patriotnews.com http://www.patriotnews.com/wordpress “Politics, opinion and commentary” … proudly independent since 1996 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:24:08 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Speaking the unspeakable: Why Obama can’t win Sunday afternoon some three months ago was a warm, spring day in Muncie, Indiana, the "Middletown" of Robert S. and Helen Merrell Lynd's famous sociological study of an average American town. I was stopped in the right hand turn lane of the second most heavily trafficked intersection in town, second ... http://www.patriotnews.com/wordpress/?p=14 Half of those who read this are bright people, the other half are not! How smart is your neighbor? Regardless of what you think of him, the odds are fifty percent that he’s smarter than you are … and conversely, fifty percent that you’re the smarter. That’s because of the curve of intelligence from dumbest to brightest as measured by IQ ... http://www.patriotnews.com/wordpress/?p=13 The arrogant art of political prognostication, or “How to handle being wrong” Some things in American politics are remarkably consistent. Every presidential year the American people divide themselves into two segments, each comprising roughly half the population, and proceed to invest their personal emotions, their aspirations and the future of their families and the well being of the ... http://www.patriotnews.com/wordpress/?p=12 The long anticipated demise of democracy in America I am one of those news junkies who routinely start their computer day by clicking on the Drudge Report … not because I give a tinker’s damn about what Matt Drudge says (in point of fact he hardly ever says anything himself, at least on his website), ... http://www.patriotnews.com/wordpress/?p=11 “Those were the good old days” Convenience, Customer Service and Protective Packaging, or”Those were the good old days” Among other things, the dictionary tells us that “conveniences” are things that are “easy to obtain, use, or reach.” Fast food joints are “convenient.” In fact you’ll find them in every town and hamlet, and at virtually ... http://www.patriotnews.com/wordpress/?p=8 “Remember, son, don’t talk about politics or religion” I heard that advice repeatedly while I was growing up, from both my father and my mother. I heard it before my first date, before my first job interview and sometimes when we arrived at the homes of relatives and friends. It’s probably the best advice one ... http://www.patriotnews.com/wordpress/?p=6