Douglas Murray is arguably one of the sharpest observers of the contemporary world. He’s a worthy successor to the late Christopher Hitchens (whom he knew very well.) Every piece that flows out of his pen is brilliant. He is a prolific writer and commentator. He wrote his first book at the tender age of 18; … Continue reading “China and the US”
I confess that I have strong likes and dislikes in almost everything — concrete or abstract. That goes for people as well. Of course, I have my economist heroes — Hayek, Buchanan, Friedman, et al — and anti-heroes (who shall remain unnamed.) Among politicians, my greatest hero was Lee Kuan Yew and the greatest villain … Continue reading “Stephen Fry”
I love a good debate, and naturally so because I am the argumentative kind. Most of all, I like debates centered around religion.. The line dividing the opposing sides is sharp, and the positions irreconcilable. I delight in the skewering that monotheism takes in them. A superb example of that is the intelligence2 debate in … Continue reading “The Catholic Church is Force for Good in the World”
I confess that I am a youtube glutton. If ever there was a reason for my lack of progress at work, it’s youtube. But as they say, wasting time doing what is fun is not a waste of time. There are hundreds of topics that interest me, and scores of amazing people whose videos I … Continue reading “A Bit of Fry”
Visiting India for even a short while reminds me of a favorite quote from Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784). In his 1775 work Taxation No Tyranny he pointed out the terrible hypocrisy of the American leaders who were fighting for their freedom from the British. Johnson asked, “How is it that we hear the loudest yelps … Continue reading “Friends of Poverty, not the Poor”
I listen to public radio quite regularly for some excellent programs such as Fresh Air, This American Life from WBEZ Chicago, the Commonwealth Club of California, and many many more. I love public radio but as I am not a news junkie, I avoid news programs. However, at the top of the hour, many programs … Continue reading “No True Islamic State”
Here’s a list of pages that deal with the “Mother” Teresa. These pages don’t show up in the category “Mother Teresa” — hence this post. Teresa: Ghoul of Calcutta by Hitchens. Sunanda Datta-Ray: “Driven by Self-interest”. Shields: “Teresa’s House of Illusions” Kanchan Gupta: “A State Funeral?” Wuellenweber: “Mother Teresa: Where are her millions”? Hitchen’s Interview: … Continue reading “List of Pages on Teresa the Merciless”
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, comrades and friends. (Hitchens favored that greeting at many public events.) Sorry for the relative silence around here. Things are in a mess. But there’s hope. Anyway, do leave a comment with your thoughts. I just want to point out a 2008 blog post, “Blaming the Victim“. Comments are … Continue reading “Open Thread: Say what you will”
In a previous post, “Where to be Born,” I had written “There’s something toxic about the Indian subcontinent. (Hint: it has something to do with a desert religion.)” Addressing that point, Vickram commented —
Shri Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as the “mahatma,” was born on this day October 2nd in 1869. Popular opinion associates Gandhi with non-violence. I differ. I believe that poverty engenders more violence against innocent humans than any other single cause or condition. Perhaps he genuinely was against violence but what Gandhi achieved resulted in … Continue reading “Happy Gandhi Jayanti”
Life is a Random Draw 