Archive for the 'criticism' Category

$1.2 Million Dollars Is Not a Lot. Relatively Speaking, That Is.

Posted by Brendan on July 14th, 2008 filed in criticism, random

My father and I got into a bit of a disagreement over Charles Rangel’s recent publicity problems. Actually, he cut off the discussion before it could get underway, which is probably for the best.
Apparently, Rangel has a number of rent-controlled apartments in Harlem. I have no problem with that if it’s legal, although [...]

Read More..>>

A Realist, Not a Cynic

Posted by Brendan on July 12th, 2008 filed in big business as usual, blogs, criticism, direct action, elections, politics

“But the larger point is that you can’t bring yourself to make any distinctions between any of these groups. You’ve given up.
I actually wrote the Four Lethal Cynicisms for you.
–Booman
The Four Lethal Cynicisms:
The first lethal cynicism is the conviction that the people are too stupid, too susceptible, and too selfish to be counted upon [...]

Read More..>>

Credit Where Credit is Due

Posted by Brendan on June 2nd, 2008 filed in blogs, criticism, writing

My brother has dogged Larry Johnson days and days and days on end. Relentless!
So why is his scoop being attributed 100% to Booman Tribune?
Don’t get me wrong: I’m psyched that BMT, whose publisher is a good friend of mine, points out the mendacity and clownishness of the now thoroughly discredited team of Larry and [...]

Read More..>>

Christine Flowers is Hammurabi

Posted by Brendan on April 1st, 2008 filed in Philadelphia, calling bullshit, crime, criticism, media, right wing dingalings

There was a horrible killing last week in the subway: a bunch of kids beat up a random stranger, who had a fatal asthma attack and died.
Everybody duck, because if there’s one thing that calls up the Howler Monkey known as Christine Flowers, it’s a senseless act of violence. And how does Christine Flowers [...]

Read More..>>

Oh For the Love Of…

Posted by Brendan on March 14th, 2008 filed in comics, criticism

I haven’t blogged much about For Better or For Worse lately, since it’s kind of become a this weird hybrid of repeats and strips not written by Lynn Johnston, but yesterday’s “Marriage of Liz and Anthony” strip just takes the cake for ridiculousness.
To recap a bit: Granthony and Liz have been carrying on this completely [...]

Read More..>>

Obama

Posted by Brendan on February 20th, 2008 filed in calling bullshit, criticism, left wing dingalings

If you type the word “Obama” into the search window to your right, a number of highly critical, negative pieces come up about the candidate. It’s no secret that Obama’s not my first choice for President. However, my feelings about Clinton, and the kind of politics she represents makes the choice easy. I [...]

Read More..>>

It’s a Jeff.

Posted by Brendan on November 28th, 2007 filed in comics, criticism

It took me awhile, but I believe today’s strip is a Jeff (although the ink may have been done by Bil).
It’s the caption that gives it away. Bil Keane, a Philadelphia native, is a fairly devout man, but a sucker for an easy gag and, with the exception of the truly execrable and unfortunately [...]

Read More..>>

Bil and Jeff, Again

Posted by Brendan on November 27th, 2007 filed in comics, criticism

I’m stumped as to whether this strip is a Bil or a Jeff. On the one hand, the perspective is so bizarre, so distorted, it could only be a Bil. On the other, the “word-bubble/caption” setup is more in line with Jeff’s work. And what to say about the interior, shaded half-assed with [...]

Read More..>>

Classic Bil Keane

Posted by Brendan on November 25th, 2007 filed in comedy gold!, comics, criticism

Every since Bil Keane started handing over the reins to Family Circus to his eldest son, I’ve enjoyed playing an occasional game called “Jeff or Bil” in which you guess who wrote the strip of the day. In this case there’s no question of Bil’s authorship.
Never mind the pabulum gagline. Just marvel [...]

Read More..>>

A Failure to Communicate? Or a Refusal to Understand?

Posted by Brendan on September 30th, 2007 filed in anger, criticism, family

Sigh. My mother’s request that I invite my sister to my house for Thanksgiving has opened up a whole can of worms. Unfortunately, my father is doing his best imitation of a Democratic senator or a right-wing hack: I’m not sure which.
The issue is easy to understand: my sister threw an adult version [...]

Read More..>>
Become a StrangeBedfellow!