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Politics (Theory, History, Now)

Letters from World War II — Part IV: The Navy Boys

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September 2, 2025

Among the letters in my mother’s collection from World War II, there were those from three men whose lives were intertwined in so many ways: My Uncle Sam (Salvatore Sclafani), his cousin Charles (Charlie) Sitra, and a man whose dear friendship Sam cultivated while he was in the Navy: Carmine…
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Remembrance

Elizabeth Sciabarra: Born 73 Years Ago Today

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September 2, 2025

I was born into a world in which you were always My Big Sister. My Bitty. Everything a sister could be and more. You gave me all your love, support, advice, and comfort. You were my rock. I carry these gifts with me every day of my life. Today is the…
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Culture, Film / TV / Theater Review, Remembrance

I am Muscular Dystrophy – Jack Palance

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September 1, 2025

For 44 years, from 1966 to 2010, this holiday weekend was associated with the Jerry Lewis MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Labor Day Telethon. On Sunday night, September 3, 1972, my family and I watched an extraordinary performance during that annual telethon by the Oscar-winning actor Jack Palance, who delivered a…
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Music

Song of the Day #2221

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August 31, 2025

Song of the Day: Close Enough for Jazz, words and music by Van Morrison, first appeared on the artist’s 1993 album, “Too Long in Exile,” as an instrumental. My favorite version of the song is a poppin’ vocal rendition on Morrison’s 2018 duet album, “You’re Driving Me Crazy,” with the…
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Music, Remembrance

Song of the Day #2220

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August 30, 2025

Song of the Day: Ain’t That Enough for You was composed by John E. Davis, Jr., who was born on this date in 1947. In 1978, this song was a huge dance hit, going to #4 on the Billboard Disco chart for John Davis and the Monster Orchestra. I was…
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Music, Remembrance

Song of the Day #2219

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August 29, 2025

Song of the Day: Time Out for Tears, words and music by Irving Berman and Abe Schiff, appears on “Music for a First Love,” released in 1957 as the eighth studio album of the great Dinah Washington. This was one of my mom’s favorite albums and every track is absolutely…
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Frivolity

To Bing or Not To Bing

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August 29, 2025

Courtesy Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis
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Culture, Music

Coney Island Fireworks from Earthcam

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August 28, 2025

To kick off my Tenth Annual Summer Music Festival on June 20, 2025, I uploaded to YouTube a brief 1 minute 39 second video using the song “Coney Island” by Terry Berkson [YouTube link], which gave us a glimpse of the 2024 Coney Island fireworks finale. On the night of…
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Politics (Theory, History, Now)

The New State Interventions

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August 27, 2025

I am appalled that some “libertarians” continue to defend Trump and MAGA, as if there is some broader strategy at work here. That somehow the more blatant shift toward state capitalism is going to lead to some kind of “free market/free trade” utopia in the future. Add in Trump’s amping-up…
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Politics (Theory, History, Now), Remembrance

Letters from World War II — Part III: George & Charlie

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August 26, 2025

Two of my father’s brothers — George and Charlie — went off to fight the Axis powers in Europe, with vastly different fates. One ended up with Allied forces in North Africa and Italy, while the other fought his way through Germany, only to be captured and held as a Prisoner of War. Their…
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