Robt. Heinlein in the otherwise uneven (to say the least) Podkayne Of Mars proposed something quite similar to this. His premises were that there’s a peak age span in which to bear children as opposed to a peak age span to be a parent—roughly 10 to 15 years difference. I speculate that my childhood would have been…

Based solely on your comment, I have strong feelings of affection for you which will never abate.

American Pie: from beginning to end—takes about 8 minutes, I believe

Next time this happens, Governor, and I couldn’t be more serious, I hope the victims will include everyone you love, and that you live to great age, and that you suffer the pangs of guilt and loneliness every moment for the rest of your days. Upon that occasion, I pledge to offer my thoughts and prayers.

I hope they don’t sign him. I would fear for his life.

Please do read Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language” to get an understanding of how fear, propaganda and corruption of language are inexorably linked. It has been demonstrated that there is no such thing as thought disconnected from words. We think in words. If our stock of words is corrupted, then what comes…

And I forgot to mention “it begs the question.” We have a perfectly good way to limn the meaning—”the question arises.” In the context in which “it begs...” is now often used, it makes no sense, but the users seem to think it adds a touch of class to their propositions—whereas, “a question begging argument” is useful,…

Snobbery, perhaps, by certain lights, but I nonetheless agree. The English language conveys knowledge, can spin wise aphorisms, and is capable of splendor.

In my state (WA), the DPA always appends “lesser included’s” to the primary charge, e.g. I had a client charged with Assault 1, but Assault 2, 3, and 4 were available if the jury found as fact the elements to any of those crimes.

From the annals of Cap’t. Dick’s (this is me) Amazing True Tales: I had a friend who once roomed with Bob Denver, of Gilligan’s and Dobie fame (Dobie was much better TV). Bob had an incinerator in his living room. Not a woodstove—an incinerator. He only ate off of disposable dishes, and immediately after dining would…

Anybody here reminded of renvoi from Conflict of Laws?

Short while ago I read the Business Week article documenting Papa John whining about the athlete protests hurting his sales (seems he lost $70M in stock value, but Jebus—he’s still worth $800M! Let’s brainstorm a way to confect some kind of repulsive food and then watch the money roll in!)

If it’s Sessions my acute and sustained glee attack will surely kill me.

I was in construction for ~25 years before switching fields (you’ll just have to guess but here are some clues: 1. For my second graduation my sister gave me a London Fog topcoat 2. When at work, I am constantly thanking people whom I loath 3. I know what “shepardizing” is.

compassion-defyin’

It’s “Lise.”

“womanizer”—hasn’t been in the parlance for some decades, but I think it always had an unsavory connotation—from whence did Matt Damon dredge that up? Next thing you know, some guy will be calling HW a “rakehell”

Little Eva was not a girl group. She was Carole King’s and Gerry Goffin’s babysitter when they had burgeoning songwriting careers working out of the famed Brill Building. My goodness! The songs they wrote! Astonishing production!

the trenchant analysis and witty ripostes (this can be done when talking to one’s self) I’ve grown to depend on

Thing is, Trump can’t be controlled, also not a dyed-in-the-wool R—alternatively, not a sound will issue from Pence’s lips that has not been rigorously vetted by the Koch’s...