archive
Simon Says
A N.Y. Cop's Good Intentions, Complicated Results
December 8, 2012 After an act of kindness by a New York City cop, Jeffrey Hillman went from being an anonymous, overlooked street person to a public figure whose life was dissected as if he were running for office.
Sweetness And Light
Navel-Gazing: Why Golf Should Embrace Belly Putters
December 5, 2012 In pro golf, oversized clubs and space-age balls have changed the game and altered venerable golf courses. But the honchos who run the sport are more concerned about the trend of golfers' resting a long putter against their belly.
The Salt
Sandwich Monday: The CBO
December 3, 2012 For this week's Sandwich Monday, we try McDonald's new CBO sandwich. CBO stands for "Cheddar, Bacon, Onion," but they have to put an asterisk after "Cheddar," because it's not really cheese. We don't know why they don't have to put an asterisk after "food."
Simon Says
Sexiest Man Alive Gets 'The Onion' Taken Seriously
December 1, 2012 The satirical news source announced that its Sexiest Man Alive for 2012 is Kim Jong Un, North Korea's supreme leader. In some parts of the world, there may be little room to argue.
Sweetness And Light
College Football: Pro and Con(servative) Views
November 28, 2012 College sports fans can be distinctively different from the pro variety, no matter where they are. And that might complicate the growth plans of athletic conferences such as as the Big Ten, says Frank Deford.
Simon Says
Jesse Jackson Jr.: Great Hopes And Disappointments
November 24, 2012 Jesse Jackson Jr. has a famous name and fabulous contacts, and had what looked like boundless prospects when he was first on the national stage in 1988. But this week, he resigned from Congress after his self-hospitalization this summer and an ongoing ethics investigation.
Simon Says
If The Pretzel Chicken Isn't Awesome, Why Review It?
November 17, 2012 In a week in which the news has been filled with a fiscal cliff, rockets, sex and security, a restaurant review also raised a ruckus. New York Times critic Pete Wells took on Food Network star Guy Fieri's new restaurant, but his motives for doing so remain elusive.
Simon Says
Making A Case For Closer Contact In Congress
November 10, 2012 The term "congressional gridlock" suggests that people in Congress at least run into each other. But I've begun to think a more critical problem might be that politicians of opposing parties are almost strangers to one another.
Simon Says
Emergency Workers Heroes Even Before Sandy
November 3, 2012 On Halloween night this week, millions of children tumbled into their neighborhoods dressed as superheroes. But that night, true superheroes were at work in uniforms, not costumes.
Simon Says
WWII Veteran Fought To Cast His Last Vote
October 27, 2012 Japanese-American Frank Tanabe was sent to an internment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Even so, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army and fought for his country. Tanabe's last battle was living long enough to cast one last ballot.
Sweetness And Light
Brooklyn Finally Nets A Team Of Its Own
October 24, 2012 In its long history, Brooklyn has been famous for two sports events: No. 1, having the Dodgers; No. 2, losing the Dodgers. But now Brooklyn has an NBA team, a fancy new arena — and even a floor that may set a new trend.
Simon Says
Beware Election-Year 'Scam PACS'
October 20, 2012 The Center for Responsive Politics says that 942 superPACs have raised more than $403 million during this election season. A beguiling pitch aimed at people eager to contribute to a political campaign can also have some of the makings of a classic con.
Simon Says
The Pirate Prince Of Sealand, Remembered
October 13, 2012 Paddy Roy Bates,the self-proclaimed prince of Sealand, died this week at the age of 91. In 1965, Bates boarded an artillery platform seven miles off the English coast and set up Radio Essex, a "pirate" music station. But he didn't stop there.
Simon Says
Does Voting Early Prompt Hasty Choices?
October 6, 2012 Voting can be a chore, but getting more people to vote by allowing early voting may not be doing the candidates or the electorate any favors.
Sweetness And Light
The NFL's Lesson: There's No Replacing Good Refs
October 3, 2012 Only two groups of people really matter in any game: the players and the officials. That's the lesson the NFL inadvertently taught football fans in the past four weeks, says Frank Deford. At many stadiums, the regular officials were greeted with loud ovations after their lockout ended.
