Russian soldiers have been seen capturing Georgian soldiers and taking American Humvees out of a Black Sea port. This comes after a week of sightings of Russians destroying Georgian equipment in the city.
All posts by Phil
McCain, Solzhenitsyn, and Implicit Admissions
In light of the very interesting interview forum at Saddleback Church last weekend, Dean Barnett talks about a couple accusations the Left are making against McCain. One of them is that McCain tells a personal story which he supposedly lifted from one of our favorite authors, Solzhenitsyn. “This allegation” Barnett writes, “is made of course without any evidence. It’s not like McCain’s fellow soldiers are saying the story is a fabrication.”
Auralia’s Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet
With the sequel to Auralia’s Colors coming in mid-September, I will post an overdue review of Overstreet’s first book. I keep thinking I should give a plot summary up to a point, but I won’t. I’ll give you my original loop the loop review. Perhaps you will find it readable, if not enlightening.
Many will remember that the Bible states “the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil,” but the sacred text goes further than that. “Some by longing for [money] have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10). Change that warning to the love of colorful things, and you have a fair summary of Jeffrey Overstreet’s debut fantasy, Auralia’s Colors.
The people of Abascar live in browns and grays. Many years ago they gave up every bit of color they had to please the Queen, whose idea was to collect and mature the beauty of the kingdom before returning it to the people, royally blessed by her. In this way, the whole kingdom would be glorified over the other kingdoms of the Expanse. But the Queen never returned the promised honor to her people, so anyone making or finding something beautiful is required to give it to the king for storing in the vast royal vault.
Enter an orphan with enchanting spirit and eyes for nature’s color. Continue reading Auralia’s Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet
This Blog is Unbalanced, as It Should Be
A survey of 1,000 likely voters brings a report that almost half of them would be okay with government-mandated balance of opinion on TV and radio. Some even think blogs should be required to balance their stupid opinions.
Oops, there’s a misplaced word in the last sentence. I can’t quite see it now, so I’m afraid you’ll have to screen it out yourself.
Think Your Smart, Punk?
The Washington Post argues the “cognitive fitness market” is more hype than science. “You may get better with practice at matching pictures of ice cream cones or frogs from rapidly changing images or mastering obscure facts about famous people,” writes Beth Baker. “(James Joyce was afraid of dogs.) But whether that translates into brain protection — or confers benefits beyond those offered by square-dancing, eating blueberries or simply yukking it up with friends — is anybody’s guess.”
Cool, but Weird
Breaking News on Jessica Simpson!!
So I’m scanning headlines and I see this one on the topic Lars says will bring us the traffic and recognition we deserve as a serious literary and thoughtful reading blog.
“Jessica Simpson Wants to Be the Next Dolly Parton”
Now, what do you think that means?
Ok, stop thinking about that and get back to Swedish Olympics news. Or closer to home, this news that scientists have concluded drinking several beers really will make other people seem more attractive. Those crazy scientists, they’ll stop at nothing until they get to the verifiable facts.
Sites Undiscovered
I have been away lately. Not physically away, because I am just as close to you as I was before, but I have been away from the blog this week. That is, I’ve been busy–not necessarily fun-busy either. No live sword combats. No book shelf collapses. No visits from brilliant people challenging me to get off my b—. Just busy with non-blog things.
Today I notice that Brandywine Books has been overlooked again for the top 100 list of undiscovered websites, organized by PC Magazine. It may be because we aren’t cool enough, but it more likely that we have been deemed not entirely undiscovered. We’re mostly discovered. Perhaps pre-discoverable. Of course, it’s also possible that we rank 101 on the top 100 list.
Maybe I should have reviewed those Harry Potter books after all.
McCain Speaks Before Congress
It’s a cheap joke, I suppose, but I’m still laughing.
Let Them Wear Kilts
A man of Finnish and Norwegian descent wants “U.S. Postal Service to add kilts as a uniform option for men.” He says the current uniform chafes. He said, “there are plenty of approved uniform items that very few mail carriers wear, including a cardigan sweater, vest and pith helmet.”