Note: The Coffee Coaster Beaniegram contains synopses of writings—columns and book/movie reviews—of the week. It normally is posted and emailed on Sunday mid day. Toward the end of each week, a more journalistic newsletter, "Percolations," is emailed commenting on news and issues of the week. Last week's issue of Percolations is located here. — bw

My Column-Article
And the winners are...
2012 presidential race fast-forward
by Brian Wright

September 3, 2012, Tampa, Florida. Today at the Tampa Bay Times Forum building, the assembled delegates of the Republican Party chose their nominees for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States.[1] Reporters from every major news organization were on hand from the dropping of the gavel on August 27, documenting the leading candidates' activities and would-be policies if they are to win back the White House from the Democrats. [Full Column]

Excerpt of Review

Main Street (2010):
Good little naturalistic thought provoker ___ 8/10

Why is this a good movie? Why do I regard it as a four-star when IMDb gives it a 4.8 ranking, equivalent to two stars? Well, except for the Firth hiccup on the Texan-authenticity meter—really difficult to understand for such a remarkable talent—the acting is stellar. And the characters they are acting out are real and believable; the writer takes no easy way out, either with misplaced romanticism or overwrought demonization of those who handle earth-unfriendly products in a less-than-candid manner. What results is then a series of rather deep, complex character studies: from Georgiana Carr to Harris Parker's mother (Margo Martindale) to, well, all the principals. That's what makes the film completely fascinating and worth multiple watches. [Full Review]

Book Review
January Double Header
Red or Blue by Bob Jackson
Enough is Enough by Brendan Kelly

Both of the books I'm reviewing today fall into the fair-to-middlin' editing category. Also, as a 'Jeffersonian liberal'—a passionate advocate of natural reason—I immediately downgrade works that carry a point of view embracing supernatural belief (whether it be lumped on Jesus, the Grand Collective, or the Great Pumpkin). So that's two strikes vs. both books, right away. The good news is each book does state something unique, at least enough to contribute to the intellectual ammunition of those of us already aboard the Freedom Train. [Sadly, neither book is likely to sway any souls who sit on the fence of liberty; IMHO the messages are simply, in the case of Red or Blue, unrealistic, or, in the case of Enough is Enough, not sufficiently original to be of general interest.] But let's mine whatever ore is present [Full Review]

Guest Column

War Machine vs. Ron Paul
The fix is in: war machine: anyone but Ron Paul
by Ron Burcham

Doesn't anyone remember Vietnam? Am I the only person alive that remembers that Vietnam was a war contrived by Lyndon Baines Johnson all by himself? Vietnam was not an aberration of American foreign policy. It was the norm. Johnson put our ships into waters claimed by an unpopular regime and then went to war when that unpopular country, North Vietnam, presented an opportunity for Lyndon Baines Johnson to use as an excuse to start a shooting war. It was called the “Tonkin Gulf” incident. Presidents don't give a damn about the lives of our military. Our troops are pawns used by presidents to engage in wars invented by the foreign policies of their friends in the Washington establishment. G.W. Bush made a big show when visiting the injured in military hospitals but he was crying crocodile tears. What he was really saying silently was, “Thank you for giving me even more excuses to continue the war. The neo-cons and their friends need the profits and I relish the power that I can unleash against anyone whom I please at home or overseas. Give me more excuses.” [Full Column]

Quote of the Week
Subscribe and Archive
About the Coffee Coaster

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
— Thomas Jefferson

Please send me your letters or comments thru access of the Coffee Coaster Blog.

Contact the Coffee Coaster
RSS Feed
Coffee Coaster Blog
Newsletter URL