To Green or Not to Green

I know people are tired of hearing the word ‘green’–a number of my students, for example, have already written about their contempt for people who flaunt their green credentials–but it’s still a mildly useful substitute for “eco-conscious” or “environmentally friendly.” The problem with ‘green,’ I think, is that it’s too easy for corporations to appropriate [...]

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The Bard Redeemed

In the Senior English course I teach, we’re currently reading Hamlet. Teaching Shakespeare is always a challenge. Though I now find his work delightful, I definitely recall struggling with Macbeth and Julius Caesar in high school. The language of the plays, especially the tragedies, is often abstruse even when Shakespeare employs words that remain in [...]

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Bristol Resuscitates McCain?

Addressing the possibility of the Bristol’s marriage to her Baby Daddy prior to Election Day, a McCain insider offered the following analysis according to Time Online: “It would be fantastic. You would have every TV camera there. The entire country would be watching. It would shut down the race for a week.” Clearly shutting down [...]

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Breaking News, Come October

“October Surprises” from the Colbert Report writers: 1. Sarah Palin wins debate using knowledge from Snapple Cap Facts. 2. Bill Clinton endorses Obama. 3. In an effort to appear younger and more hip, John McCain releases a sex ”talkie.” 4. Oak leaves suspend color-turning campaign until financial crisis is resolved. Urge maple leaves to do [...]

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Recycling Schmycling

“Recycling is the failure to reduce and reuse.” – Gary Hirshberg, CEO Stonyfield Farm Many people are so tired of hearing about green this and green that. To them, espousing environmental concerns or suggestions grates the ears, or perhaps consciences, more than George Bush professing to understand the economy. People are simply tired of hearing [...]

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