Poggio Braccolini (1380-1459) Back when I taught ancient rhetoric, I often began our study of Quintilian’s Institutes of Oratory by recounting the story of Poggio Braccolini. Now it may seem odd to contextualize an ancient text by talking about an early modern scholar. So here’s the connection: in the fifteenth century, a few brave [...]
Archive for January, 2012
Review: Stephen Greenblatt’s “The Swerve”
Posted in Ideology and Belief, Religion on January 31, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Well He Just Lost the Academic Vote
Posted in Uncategorized on January 31, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Listening to Nitt’s victory speech (and trying to type this while my chest is being used as a staging platform for attacking a bird cavorting on the porch). Anyhow, Nitt just said something like “Obama can tell his friends in the faculty lounge . . . . “ I guess this works with Rethugs. But [...]
POTUS Meets Otis–As It Really Happened
Posted in Uncategorized on January 27, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Dumber Than a Box Of Rocks
Posted in Uncategorized on January 26, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Chris Matthews asked Trent Franks onto his show to discuss the flap over Brewer’s treatment of the president. Matthews began by asking whether private conversations between politicians weren’t traditionally privileged. Franks obviously didn’t or couldn’t make the connection to Brewer’s tell-all book, wherein she reveals the contents of such a conversation between herself and the [...]
Just Sayin’
Posted in Uncategorized on January 26, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Apparently, reporters who cover the Arizona statehouse refer to the governor as “Otis.”
Oh My Stars and Garters!
Posted in Uncategorized on January 25, 2012 | 2 Comments »
My title recalls the phrase my mother used when she was shocked by someone’s uncivil behavior. Way to go, Brewer–if Obama were not the person he is, your wagging finger would cut Arizona out of any federal largesse that might be coming Arizona’s way for the foreseeable future. Our governor is a ditz. And a [...]
Christianity, Inc.
Posted in Religion on January 24, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Codices from the discoveries at Nag-Hammadi Things I learned while reading L. Michael White’s From Jesus to Christianity: no ancient sources are available from Jesus’ time that concern him or his teachings; furthermore, there are no contemporary court records or even casual reports about Jesus or his teaching with the single exception of a [...]
Payback Is A Mother
Posted in Politics on January 23, 2012 | 1 Comment »
According the talking heads I listen to, the so-called “Republican establishment” (Karl Rove?) is/are tearing their hair over the possibility that Newt might become their candidate. They should be worried: Newt’s unfavorable ratings are sky-high, and he has a 100% recognition rating. That is to say, statistically speaking, all Americans know who he is, and [...]
Castles in the Air
Posted in Nature on January 22, 2012 | 2 Comments »
Clouds, putting their best sides forward the last few mornings before later commencing to rain and snow a bit, with a nice invigorating wind, bringing moisture and sustenance to the land despite being maligned and accused of bad intentions.
Look Out! Cat Crossing!
Posted in Cats on January 19, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
What I’ve remembered about young cats since Inky came to live in my house: Watch where I walk, because he will be right underfoot, risking mashed toes (his, not mine). Watch which doors are open, so he won’t get caught inside a room or, heaven forfend, outside. For the same reason, don’t open windows any [...]
