Archive 2006
(Click on the Date)
- Holy Seasons and the Hellenic Spirit by James Adler
- The Joy of Teaching by Ernest Cassara
- The DeFacto Closing of the Flagships… by Lawrence Velvel
- The Universal Holiday by John Turner
- Pictorial of Chinese Ice Sculptures
- Review of Scrooge by Neil Turner
- Plus, Potpourri, Developments Last Week, Chuckle of the Week, Links to Two Holiday Websites, and A Holiday Message from the Editor
- James Adler's reports on the Middle East, Jimmy Carter and the Baker recommendations.
- A link to Jimmy Carter's column in the Los Angeles Times about his book on Palestine.
- Ernest Cassara's thoughts on how we have destroyed the social contract in Iraq.
- Lawrence Velvel on the mental health of President Bush.
- A photographic essay about Amelia Island, Florida.
- A link to a site about the health of the brain.
- Neil Turner's review of Silent Night.
- John Turner's Christmas wish for a more sane definition of religion.
- Plus Potpourri, Implications for the Long Run, Wisdom from Polonius, and a Chuckle for the Week.
- The second part of James Adler's piece on letters to the editor.
- Jimmy Carter's interview with Judy Woodruff on the situation in Palestine
- Ernest Cassara's thoughts on returning to the United States.
- Sherwood Ross's remarks about the face off between the president and Jim Webb.
- Lawrence Velvel's argument about the influence of the recent elections,
- A photographic essay about the Getty Villa in Los Angeles.
- Neil Turner's review of Un Amour À Taire.
- John Turner's essay about the duty of the Democrats to investigate what has happened.
- Plus "Implications for the Long Run, Wisdom from Polonius, Chuckle of the Week, and a link to the web site "Truthout,"
- James Adler’s explanation about letters to the editor.
- Ernest Cassara’s news from London including commentary about the mysterious assassination.
- Jerome Richard’s report from Hungary.
- Sherwood Ross’s note about how the Armenian massacre continues to affect Turkey.
- Lawrence Velvel’s report on questionable personnel practices at Brandeis.
- A poem on war by Li Po.
- A pictorial essay from the Los Angeles Airport neighborhood.
- Neil Turner’s review of Joyeux Noël.
- John Turner’s thoughts about the great sprawl of Los Angeles.
- Plus Potpourri, Wisdom from Polonius, Chuckle of theWeek, a site for healthy gifts, and a letter from a reader.
- Ernest Cassara's report on how President Bush is viewed in England -- and in Europe.
- Alan Dershowitz's criticism of Jimmy Carter's take on the Middle East.
- Lawrence Velvel's remembrance of the great Michigan football coach Bo Shembechler.
- A photographic essay about bumper stickers from Florida.
- Neil Turner's review of Wah-Wah.
- John Turner's essay on what counts as religion in America.
- Plus Wisdom from Polonius, a chuckle for the week, and a link to a safety web site.
- James Adler's essay on three dangerous fundamentalisms.
- Ernest Cassara's note on the "non-war war."
- Lawrence Velvel on the rot coming out of Washington.
- John Turner's photographic essay about visiting his old high school.
- Neil Turner's review of Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
- John Turner's remarks on Bush supporters who change their minds.
- Plus Chuckle of the Week, a link to an interesting shopping mall, and Wisdom from Polonius.
- Harvard Square Observer: Democracy and Capitalism by Ernest Cassara
- Revoking Visa of Muslim Scholar Ramadan Part of Broader Assault Against Freedom by Sherwood Ross
- Honesty, History, And A College Of History And Law by Lawrence Velvel
- From Liberty Street: Working Things Out by John Turner
- From the Editor: Thoughts on justifying aggressive behavior
- Implication for the Long Run: Developments Last Week
- Wisdom from Polonius: Thoughts by and about veterans
- Chuckle of the Week: A poem created from statements by George W. Bush
- Site of the Week: Spotting e-mail "ringers"
- From the Video Shop: Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam
- Ernest Cassara's thoughts on why he is a Democrat.
- Lawrence Velvel's take on Bush's Reactionary Judges.
- Neil Turner's review of Separate Lies.
- A link to a site that will tell you how to make a better hamburger.
- John Turner's remarks about how a considerable portion of the electorate has a peasant mentality.
- Plus Developments from last week, Wisdom From Polonius, a joke about political behavior, and a letter from a reader.
- James Adler's plea that a senseless feud be ended.
- Ernest Cassara's report on how society teaches young people to be violent.
- Lawrence Velvel's report on a conference about presidential powers.
- Jay Leno's take on animals in clothes.
- The site of the week about the FAA.
- Neil Turner's review of four films starring Boris Karloff.
- John Turner's essay on democracy, American style.
- Plus Potpourri, Developments of the Week, Wisdom from Polonius, humor and comments from readers.
- Ernest Cassara's explanation of why he missed the Orson Welles hoax when he was a boy.
- Sherwood Ross's explanation about why America is disliked by Muslims.
- Neil Turner's pictorial essay about the doors of Annapolis.
- Neil Turner's Review of Twelve and Holding.
- John Turner's speculations about why Congress is unpopular
- Plus Potpourri, Developments Last Week, Wisdom from Polonius, a bit of humor about a novice at a monastery, a web site link to help you travel light, and comments on previous articles.
- James Adler highlights two columns concerning the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
- Ernest Cassara poses thoughts as to North Korean atomic development
- The editor writes about the effects of Mother Nature upon his thoughts and perceptions
- Neil Turner writes of a sobering film about religion and family dynamics
- A pictorial and thoughts about bugs in paradise
- A website to warm the hearts of do-it-yourselfers
- Plus Potpourri, Developments, Polonius, a chuckle, and a comment from a reader about what is "right"
- Ernest Cassara's reminder of the country Jane Jacob's wanted us to be.
- Lawrence Velvel's statement that we are experiencing a moral meltdown.
- Warren Seamans's advice that the John Adams exhibit at the Boston Public Library is worth seeing.
- A link to a web site that will help you make intelligent decisions about your health.
- Neil Turner's review of Thank You or Smoking.
- John Turner's essay on why Bush doesn't want to know.
- Plus Potpourri, Developments Last Week, Wisdom from Polonius, and a collection of strange classified ads.
- Ernest Cassara's essay about the American habit of finding some group or other to disparage.
- Jerome Richard's skeptical review of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man.
- Lawrence Velvel's argument that presidential power has grown too great in America.
- A web site that will tell you how to give your dog a place on the internet.
- Neil Turner's review of Down in the Valley.
- John Turner's thoughts about signs of social decay in America.
- Plus Potpourri, Developments of the Week, Wisdom from Polonius, and humor about what a certain writer no longer has and what we must do about it.
- Ernest Cassara's thoughts on the Pope's lecture at Regensburg.
- Lawrence Velvel's commendation of the New York Times's Bob Herbert for recognizing the reason the Bush administration wants immunity from prosecution for torture.
- James Adler's thoughts about the 9/11 attacks from five years ago.
- Neil Turner's photographic essay about African art.
- A web site featuring a pleasant park in Annapolis.
- Neil Turner's review of Hard Candy
- John Turner's speculations about how to define "real" Americans.
- Plus, Potpourri, Developments of the week, Wisdom from Polonius, humor, and a letter from a reader.
- James Adler's comment on fifty years of the West's relation with Islam
- Ernest Cassara's introduction of an article by Gideon Levy which Ernest says will wrench your heart.
- Neil Turner's photographic essay on helicopters.
- A web site which offers us the sartorial splendor of the "tactical daddy."
- Neil Turner's review of two films about soccer.
- John Turner's argument that genuine religion has nothing to with current U.S. foreign policy.
- Plus Potpourri, Developments Last Week, Wisdom from Polonius, two pieces of humor, and a letter about the U.S. Naval Academy.
- Harvard Square Observer by Ernest Cassara
- Many High Bush Administration Officials Guilty of Violating Anti-torture Laws by Sherwood Ross
- Eric Lomax’s “The Railway Man” And Today’s America by Lawrence Vevel
- Potpourri
- Implication for the Long Run: Developments Last Week
- Pictorial - In Annapolis: The United States Naval Academy
- Wisdom from Polonius
- Chuckle of the Week and a Chuckle Extra
- From the Video Shop: United 93
- From Liberty Street: Surprise
- Notes from the Editor and Comments from Readers
- Ernest Cassara's recommendation of two articles from Israel.
- Sherwood Ross's report that many U.S. soldiers may be suffering from poisons encountered during the Gulf War.
- A picture/essay about a small mountain in Vermont.
- A link to a web site that offers a diagnosis of the earth's health.
- Neil Turner's review of Friends With Money
- John Turner's thought that with September we start a new year, and a suggestion for what this year's task should be.
- Plus Potpourri, developments of the week, Wisdom From Polonius, Tarzan's humor, and letters from readers.
- Ernest Cassara's thoughts about the phrase "axis of evil."
- Jerome Richard on the lesson of Israel and Hezbollah.
- Lawrence Velvel's take on judicial bias.
- A picture/essay about Cape Elizabeth in Maine.
- Neil Turner on Bette Davis as villain.
- John Turner's response to current pessimism.
- Plus Potpourri, Wisdom from Polonius, humor about cars, men and women, and RhymeZone, the site of the week.
- Ernest Cassara's commentary about U.S. reluctance to get quickly to a cease fire in Lebanon.
- Gideon Levy's report about conditions in Gaza.
- Lawrence Velvel's updates of two of his recent articles.
- A photographic article about Mars.
- More pictures of Annapolis, Maryland.
- The web site of Island Press, the environmental publisher.
- Neil Turner's Review of Regeneration.
- John Turner's musings on how foreign policy gets made.
- Plus, Potpourri, Developments of the Week, Wisdom from Polonius, humor, and a letter from a reader.
- Ernest Cassara's reflections after watching TV reports of the bombing in Lebanon and Israel.
- Sherwood Ross's report on how non-wealthy students are being shut out of law schools.
- Lawrence Velvel's criticism of the Federal Law Courts.
- Leslie Miller's photographic report about her home in Newfoundland.
- A link to a site listing the delights of Broadway.
- Neil Turner's review of Ask the Dust.
- John Turner's musings on cascading information.
- Plus Potpourri, developments of the week, Wisdom from Polonius, humor, and letters from readers.
- Ernest Cassara's explanation of why many in the Middle East hate Americans.
- Abraham Foxman's refutation of the charge that Israel's actions have been disproportionate.
- A pictorial essay about Annapolis, Maryland.
- A link to the Roy Rogers Website.
- Neil Turner's review of Tsotsi.
- John Turner's thoughts on Lincoln's promise.
- Plus Developments of the week, Wisdom from Polonius, humor, and editor's comments.
- James Adler's comment on a book by Amos Oz.
- Ernest Cassara on the endless war.
- Sherwood Ross's call for a release of prisoners from Guantanamo.
- Lawrence Velvel's thoughts on Israel and Palestine, plus a friend's response challenging his argument.
- A pictorial essay about the constitution center in Philadelphia.
- Neil Turner's essay about two Hercule Poirot mysteries.
- John Turner's musings about American democracy.
- And Potpourri, Wisdom from Polonius, stock tips from a kindergarten kid, a site offering dozens of cartoons, and comments from readers.
- A range of observations on the situation in the Middle East.
- An introduction to Lawrence Velvel's thoughts about The One Percent Doctrine.
- A look at two little Vermont bookshops.
- Neil Turner's review of The Hanging Gale.
- John Turner's thoughts about heat and congestion in our nation's capital.
- Plus Potpourri, Developments of the Week, Wisdom From Polonius, a website that explains the details of an extraordinary barter, and a chuckle.
- James Adler's thoughts on what he sees as lost Israeli opportunities.
- Ernest Cassara's return with his take on Israel's response to the incursions on its borders.
- Sherwood Ross's argument that conditions now in Iraq are worse than they were with Saddam.
- Lawrence Velvel's explanation that women, too, will find the "American Dream" a delusion.
- A photo/essay on the World War II Memorial in D.C.
- Neil Turner's review of The Girl in the Café
- John Turner's thoughts about the interaction of intelligence and political discourse.
- Plus Potpourri, Developments of the Week, Wisdom From Polonius, reference to a web site with great "green" products, and a little joke about a mix-up in clothing.
- A new contributor, James Adler, writing about the troubles in Gaza.
- A photo essay about small parks in Florida.
- A web site that offers us striking photographs from all around the world.
- Neil Turner's review of Eight Below.
- John Turner's thoughts about how Americans view non-American lives.
- Plus developments from last week, wisdom from Polonius, an interpretation of hieroglyphics, and the editor's exchange with Professor Erik Reichle of the University of Pittsburgh.
- Ernest Cassara's reminder about how immigrants adapt to life in the U.S.
- Lawrence Velvel's analysis of the President's attempts to intimidate the New York Times.
- A photo essay about Mesa Verde.
- Neil Turner's review of The World's Fastest Indian.
- A web site that gives us information about the real Burt Munro.
- John Turner's musings about signs of tyranny in America.
- Plus Potpourri, Developments from last week, Wisdom from Polonius, comments about the blessings of alcohol, and letters from our readers.
- Ernest Cassara's explanation that Dan Brown's novel is much better than the movie made from it, along with his review of a film he liked much better, Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth.
- Lawrence Velvel's response to a letter about Iraq from Captain Byron King.
- A link that will take you to Al Gore's speech surveying the first six years of his presidency.
- A photo essay about Bretton Woods in New Hampshire.
- Neil Turner's review of NaPolA.
- John Turner's comment about the dependence of freedom on intelligence.
- Plus Potpourri, Wisdom from Polonius, Advice about how to give a cat a bath, and a letter to the editor about Ernest's reminder that the Constitution calls on the president faithfully to execute the laws of the nation.
- Ernest Cassara's speculations about why Mr. Clinton was impeached and Mr. Bush will not be
- Sherwood Ross on the population explosion
- Lawrence Velvel's thoughts on why Americans seem to love war
- The site of the week that reveals the results of an unlikely combination
- Neil Turner's review of Green Street Hooligans
- John Turner on Robert McNamara and The Fog of War
- Plus Potpourri, Development from last week, Wisdom from Polonius, a Chuckle about Chinese workers, and letters to the editor
- Jerry Richard's discussion of the illogic in our efforts to kill people legally but without a hint of pain.
- Sherwood Ross's critique of U.S. budgetary policy and his review of James Carroll's House of War.
- Lawrence Velvel's continuing support of a third party in America.
- A photo essay about Scotland.
- A web site which presents the evolution of dance.
- Neil Turner's review of The Syrian Bride.
- John Turner's essay about the overuse of labels and how it degrades our political discourse.
- Plus significance for the long run, wisdom from Polonius, a piece of humor about retirement, and letters from readers.
- Ernest Cassara's thoughts on the social and economic consequences of water.
- Lawrence Velvel's charge that ex-presidents go whoring after money.
- A short pictorial about St. Andrews in Scotland.
- Neil Turner's comments about Danish films.
- John Turner's suggestion that national suffering may not be out of order.
- Plus developments of the week, potpourri, wisdom from Polonius, a chuckle about the varieties of sex, letters and comments from readers, and a new site of the week from an ABC newsman (and a relative).
- Ernest Cassara's essay about politics in Great Britain and the Israeli occupation of Palestinian areas.
- Lawrence Velvel's thoughts about moral rot in Congress.
- A poem about Hiroshima by Sherwood Ross
- A full Potpourri by Ernest, including items about the victims of American air raids and the way the Bush administration continues to mislead the media.
- A photo-essay from John Turner's recent incursion into London
- Wisdom from Polonius.
- Neil Turner's review of Transamerica.
- John Turner's review of The Da Vinci Code
- And John Turner's speculations about whether we're on the edge of a major shift in political attitude.
- Ernest Cassara reports on having seen in London the controversial play, My Name is Rachel Corrie.
- Two pieces by Sherwood Ross which argue that the Bush administration has created an unnecessary crisis with Iran, and that the United States is carrying forward the 19th century colonialism of the British Empire.
- James Adler on the limits of American power.
- A letter from France about Mr. Bush's grasp of Christianity.
- In Potpourri, Ernest details other aspects of his recent trip to Europe.
- Wisdom from Polonius
- Neil Turner's review of Duma, a story about raising a cheetah and trying to return it to the wild.
- John Turner's thoughts about escaping from George Bush for a while.
- Plus letters and comments.
- Sherwood Ross writes about what we learned from WWII.
- Two insightful articles from Lawrence Velvel.
- John Turner's view of national glory.
- Neil Turner's review of Match Point.
- Plus, comments from a reader, wisdom about mothers, a chuckle involving perceptions, and a site that guides you to soul food in the midst of "Yankeeland."
- Sherwood Ross on the threat of arbitrary rule in America.
- Lawrence Velvel's investigation into why gasoline costs as much as it does.
- Political developments from last week.
- Neil Turner's review of The Dying Gaul.
- John Turner's thoughts about whether Iraq is another Vietnam.
- Plus wisdom from Polonius, a chuckle that's not about sports, a pair of letters to the editor, and a link to a spicy web site.
- Sherwood Ross's comparison of the current president of the United States with some of the acknowledged tyrants of history.
- Neil Turner's review of a film about religious persecution in Ireland.
- A link to a site about the human population of the world that everyone should reflect on.
- A chuckle perpetrated on the public in Atlanta.
- A selection of thoughts about generals.
- John Turner's reflections on political lying.
- Sherwood Ross's comparison of Bush administration activities to less than admirable tactics of the past.
- Neil Turner's comparison of characters in Making Love and Brokeback Mountain.
- A link to an interesting site where you can share your stories and opinions.
- John Turner's stance on the meaning of Eastern resurrection.
- Plus a small chuckle and wisdom from Polonius.
- Sherwood Ross's explanation of the military/industrial complex.
- Lawrence Velvel's exploration of releasing classified material for political advantage
- Developments of the week, including a note about the possible effect of nanotechnology.
- A discourse about whether Hell takes in or gives off heat.
- Neil Turner's report on a recent release of Miss Marple movies
- And John Turner's speculations about the future and nature of belief.
- Jerome Richard's explanation of why he didn't go to see a play about Rachel Corrie.
- Ernest Cassara's critique of the president's notions of war.
- A series of thoughts from Lawrence Velvel about what Americans need to do in these troubling times.
- In "Potpourri," Ernest's explanation of why he will be gone for a while.
- A note in "Developments" about what the French call "capitalisme sauvage."
- Neil Turner's review of Everything Is Illuminated.
- John Turner's argument that the public square is exactly where religion should be.
- A letter from Seymour Prystowsky denouncing Ernest Cassara's lack of balance in writing about Israel.
- Ernest Cassara's report about knocking down Palestinian houses.
- Lawrence Velvel's thoughts about the need for a new party in America.
- An item in the Potpourri about Irish literature.
- A note in Developments Last Week about Paul Bremer's administration in Iraq.
- A poem from Tom Absher about being a hospital orderly.
- Neil Turner's review of Paradise Now.
- John Turner's musings on manliness and politics.
- A letter to the editor about Russ Feingold's attempt to censure Mr. Bush.
- A list of quotations showing how good our pundits were in predicting outcomes in Iraq.
- Ernest Cassara's remarks on the cowardice of the Democrats.
- Seven items in the Potpourri.
- Tom Absher's continuing story of having been a conscientious objector.
- Neil Turner's review of Al sur de Granada.
- John Turner's reflections on the lame duck status of the president.
- A talk John Turner gave in Boston
- A letter from a reader about intellectual corruption.
- Ernest Cassara's speculations about how the Bush administration is conducting a war on women.
- A potpourri which includes a reminder of the really big flu epidemic
- Jerry Richard's review of a book about modern dying.
- Neil Turner's review of Half Light.
- A poem that touches on Tom Absher's long ago struggles with his draft board.
- John Turner's thesis that the current administration's approach to science may be doing more harm than anything else they do.
- Plus wisdom from Polonius, last week in TV, developments of the week, and a light-hearted piece about the English language.
- Ernest Cassara fills us in on what happened to Larry Summers at Harvard.
- Potpourri has a fascinating explanation of the psychological effect of reading Israeli and Palestinian newspapers.
- A review of Mrs. Henderson Presents tells us what the movie was really about.
- Neil Turner fills us in on a really long Italian film.
- John Turner speculates about what's needed for genuine democracy.
- Plus wisdom from Polonius, last week's developments, a few notes on television, jokes, and an interesting letter to the editor about the development of nuclear weapons.
- Ernest's Cassara's explanation that democracy and capitalism are not the same thing.
- Lawrence Velvel's review of James Risen's State of War.
- A full array in "Potpourri" including Milton Mayer's explanation of how an electorate can be led down the primrose path.
- Tom Asher's poem about being invisible.
- Neil Turner's review of Mrs. Miniver.
- A review of Good Night and Good Luck.
- John Turner's thoughts about corruption in politics.
- Plus, last week's developments in politics, a sampling from television, humor about husbands and wives, and a report from a literary society in Vermont.
- Lawrence Velvel's thoughts on the Libby leaks.
- Tom Absher's poem about how one tree can matter.
- A review of the recent film made after Pride and Prejudice.
- Neil Turner's take on a dark comedy.
- Comments about political developments last week, including the arguments federal attorneys have been making in the courts.
- Ernest Cassara on Republican talking points and notions of "responsibility."
- Notice of some of last week's television offerings.
- John Turner's questions about what we mean by "democracy" and "freedom."
- Sim Prystowsky's response to Ernest Cassara on Hamas
- Ernest Cassara on democracy and arrogance
- Lawrence Velvel on a constitutional coup d'etat
- Tom Absher's poem on quietness
- A humorous verse about God's diet.
- A review of the recent film, Glory Road
- Neil Turner's review of Flightplan
- John Turner on the self-knowledge of Americans
- Plus, Potpourri, Wisdom from Polonius, developments last week, samples from TV Land, and a brief correspondence on the continuation of racism in America
- Jerome Richard's thoughts on the legacy of the Berkeley student movement
- Ernest Cassara on the democratic empowerment of Hamas
- Lawrence Velvel on the place of 9/11 in American history
- Tom Absher on the standing stones of Great Britain
- Neil Turner's review of Lord of War
- A review of Syriana
- John Turner's argument that we're making too much of the president and the presidency
- Plus wisdom selected by Polonius, Potpourri, significant political developments of the past week, a survey of television programs, and a small joke
- Dean Velvel's revelations about medical ghost writing
- Sherwood Ross's instructions on how to teach a two year old to read.
- Tom Absher's thoughts about his poem, "Books."
- Neil Turner's review of Junebug.
- A review of The Squid and the Whale.
- John Turner's commentary about the difference between the world's and America's view of international violence.
- Plus wisdom from Polonius, last week's significant developments, and a sampling of the past week in television
- You Can't Beat Somebody With Nobody - Lawrence R. Velvel
- From Liberty Street: Bush's Dream
- Significance for the Long Run: Developments Last Week
- From the Video Shop: Yesterday
- Last Week in TV Land
- A Message from the New Managing Editor
- From Liberty Street: Terror in Vermont by John R. Turner
- The Harvard Square Observer: Alito on the Bench / Potpourri: Our Generous Public Officials / Pill Popping America
- Pentagon Expands Payoffs to Middle East Reporters by Sherwood Ross
- The Dream of Martin Luther King Jr. - delivered August 28,1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
- 1914 by Wilfred Owen
- Wisdom from Polonius
- From Liberty Street: Trilogy of Evil by John R. Turner
- The Harvard Square Observer: Whittling Away at Our Liberty / Potpourri
- The Fifth Humor: ID is Really Funny by Larry Hamby
- The Souls of Black Folk, by W.E.B. Du Bois, from Project Gutenberg
- Letters to the Editor
- From Liberty Street: Time and Its Uses by John R. Turner
- The Harvard Square Observer: Civics 101 / Potpourri
- Essay: Any Man who Hates Dogs and Children Can’t Be All Bad - The Career of W. C. Fields by Larry Hamby
- Our History of Violence by James K. A. Smith
- The Wit and Wisdom of Tom DeLay
- Jesus on Prayer at Football Games, Graduations, etc.
- Letters to the Editor
- Invictus by William Ernest Henley
- Wisdom from Polonius
Articles may be quoted or republished in full with attribution
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HARVARD SQUARE COMMENTARY
A Political, Social, Literary Journal
