Category Archives: Commentary

Opinion or analysis concerning whatever’s on my mind.

Photo Worth Several Words

Posted on April 24, 2026 by JMN

Who’s being “honored” in this picture? (Hint: They’re female.) Peekaboo! The University of Georgia women’s tennis team posing with Donald Trump and administration officials. Photograph: Margo Martin on X/Margo Martin on X (@MargoMartin47). [Guardian caption and illustration] (c) 2026 JMN … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | 3 Comments

Art of the Smirk

Posted on April 13, 2026 by JMN

Did your social circles “overlap” with this person’s? (c) 2026 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , | 1 Comment

We See Colors With Our Tongues

Posted on April 5, 2026 by JMN

This is my favorite poster ’til further notice. I see yellow, orange, red, violet, blue, green. What do you see? Jean Widmer was born Hans Ulrich Widmer on March 31, 1929, in Frauenfeld, Switzerland, to Emil Widmer, a master mechanic … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Truth Facial

Posted on April 1, 2026 by JMN

“His lifestyle is very different and kind of intriguing, although it would not work for me.” (Bill Gates  on Jeffrey Epstein) According to his spokesman, Bill Gates was referring to Epstein’s décor. That reminds me, I need to vacuum the … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Quotations | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Android Mountburden-Windsock

Posted on March 26, 2026 by JMN

(Now pointedly referred to by the king… as though he were a distant relation rather than his mother’s much-indulged favorite son)…(Fintan O’Toole) “Alleged” does heavy lifting in criminal matters. Innocent ‘til proven guilty is the ruling standard. The Epstein class … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Bronze Age Vainglory (Re-posted With Correction)

Posted on March 24, 2026 by JMN

[In the original post I used the term “martinets.” I meant to say “myrmidons.” This version corrects that lapse.] “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today…! [etc.]”Say What? Archive Wild beasts of the wilderness, when war breaks into flame, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Bronze Age Vainglory

Posted on March 23, 2026 by JMN

“Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today…! [etc.]”Say What? Archive Wild beasts of the wilderness, when war breaks into flame, follow me from the empty wastes;Follow me, (and) you will see the blood of the foemen streaming between the … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Glimpses and Manias (I’m So All About This Painting)

Posted on February 28, 2026 by JMN

This thumping doodle by Lee Krasner — whatever it is, I like it, not least because it looks like some kind of writing devised by a sensibility going for broke. For that matter it could be the shower tile of … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Degrees, Accolades, Publications, Affiliations (DAPA)

Posted on February 17, 2026 by JMN

DAPA and something about gender orientation and ethnicity are common data points in Poetry’s thumbnail profiles of contributors to the magazine. They’re like snapshots of bodybuilders flexed for pose-off. Musculature duly noted, but here’s what’s truly interesting: How do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Fire in the Casus Belly

Posted on February 1, 2026 by JMN

The Secretary of War and the Commander of War mustered the Brass at the Department of War. First the SOWThen the COWSettled the hashGood and properOf the BrassAt the DOW.B-B-B-BOOM!K-K-K-POW!NOBEL FOR PEACE!N-N-N-NOW! (c) 2025 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

Posted in Anthology, Commentary | Tagged , | 3 Comments