Inside Chernobyl: those who stayed
"Inside Chernobyl," an exhibition by photographer and Fulbright scholar Michael Forster Rothbart, recently made its debut in Kyiv, and will be making its way to such places as Moscow and Washington...
Month: April 2009
What’s it all about, Arlen?
Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, one of the three Republicans who compromised on Obama's stimulus bill, has decided that he's no longer a Republican. When Minnesota finally gets Al Franken seated,...
More Than Just Race: a review
Some people describe 2008 as "the year of African-Americans," due to Barack Obama's successful bid to become the first black American President. However, could his success be used as an example of...
The Purity Myth: a review
The Purity Myth (Avalon, 2009) was written by Jessica Valenti of the feminist blog Feministing. It seeks to explore the issue of virginity as obsession and comment on how said obsession is ultimately...
Torture – debated
They call it a “debate” like there's anything to debate. As if international law and Dick Cheney's snarling are both equally valid. As if torture “working” makes it defensible. Despite the...
On the 10th anniversary of Kubrick’s passing: “Paths of Glory”
The previous installment of the Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999) retrospective discusses "Barry Lyndon." "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." Kirk Douglas’ Colonel Dax recites Samuel...
Alberta delists sex reassignment surgery
Since Tommy Douglas fought valiantly for the right of universal health care, Canadians have been blessed to know that in times of illness our medical needs would be covered by the state. Universal...
Torture – declassified
“Shocks the conscience.” That's the test that Steven G. Bradbury, acting head of the Office of Legal Counsel in Bush's Justice department used to decide whether or not an “enhanced...
Charlotte Roche’s Wetlands: a review
This is a review of Wetlands by Charlotte Roche, with translator Tim Mohr (Fourth Estate Ltd., 2009). Please note that in keeping with the subject matter, this review contains graphic language. If...
The Damned, In the Heart of Ice
"The Damned, To the South" is the previous installment of Chloe Bradshaw's saga. I remember Antarctica as a desolate place, and also the most beautiful. The sun shines down upon the five of us as we...