archive
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.
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.
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.
Jimmy Hoffa: Still Searching. Still Waiting.
September 29, 2012 "What happened to Jimmy Hoffa?" is one of the great persisting questions of the past generation. The latest tip has lead to a spot under a driveway outside Detroit, in the long search for the former teamster union head.
The Emoticon Turns 30, Seems Happy About It :-)
September 22, 2012 Using three keystrokes to suggest a smile may not be a great scientific advance, but the emoticon has been simple, useful and enduring.
Putin Turns Photo Ops Into Soviet-Style Agitprop
September 15, 2012 The Russian president admitted this week that many of his highly publicized stunts are staged. Critics charge that state-run media may have returned to a time when Russians don't turn to the news for news so much as clues to what people in power expect them to think.
Go On, 'Curate' This Commentary, Too
September 8, 2012 In recent years the word "curate" has been plucked out of museums and pasted onto everything from cosmetics, furniture and fashion lines to recipes, music- and photo-sharing websites and cat videos.
Without A Career, How Do We Know Who We Are?
September 1, 2012 A lot of Americans identify themselves by their work. It used to be a kind of identity stamp, but the economic crisis may have hastened a change that was already under way: more people living with a series of short-term jobs instead of lifetime occupations.
Phyllis Diller: Showing, And Celebrating, Her Age
August 25, 2012 Phyllis Diller, who died at the age of 95 this week, broke down doors in comedy — not just for women, but for the middle-aged.
If Politicians Went On Vacation, We'd All Get A Break
August 18, 2012 NPR's Scott Simon says voters and candidates might benefit if more politicians took real vacations — if they went somewhere, for at least a short time, where no one knows them. Where they don't have to ask for votes, money or spout talking points.
Beyond Trampoline: New Summer Games To Consider
July 28, 2012 The Olympics have a long history of including some games and discarding others. In this accelerated digital age, there are a few new competitions that might be more familiar than trampoline maneuvers like the fliffus.
Blind Sportscaster Bob Greenberg Remembered
July 14, 2012 Bob Greenberg died this week at the age of 67. He was a sportscaster who happened to be blind. When I've told people he's one of the most extraordinary people I've ever worked with, there's usually polite incomprehension: A blind sportscaster?
'Mr.' And 'Ms.,' A Courtesy To Be Respected
July 7, 2012 Over the years, I've come to see good sense in my mother's advice: "If you're always slightly overdressed, you're never underdressed." If you begin with "Mr." or "Ms.," you may offend someone with sharp or silly questions, but not with discourtesy.
'Anti-Cheating Ring' Not Likely To Deter History
June 30, 2012 A wedding ring that proposes to imprint "I'M MARRIED" on a would-be philanderer's finger is sparking a lot of attention — and outrage. I'm merely skeptical.
Behind The 'Model Minority,' An American Struggle
June 23, 2012 The Pew Research Center says Asian-Americans are now the fastest-growing ethnic and immigrant group in the United States. Pew says Asian-Americans also tend to be the most educated and prosperous. But every Asian group here has a different immigration story.
