Category: American
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Take Your Advice From People Who Know
I regularly get political opinions about America from someone who has never been there. I also hear artistic judgement of historic images from people who have never seen the originals. In both cases I feel we can regard the judgement as valueless. However this doesn’t mean that the people cannot state fact or truth. You…
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If It Wouldn’t Fly With…
George Washington, Tom Paine, or Benjamin Franklin… It doesn’t fly with me. And that includes the opinions of most of the politicians in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. Not confident of Fiji or Ghana, either… I have few principles, yet those I do hold, I cling to fiercely: gentlemanly behaviour, rational thought, and…
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There Must Be Some Middle Ground
Between Shirley Temple and Johnny Rotten. I have seen them both on-screen but find them to be unconvincing. Whether they are products of Disney or Michael Moore is uncertain, but I do not intend to live my life according to their principles. This is also the case when I contemplate North American political affairs, as…
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The Solar Eclipse
All gone. It will be back, though, and people will make a fuss about it again. Money will be spent to travel to the expected pathway, and people will go to extraordinary lengths to experience it. Despite being told not to look at it, people will look at it. Eyes will be harmed, and some…
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Remember To Vote For A Billionaire
You may not be able to choose which one you want to rob you for the next few years, but do the decent thing and show up at the polls anyway. It looks bad if all the ballot papers are just rubber stamped. Of course your thoughts and prayers will be heard. That goes without…
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How To Play A Public Record
And get it sounding just right… a. Turntable. If you have ever recorded an LP or 45 single, gather as many copies as you can from the stores and second-hand markets. Then either distribute or destroy them. Once they are all accounted for you can consider whether to sing again. b. Court and Police files…
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‘Tis A Gift To Be Simple
We are told. And a gift to be free. Then we are urged to come down where we ought to be. Nice tune. But you have to remember that the person singing it has decided how far down you should come. You are not to choose what that involves…the song lets you think it will…
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Franklin And Washington’s Kitchen
In case you were wondering, I do not think that George Washington and Benjamin Franklin ever owned a diner on Highway 101. You would not have been able to get chili and burgers in between Philadelphia and Boston served by a girl on roller skates. What George and Ben did have was a good attitude…
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The Simplest Of Catering
Is what? Bread and water? That’s always been considered a punishment designed to break the spirit of criminals. Would it break yours? Only if you were faced with the sight of other people eating a far greater quantity and variety of food. Even if it was unappetising, the variety alone would make it appealing. I…