OK, so you don't care for the W.O.O.D. feature? Doesn't mean I won't keep using the "open" feature of Open Salon to continue the series, a series that is, to my mind, both serendipitous and synchronous.

That is, when I run across something that crosses my eyes, I'll feel free to… Read full post »

Back in my home state, Tennessee, sports-centric bloggers claim to be relishing in Memphis' loss last night in the NCAA tournament.

I'm sure they relish the loss. It's the classic institutional schadenfreude (last time I missed an adult spelling bee word was on that one; I outsmarted myself, but… Read full post »

A few weeks ago, at the suggestion of an admired OS colleague, I opened a thread on word usage and origins called "Word of the Day."

I'm sure the implication was that it would be a daily feature, but I knew at the time that it wouldn't be daily. Yet, a… Read full post »

What is it lately with all the posts whining about the following the posted speed limit and obeying traffic signals? Even reckless driving has come under attack. Sure, I have little pet peeves too, but I'm not about to have a big rant singling them out and therefore making people second gue… Read full post »

Instead of fully adopting Julie Tarp's suggestion of a daily word blog, it's going to be a lot easier to call it "Words of the Day." I can't imagine it drawing high readership, and that's probably a good thing. The last thing we need is a flame war where the remnant… Read full post »

My few readers pretty much have to be "friends," for I've seldom written on topics that weren't either OS-meta or just plain quirky. I tend to keep my politics to myself here and I don't write about food or entertainment. I don't write poetry for others to read. I don't find… Read full post »

Ben Barber's idea (it's too much to call it a proposal) is the best idea ever...and that's why it will never be implemented.

Mine isn't the kind of job where I can listen intently to a radio show, but I find Marketplace from American Public Media to be one show I… Read full post »

I'm one of those people who can best be described as an extroverted introvert (sometimes spoken of as "extraverted."); that is, I'm completely introverted, but quite capable of performing the functions necessary to be thought of as the opposite.

Most people acquainted with me would find this remarkab… Read full post »

I figuratively grind my teeth every time I hear someone pat themselves on the back because they "created" jobs. The Gingrich/McConnell/Boehner-led Republicans luuuvv to parade this trope and phalanxes of fellow travelers, especially op-ed writers and other policy dilettantes march in lockstep to this… Read full post »

Here are a few of my favorites here at Open Salon. I don't mean for this to be complete. Some are favorites because they have been personally considerate toward me; others are prolific writers I think you'd enjoy. I use this page as my first stop at OS. It won't tell… Read full post »

Malcolm Gladwell, the reporter/nonfiction writer/corporate guru trampling the competition on the bestseller list right now (Outliers: The Story of Success), has written three books. For me, his second one – Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking – is his most important one.

 … Read full post »

The peripatetic Sarah O'Leary issued a late-night challenge to "Stump OS." Read the initiating post here. For a precis of the post --- she suggested entering a search term in the search box above. Any term eliciting 50 or fewer "hits" earns 25 points.

Read full post »

First-born of four, Scots-Irish, born on beach, delivered by cardiologist, not OB, making for ugly baby, raised in mountains, miss them still.

Smart kid, teacher’s pet, learned to answer only when no one else could. Skinny tall kid, attracted bullies ‘til they saw craziness in eyes and ba… Read full post »

I'm loath to send an OS-mail right now, and I'm bereft of the need to pontificate, but for any of you who are wondering, Lady Gray has ended the hiatus and is offering up some fairly sophisticated and personal writing. If you have the time, drop in and see what's what.… Read full post »

Read this. I mean it.

If you place any value on my judgment, I encourage you to read this. It speaks for itself.

Is this genius writing? Flouncing? I don't know, but it rattles me to the marrow.

Pray it is literary genius, won't you?

I have a tendency to stay up late, and OS is monopolizing my online time recently, but even a vision-impaired pig finds an acorn, now and then.

This post (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16693.html) at politico.com came as an unwelcome surprise.

I'm evangelical, but no longer Evangelical, b… Read full post »

First, let me say WELCOME. If you are a new poster (a writer [although lurkers and hesitant commenters are equally valuable]).

For Wednesday, December 17, 2008, who claims the title of newest blogger on Open Salon? Are you the newest OSticate?

And to expand the field of competitors, let's differentia… Read full post »

Sincerely, I'd like to know...what's the big deal about Dr. Amy? Stripped of its political content, her stuff makes for nice back-of-the-paper news bites, and her proclaimed authority makes it arguably more reliable than an AP brief, but what makes the good doctor's every utterance worthy of banner p… Read full post »

Today (Tuesday) is the day. Tristan Williamson, a veteran of the current Iraq war, will, from 9 a.m. EST to 5 p.m., subject himself to a duress (read:torture) restraint that is fully approved by the Department of Defense to subdue Guantanamo prisoners, either for control or to prep them for interroga… Read full post »

It's funny how one post can generate an almost seemingly unrelated post elsewhere on Open Salon. Earlier today, I tumbled onto Jordan Mazza's excellent critique of online communities and their potential for creating stalking behavior. In fact, the kind of stalking Jordan was talking ab… Read full post »

Tristan Williamson doesn't really want to talk about his service in the Iraq war. There are aspects of his military service that, of necessity, and at his choice, remain secret.

For the time being, we're willing to allow Tristan (and the Navy) to keep his secrets. What observers will find releva… Read full post »

I suppose this is in no way unique, but it's new to me. Tonight, an acquaintance of mine, Tristan Williamson, alerted me to his intention to undergo a period of what can only be called duress. Whether you want to call it performance art (and Tristan denies that's what it is)… Read full post »

My apologies to OS regulars. On advice, I've declined to post this on my local civic affairs blog. But nobody said I couldn't express myself here. It won't be of any general interest on Open Salon, but it's the truth.

People have been criticizing our local government officials – the mayor… Read full post »

It's certain to be politically incorrect to say it, especially at a time when the "pundits" are debating whether the U.S. is a "center-right" or a "center-left" country, but someone has to say it.

There are only two kinds of Americans.

On one side are those whose stomachs hurt when they see… Read full post »