Harpers Magazine included an excerpt in its January 2018 issue from Virginia Eubanks’ book Automating Inequality, just published by St. Martin’s Press. According to Eubanks, government officials, using sophisticated computer technology, are now able to routinely ensnare poor people in the digital equivalent of the poorhouse of yore by tracking them down, monitoring them, stereotyping... Continue Reading →
Damning the Poor
It’s not enough to be poor, you have to be damned and punished by the saved.
Thanks to Goodreads Community
I would like to thank the Goodreads Community and the four hundred and sixty or so members who participated in my book giveaway program that ended last Saturday. I have sent out signed copies of "Abdication: God Steps Down for Good" to the ten winners. One of these copies went to Perth, Australia, another to... Continue Reading →
Preface to Abdication: God Steps Down for Good
A week ago in this blog the publication of Abdication: God Steps Down for Good was announced, accompanied by the book description that appears on its cover. I am today posting the Preface to the book. It provides a fuller summary of the book, its spirit, and some thoughts on the experience of writing it. I should note that the... Continue Reading →
Abdication: God Steps Down for Good – Provocative New Book
As readers know, I have left this Blog fallow for quite some time while I worked on a book. I am happy to say that the book is completed. It has just been published bf Friesen Press of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The book is entitled: Abdication God Steps Down for Good The book is available... Continue Reading →
Steely Dan and Accelerated Technological Change
Living entails an ever-accelerating mastery of new technology, and nothing much is needed to accomplish the feat. No soulful reflection, willpower, or guts are required to obtain the learning. For example, we were given a Wii game center twenty months ago, an Apple Ipad2 ten months ago, and a one-month Netflix trial, for $7.99, 8... Continue Reading →
Florida Hospital Flagler, Revisited
Ever since the publication of Tour of Two Flagler Hospitals, Florida in this Blog (2/17/2012), I have felt some unease about my unflattering portrayal of Flagler Hospital in Palm Coast, Florida. It couldn’t be that bad, could it? My encounter was after all only one among hundreds and thousands of patient-encounters weekly and yearly at... Continue Reading →
Iraq War: Out With a Whisper
Earlier this month, Edward Wasserman, Knight Foundation Professor of Journalism at Washington and Lee University and writer for the McClatchy Newspapers, published the most important piece of analysis I have read in the New Year. The article appeared in the Maine Sunday Telegram under the evocative heading, Media AWOl in Exposing Iraq War's Many Follies.... Continue Reading →
Occupy Movement Befriended: Unsolicited Advice
Most of the people I know are among the "99 percent" in the totem pole of national wealth, and wish the Occupy Movement well. Only one has actually spent time at an Occupy site. Another has said, "She might." Most others, myself included, expect to stay at home. Some are emphatic on that point. They... Continue Reading →
Bright New Idea: Drug Test Welfare Clients
Paul LePage, the Republican Governor of Maine and a Tea Party enthusiast, offered an exciting new idea last week: drug test applicants for welfare. Use drugs and no financial assistance. How cool is that, and this to be done randomly with little cost to the taxpayer. Why hasn't anyone thought of that before, I asked... Continue Reading →