute. “Now I know,” he exclaimed. “It was the rich kid down the block.” Upon hearing... [Read More...]
Czechmate
The few days I spent in Prague this summer were delightful. It was a fascinating city to visit, populated by friendly people and well provided with good food and reasonable accommodations. As a dutiful tourist, I visited as many of the expected places as time allowed, took lots of pictures, and made a point of trying as many recommended beers as feasible. In short, my Prague experience was altogether commonplace. Save for a singular encounter... [Read More...]
Episode 11, “Homage to Luxenben”
Verifying Neuman’s location the next morning took only a call to Research’s front desk. Its cooperative receptionist informed me that, although Neuman was indeed quartered in the institution, there was no way of contacting him directly. She would, however, be happy to leave a message with his case worker, Mr. Mulhouse who would return my call shortly. And, in fact, within the hour Mulhouse phoned. Yes, a meeting with Mr. Neuman could be... [Read More...]
Episode 10 of “Homage to Luxenben”
As we filed out of the amphitheater, I noticed that the scattered patches of fog that floated across the park grounds had enveloped the moon in a bright halo. This astronomical observation somehow brought to mind one that Matty had made earlier that evening—her colorful description of the Semi whose head, viewed from above, resembled an eclipse. Then all of sudden it came to me. “Neuman,” I told her excitedly. “I know how we can find... [Read More...]