Category Archives: General Culture and News

On the Integrity of Cereal Naming Conventions

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Tom Garrett

We do some pretty wacky things to try to shovel as much sugar into our collective diet as possible. Take, for example, this new cereal.  Here’s a picture of the box, sent to me by a good friend who knew … Continue reading →

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Thanks Again, Lawyers

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Tom Garrett

I had occasion to rise at the crack of nine a few Sundays back, thanks to the unusual start time of the London-based NFL game between the Falcons and Lions.  The early wake-up was significant because it meant I would … Continue reading →

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Some (Possibly Unpopular) Thoughts on Rice and Goodell

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Tom Garrett

A few thoughts on the Ray Rice situation, some of which may be redundant for anyone who’s been following the story, others of which may be uncomfortable for some: 1. Ray Rice should have been suspended for more than two … Continue reading →

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The Decline of the United States of America in One Chart

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Tom Garrett

The New York Times Chronicle sub-site is a wonderful utility that graphs the frequency of words and phrases over the publication’s history.  Users can plug in whatever search terms they wish, and the engine instantly and amazingly checks over a century’s worth … Continue reading →

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“Case Closed” on “Redskins” Rationale?

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Tom Garrett

On Olbermann last night, host Keith Olbermann delivered a powerful anti-“Redskins” commentary tied both to the team’s ill-advised #RedskinsPride hashtag campaign, as well as a recent discovery that the team’s name was not chosen partially to honor head coach “Lone Star” … Continue reading →

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“Make sure ‘MOUTH’ is in all-caps”

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Tom Garrett

“Hey, remember Pop Rocks?  Kids like those, right?” “Well, sir, they’re still around, but they aren’t quite as popular as . . . ” “I loved them when I was a kid!” “Right, I was going to say they were … Continue reading →

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A “Free Speech” Misconception

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Tom Garrett

If there’s an upside to having to listen to national arguments about “offensive” ideas on a weekly basis, it’s this:  The increasing frequency of those debates has highlighted a misguided point repeatedly made about “free speech.” The argument normally follows these … Continue reading →

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Adam Silver’s Mistake

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Tom Garrett

With the Donald Sterling saga now more-or-less concluded (at least the portion that won’t take place inside of a courtroom), I was thinking about NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s press conference on Tuesday afternoon. There was simply too much momentum against … Continue reading →

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The Instrumentality of My Own Demise

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Tom Garrett

This is it. This is how I die. Last night, I questioned everything I thought I believed. I found myself face-to-face with my greatest fantasy and my greatest fear. I stared deeply into the abyss. This is what stared back: To … Continue reading →

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Go Cancel Yourself

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Tom Garrett

The “#CancelColbert” mini-movement may finally be it. After years of steamrolling toward this apparently inevitable conclusion, we may at last have reached the point wherein the universe of the offended folds in on itself.  We’ve found our way to “snake … Continue reading →

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