Leave Dr. Seuss Alone

I'd tell you why I'm not taking the kids to see the new Seuss movie, but I'd rather let Dr. Seuss tell you himself.

admiring feelings of a gentle lady

I am soliciting suggestions for a neologism to describe that poetry that comes of a bad translation on the label from an Asian consumer product. Example, my very favorite confection in the worl is Muscat Gummy, brought to World Market by Kasugai, and described thus, "Its translucent color so alluring and taste and aroma so gentle and mellow offer admiring feelings of a graceful lady."

Zimbabwe

"Algeria, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Dominica, Egypt, France, the Gambia, Hungary, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Libya and Mongolia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Suriname, Turkey, Uruguay, Vietnam, West Xylophone, Yemen, Zimbabwe"
-They Might Be Giants, "Alphabet of Nations"

I've never experienced this phenomenon before, because Zimbabwe is not often in the news. But lately, that last triumphant "Zimbabwe-e-eh" from "Alphabet of Nations," has been ringing in my ears.

Zimbabwe will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the locus of my last and greatest overseas adventure. It was the summer of 1992. I had left a relationship suspended right at the thrilling uncertain moment just before it is declared. Thus ensued an epistolary courthsip the likes of which may never be seen again in this cyber-world.

The world was likewise suspended. Just across the border, Mandela had been released, but what then?

Even more, I saw Zimbabwe at its zenith, in the company of expat Black Americans who everywhere we went were exclaiming how much improved everything was. Nkosi Sikeleli was a low hum heard everywhere. The fierce revolutionary pride was palpable.

In Victoria Falls, I ran into George Drake, recently retired from the presidency of Grinnell College. And why should I be surprised? It seemed like the center of the world.

That's how I want to remember it. It tears me up to see Mugabe gone mad and the farms lying fallow and the Zim dollar not worth the paper it's printed on. But I didn't dare hope that the people could defeat Mugabe. Now I dare.

It reminds me of Joseph Asagai, the African intellectual in "A Raisin in the Sun", who even in expressing his hopes for his country, and for his own role in bringing about the revolution there, includes a premonition of his eventual corruption, and wishes that a future patriot will slit his throat in the night.

Food Court Musical

This brilliant number asks the musical question, "Can I get a napkin?" How I wish we'd thought of it when I was in theater at school.

Wiggedy wiggedy wiggedy

Your DJ Name Is:

DJ Master Squirrel

What's Your DJ Name?

Expelled!

Have you seen what that Ben Stein's been up to lately? What is THAT about? I will leave the recitation of the arguments against creationism to more able minds, such as that of my dear friend Glenden Brown.

I will only add that it does seem right-wing academics very much enjoy feeling that they are a persecuted minority and especially like the parts where they get to liken themselves to Martin Luther King.

MLK! I've just finished watching "Boycott", so you'll have to forgive me for being a little touchy on the subject. (Darn fine movie, that, but a little trippy.)

I propose a corollary to Godwin's Rule of Nazi Analogies that states that as a right-wing screed grows longer, the probability of a comparison with Martin Luther King approaches one.