News

Giving Thanks

On November 10, 1969 RN issued a message to the armed forces: "This Thanksgiving Day provides an ideal occasion for all Americans to acknowledge and give thanks for the courage, devotion to duty, and the loyalty you have demonstrated in service to our nation." We...

Please Pass the Brisket

Ever hear of Gershom Mendes Seixas? Well, he might just be the forgotten hero of Thanksgiving. Our national Thanksgiving narrative is rich with stories about proclamations, gatherings, meals, traditions, football, and of course, the obligatory pardoning of a turkey by...

Democratic Majorities, Then and Now

The 111th Congress will be more Democratic than the 110th.  By latest count, the Senate will be 58D-40R, with two races (Minnesota and Georgia) undecided.  The House will be 256D-175R, with four races outstanding.  Compare these divisions to those of the 91st Congress...

Aglet: Another Name For A Whatjermecallit

Back in the '80s, Rich Hall invented Sniglets: Words that should ---but don't--- appear in the dictionary. Such as: ACCORDIONATED (ah kor' de on ay tid) adj. Being able to drive and refold a road map at the same time. CARPERPETUATION (kar' pur pet u a shun) n. The...

What Would the Sage of Fair Lane Think?

As the big boys from the big three pressed their case this week for a taxpayer funded bridge or bailout (pick your metaphor), the role of big labor in Mr. Obama’s coming administration is being seriously tested even before the guy gets to say “so help me God.” Of...

A Summing Up

Robert Novak suspended his column last summer when he learned he had a brain tumor.  The long-time Washington observer and uber-reporter arrived in the capital in the latter years of the Eisenhower administration. In this month's Washingtonian magazine, he talks at...