Preface Followers of this blog probably know that I effectively broke with the U.S. Socialist Workers Party (SWP) after almost 50 years supporting it and working with it. I took this action over disagreement on a few specific issues. These disagreements are strong and heartfelt, but narrow. I still broadly agree with the SWP on many others. With respect to international politics, I consider the … Continue reading Hamas. Israel. It’s Complicated.
Ron DeSantis’ infamous “Don’t Say Gay” law was initially aimed at young elementary school children whose tender ears were deemed too sensitive to be told their classmate Johnnie has two mommies or two daddies. The law covered K-3. It wasn’t long before DeSantis decided that even 12th graders are too young. From there DeSantis aimed his sights on state universities, banning diversity programs on the … Continue reading The Not-So-Slow Creep of Bigotry
Frequent visitors to this blog and my website are likely aware that my grandfather, Dr. William Edgar Geil, was the first person ever documented to have walked the entire length of the Great Wall of China. He did this in 1908. After writing books and touring the world with stories of this and other adventures, my grandfather fell into obscurity. He died in 1925 after … Continue reading A Living History of the Great Wall
Old friends invited my husband and me to dinner last weekend. The weather was delightful after the storms, heat and humidity of recent days. We shared stories of old times and people, which doesn’t always come easily anymore. What was his name?… I think it was 1975? 1976?… That was before, no wait, it was after… I turned 70 in June. I’m the oldest among … Continue reading The Gift of Turning 70
Statista estimates that 93% of the U.S. population uses the Internet. It stands to reason this 93% is also using a web browser frequently or exclusively for their online activity. How could they not? There are some 25 or more browsers out there, but I think its safe to assume the vast majority are using Chrome, Firefox or Safari. Probably everyone has a favorite browser, … Continue reading Arc: The Web Browser Reinvented
Email is indispensable in modern life… and inescapable… and the bane of existence for many of us. There’s way too much of it, especially on our jobs. Before retiring I got over 400 emails a week at the office. Some people get that many in a day! Home is no escape either. I use email extensively with family, friends, political and volunteer activities, my blog, … Continue reading HEY… It’s Not Your Father’s Email
An article in yesterday’s New York Times got me thinking. It described the latest round of something we see constantly these days: speakers (usually conservative) being shouted down or denied a platform altogether by (usually “progressive”) students or activists. The right does this too, though in their case it’s often more institutionalized than ad hoc. Examples include the expulsion this week of two Tennessee state representatives or … Continue reading Society Needs a Collective ‘Time Out’
Note to personal friends… If we obviously know each other and you want to join Mastodon, contact me privately by email or Facebook Messenger. I will send you an invitation link to join my server at Mastodon, which will simplify the process and leapfrog you through sign-up. Read below & you’ll understand. Elon Musk has wrecked Twitter since he bought it in October for that … Continue reading Goodbye, Twitter! Hello, Mastodon!
This post has been updated to include the complete set of 22 videos recorded during the journey of James and Tommy Lindesay along the Great Wall. You can follow the Lindesay Brothers directly at YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. My grandfather, Dr. William Edgar Geil, walked the entire length of China’s Great Wall in 1908. He is first person ever documented to have done so. He … Continue reading Two Brothers Walk China’s Great Wall End-to-End
