Tag Archives: rhetoric

Tofu vs. Jerky

Posted on October 23, 2019 by JMN

Cheryl Thompson has a salutary take on bromides about the “strength of diversity” that are jawboned from various bully pulpits. Diversity is also tough, challenging and sometimes outright frustrating because it requires listening, being open to what you don’t know, … Continue reading →

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Clearing Up His Confusion

Posted on October 20, 2019 by JMN

The following are LeBron James’s words. They show why some professional athletes may not be the best role models for young people. “I believe [Daryl Morey] wasn’t educated on the situation at hand, and he spoke. So many people could … Continue reading →

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Doubts Allowed

Posted on October 20, 2019 by JMN

As a bicycle enthusiast I relish Father John’s simile. At Great St. Bernard Pass, the high point of the Via Francigena, at 8,114 feet, I was fascinated by a priest of 40 years who still struggled with his faith. “Doubts … Continue reading →

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No Speculation, Please

Posted on October 11, 2019 by JMN

The mayor of Dallas has urged people to avoid speculation after a key witness in the murder trial of the police officer Amber Guyger was shot dead, days after the officer’s conviction and sentencing. “Amber Guyger case: mayor says to … Continue reading →

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The Critic Almost Ran Out of Praise

Posted on October 11, 2019 by JMN

Here’s a review of Nick Cave’s album “Ghosteen” that has a left-handed conclusion. On one level, it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s as good as it is: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have been in a career-high purple patch … Continue reading →

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When Is Kill Not “Over”?

Posted on September 15, 2019 by JMN

The illustration made me read this essay by Michelle Goldberg (“Margaret Atwood’s Dystopia, and Ours,” NYTimes, 9-14-19). On first glance, the picture’s Dairy Queen Blizzard ™ of cartoon imagery made me grumpy. Whatever it purports to symbolize, I thought, this … Continue reading →

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The World We Mustn’t Live In

Posted on August 29, 2019 by JMN

Two thoughts slam me at once. They can’t be correlated, but mustn’t they? The first thought is that we live in a tired, busy world; a world of busy tiredness; a world of tired busyness. Such is our world: tired … Continue reading →

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Duking It Out With Regret

Posted on August 25, 2019 by JMN

“I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release… I can only reiterate my regret… I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently not … Continue reading →

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Please God, Net It Out!

Posted on August 23, 2019 by JMN

I’ve read “Ulysses,” “War and Peace,” some of Henry James and most of Faulkner — but not recently. I’m aware I’ve just bragged, and I’m ashamed of it in a manner of speaking. These four writers aren’t known for netting … Continue reading →

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Cedric Benson (1982-2019)

Posted on August 20, 2019 by JMN

The death of a man in his young prime, and of his passenger on the motorcycle, is an unmixed tragedy. I have nothing but respect and condolence for all who mourn the cruel loss of these two lives. What strikes … Continue reading →

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