Culture
Two stories on one page of the Philadelphia Inquirer led me to question my sanity. Wait — actually the sanity of America, because these two stories simply could not have existed through most of the long span of my life. In one, the Perkiomen Valley school board is struggling to come
Culture
Here is a recent, and revolting, development in Elkins Park. The Inquirer is reporting on a memorial to the Nazi SS, specifically the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the Schutzstaffel, on the grounds of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. The SS was the worst of the worst, and the
Culture
I tossed some paper into the wastebasket basket under my desk, and was startled by a whiffft. What? It was a small rust-colored flash that bolted from the basket to the floor, and zipped under the sofa. Jesus Christ! I shouted silently. A roach! A waterbug! Yaaaaaughh. Yep — I skeeve.
Culture
A group of Native Americans have hit the warpath — figuratively, and no insult intended — asking the Washington NFL franchise to restore the name Redskins. The group is the Native Americans Guardians Association, which describes itself as a nonprofit “advocating for increased education about Native Americans, especially in public educational institutions,
Culture
By Johnathan Zimmerman In the 1950s, the greatest threat to American freedom was the attack on communists and their so-called fellow travelers in government, academia, and the arts. Led by a firebrand senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy, the anti-communist campaign destroyed countless lives and careers. To place someone under suspicion,
Culture
I went to see “Sound of Freedom” for much the same reason I went to see “Barbie” -- to see if the pre-opening buzz was valid. In the Good Old Days, the pre-opening buzz was gushing, usually planted and ignited by the studios, to amp up appetite for the film.
Culture
I’ve got nothing but admiration for Taylor Swift, from the time she was an inner-directed young teen straight outta Wyomissong who knew she was destined to be a professional country singer, to when she exploded into a pop mega star unafraid to take on record companies and concert producers.
Culture
Because of my previous association with her, I had to be the first kid on the block to see the “Barbie” movie, which is getting tons of free publicity, and marketing tie-ins. But before I tell you about the movie, led me tell you what happened Friday morning when I
Culture
The biggest con game going on in America is not the Nigerian prince, not the Power Ball, not the call from a fake kidnapper who claims to have your child. It is the scam convincing “open-minded” (and empty-headed) youth that they are not cisgender, or, if you prefer, straight. (Some
Culture
By Jonathan Zimmeran For the Philadelphia Inquirer In the 1950s, the greatest threat to American freedom was the attack on communists and their so-called fellow travelers in government, academia, and the arts. Led by a firebrand senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy, the anti-communist campaign destroyed countless lives and careers. To
Culture
The Philadelphia School District has just pulled a Krasner, excusing the rule-breakers and punishing the enforcers. It is a bad message to send to a society that seems to be unraveling at the seams. Sounds like an old man yelling at clouds. I am old, old enough to know better,
Culture
If I tell you subjects covered by the novel include incest, rape, racial hate, adolescent sex, physical abuse, the F-word, the N-word and pedophelia, would you think it is suitable for children? A selection of some banned books (Illustration: PBS) The book that has been “banned” in some school districts