Politics

I've got this ex-boyfriend who used to steal money out of my wallet and, when I caught him, used to tell me it was my fault, because he asked me for it but I said no.

And he was telling the truth. He would sometimes ask me for money and I would say no. Because I knew what he wanted it for (we won't go into that now, but you can have your little theories).

There were also times when he didn't ask me. He just took it.

At those times, his excuse would be that he knew that if he asked me, I would say no, so he had no choice. He had to go ahead and just take it. So it was my fault. Read more about The Ex

I'm short on time, and I'm sick to death of the Tea Party. Ted Cruz bears an uncanny resemblance to Tail-Gunner Joe. And just yesterday my broker and I (yes, I have a broker. He's trying to make my pittance stretch enough to keep me off dog food in my old age.) had a conversation about knowing when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em if the world economy goes nova on October 17. Read more about Ditto

When people speak of the fall of Rome, they're usually referring to the fall of the Roman Empire. I've been thinking lately about the fall of the Roman Republic. Which occurred a little earlier. Read more about Et tu, America?

No one would take Vladimir Putin for a god except, quite possibly, Vladimir Putin himself, but he's currently playing one on TV. Rising inexplicably over the horizon, with all the timeliness of Delios rescuing the murderous Medea from the wrath of Jason, it seems he may be about to rescue the murderous Bashar al-Assad from the wrath of the United States military. Read more about Deus ex Machina

Yesterday, when I met my friend Brian at the University Bookstore Cafe, I plopped my pastry and chai on the table, sat down, and said, "Good morning. What should we do about Syria?"

"Drop a bomb on top of Assad," he said, with a genial smile. Brian is an unsentimental sort. Read more about Kris-Chrossed

By now we've all probably heard of Jim Porter, the new president of the N.R.A. and his interpretation of the War of Northern Aggression. Porter also reveals that—so far as he is concerned—the NRA’s purpose should be to train us all in the use of military weapons for wars both home and abroad. Read more about Trouble Ahead

This piece in today's New York Times reminded me forcibly of Alaa Al-Aswany's novel, , which I reviewed here a year or so ago. Read more about Making Sense

That is the message of Matthew 5:44. " love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Read more about Love Your Enemy

1. The English word god is the Lord Thy God. He is a he. Thou shalt not call Him by any other name.

2. Thou shalt not make any graven images of Me that look funny.

3. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, by which is meant actual prayer.

4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it wholly devoted to sports.

5. Honor thy father and mother. Send them (to the) home.

6. Thou shalt not kill except with an AR15 assault rifle

7. Thou shalt not commit adult behavior.

8. Thou shalt not steal unless thou art a multi-national corporation. Read more about The Snarky Commandments

I promised some folks in a Facebook group that I would provide my take on Obama and the drones - indeed, Obama and things military and national security in general. And here it is. Short and sweet.

He's a Democrat and he's black.

I don't think I need to spell out what being a Democrat might have to do with thinking one must be tougher than the average bear on national security. Just remember who went to China. Read more about Droning On and On