Category Archives: Commentary

Opinion or analysis concerning whatever’s on my mind.

Disquieting Skein

Posted on August 8, 2019 by JMN

It has dawned on me in the last few days that the model of government from above visited upon the yielding heads of the governed by an all-powerful executive comports somewhat with what I take to be certain tenets of … Continue reading →

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Ascribe It to Editing Lapse

Posted on August 8, 2019 by JMN

Domestic terrorism includes violence by Americans who belong to anti-government militias, white supremacist groups or individuals who ascribe to similar ideologies not connected to Islamic extremism. (Frank Figliuzzi, “I Predicted More Hate-Based Violence. El Paso Won’t Be the End of … Continue reading →

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Fashion Landscape

Posted on August 6, 2019 by JMN

Down to the details — jeweled buttons, transparent blouses and velvet trims among them — these fashions subvert gender lines. (“Fall Fashion: The New Androgyny,” NYTimes, 8-5-19) (c) 2019 JMN

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Ouch!

Posted on August 6, 2019 by JMN

“Our problem was what laid underneath all that: the way things really were, despite what we taught in civics class.” (James Comey, “Mr. President, Please Take a Stand Against Racism,” NYTimes, 8-4-19) No disrespect to Mr. Comey, but what lay … Continue reading →

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Today’s Useful Moral

Posted on August 6, 2019 by JMN

If you want a clear answer, ask a clear question. Adapted from Steven Strogatz, “That Vexing Math Equation? Here’s an Addition,” NYTimes, 8- 5-19) Strogatz reprises an online debate about the answer to this equation: 8 ÷ 2(2+2) = ? … Continue reading →

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Morbid Rumination

Posted on August 6, 2019 by JMN

The violence that erupts continually in an “advanced” country has trapped me in a morbid rumination that has two horns. First: Given our pervasive gun culture, along with the persistence of capital punishment as a remedy-at-law, why is the firing … Continue reading →

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Feminine Manet

Posted on August 4, 2019 by JMN

My favorite touch on this painting is the mauve-against-yellow bonnet garnish — purple-yellow adjacencies enthuse me. Otherwise, the mannequin with the bee-sting pucker and doe-stupid gaze is both masterful and tiresome. Jason Farago writes about the exhibition “Manet and Modern … Continue reading →

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Weaponized Food

Posted on August 4, 2019 by JMN

“Food is constantly implicated in economic and political processes, as well as in social and historical processes… Because of the recent events in the Middle East, even something as innocent looking as a ground chickpea ball can be used as … Continue reading →

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“Auntie Colours”

Posted on August 4, 2019 by JMN

The influence of fashion and grooming on art (and vice versa?) is of great interest to me. The mention of Sonia Delaunay brings back pleasant memories of being thrilled at a receptive age by her work and that of her … Continue reading →

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“Like Meditation or Dancing”

Posted on August 4, 2019 by JMN

This year-old piece from The Guardian has some charming, free-and-easy-seeming sketching that I would dearly love to be able to pull off myself. Earlier this month, London-based artist Joey Yu headed to Field Day, a two-day music festival held in … Continue reading →

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