In advance of International Day Against Homophobia this Friday (5/17) watch ‘The Riddle’ a new anti-homophobia message from UN human rights office.
Books aren’t all supposed to be our best friends. Sometimes they’re supposed to be that difficult friend who encourages us to do things that we don’t feel are rational or grown-up.
“The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations.” ― Thomas Jefferson
On April 18, at noon, journalist M. Stanton Evans examines how Stalin’s Soviet intelligence networks infiltrated the American government during World War II. (You can also watch live on Ustream.)
Evans uses primary sources and formerly secret records to provide a riveting account of the widespread spy network.
A book signing will follow the program. The program is free and open to the public. Enter the National Archives building through the Special events entrance on Constitution Ave.
Politics aside, Russell Brand’s essay about Margaret Thatcher in The Guardian is a wonderful, thoughtful and imminently readable piece of writing. After encountering the late former British P.M. watering flowers in a public garden, he reflects back on growing up under Thatcher’s government. I have had no particular feelings one way or the other about Russell Brand before reading this. Now, however, Russell Brand: count me a new fan. One among likely many, many new fans.
Perhaps my early apathy and indifference are a result of what Thatcher deliberately engendered, the idea that “there is no such thing as society”, that we are alone on our journey through life, solitary atoms of consciousness. Or perhaps it was just because I was a little kid and more interested in them Weetabix skinheads, Roland Rat and Knight Rider. Either way, I’m an adult now and none of those things are on telly any more so there’s no excuse for apathy.
Here is a 2009 FA interview with him which I am going to go listen to later.
