Category Archives: Culture

Trying to explain the World Cup to Americans

Posted on December 11, 2022 by a1skeptic

Trying to explain either soccer or the World Cup is a pretty thankless task, but I’m going to try to give it one more go. I don’t expect to make a lot of (i.e., no) converts, but maybe generate a … Continue reading →

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Right-wing bloggers thought a student video of Alexandria dancing would damage her credibility.

Posted on January 5, 2019 by a1skeptic

Right wing bloggers and social media types tried to embarrass new Representative-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by unearthing a video in which she and a bunch of other Boston University students dance in an effort to reproduce a scene from the Breakfast … Continue reading →

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Donald Trump really is not like any other President

Posted on January 3, 2019 by a1skeptic

There are, I’m sure, conservatives out there who don’t understand why we (liberals and progressives, etc.) make such a big deal out of Donald Trump. They had to “suffer” through Barack Obama’s eight years as President. So allow me to … Continue reading →

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Why I love the World Cup

Posted on July 13, 2018 by a1skeptic

I realize that trying to convince Americans of the allure of the beautiful game is a fool’s errand. Trying to explain why the rest of humanity loves the World Cup is likewise a path leading to a dead end. I’m … Continue reading →

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WTF, Eric Schneiderman?

Posted on May 11, 2018 by a1skeptic

It came as a bit of shock when, at the beginning of the week, I found out that crusading Attorney General Eric Schneiderman had suddenly resigned from his office because of accusations from four women with whom Schneiderman had had … Continue reading →

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The Fairytale Prisoner that is Melania Trump

Posted on April 24, 2017 by a1skeptic

I came across this the other day, and have to admit that I found it really interesting. It was an article entitled “Fairytale Prisoner by Choice: The Photographic Eye of Melania Trump,”  and it was an attempt to gain a … Continue reading →

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This should be disturbing to anyone who cares about Justice even a little bit

Posted on April 21, 2017 by a1skeptic

I saw this last Sunday on 60 Minutes, and it should be of concern to anyone who cares even just a little bit about justice. Oh I know, a lot of the victims here are criminals. If they didn’t do … Continue reading →

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I’m feeling a little bit of Schadenfreude, not that it will last (or matter)

Posted on April 20, 2017 by a1skeptic

Do you know what the word ‘Schadenfreude‘ means my friends? That’s what I’m feeling this morning with the news that Fox News is cutting ties with Bill O’Reilly. It wasn’t the fact that he was a first class prick or … Continue reading →

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The righteous anger of Tess Rafferty, and the manufactured crisis

Posted on November 29, 2016 by a1skeptic

A few days after the election of Donald J. Trump to be the 45th President of the United States, a woman named Tess Rafferty[1] recorded an incendiary email, a love letter of sorts to the right wing of America. The … Continue reading →

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Arlie Russel Hochschild and the Analogy of Cutting in Line

Posted on October 19, 2016 by a1skeptic

In the last decade there have been a spate of books examining the question of why conservatives so often seem to vote against their own economic interest. “What’s the Matter with Kansas” and “Deer Hunting with Jesus” are excellent examples … Continue reading →

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