This week in 1954, the U.S. Senate voted 67 to 22 in favor to “condemn” paranoid, communist-hunting Senator Joseph McCarthy for “conduct that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute.” Because the resolution used the seemingly unenforceable term condemn rather than censure, McCarthy’s supporters on the Senate floor erupted into laughter. Within moments, … Continue reading
From the perspective of New Yorkers who witnessed the World Trade Center attacks and then pitched in to rebuild the city, if not the country, in its wake, the War on Terror made a lot of sense. If anything, the “war” seemed a day late and a dollar short. But wait a minute! Studies indicate … Continue reading
“You’ve got to find some way of saying it without saying it.” Duke Ellington, born this day in 1899
“Donald and Ivana Exploit Their Divorce for Pizza Hut” ***
Zoologist once agreed that the last dodo bird died in 1861. ***
Read the horrific demands of the Equal Rights Amendment! Continue reading
This week in 1954, one man had the courage to stand up for a nation. Luckily, it was captured on tape. Courage is grace under pressure. ~Ernest Hemingway *** For more on the dark side of television’s Golden Age, check out Lester & Charlie’s new book: ***
In 2004 we made a video when the words “We have come to take our country back” scared us to death. We heard that before. So did the veterans of WWII. Now we’re hearing it again. Now we’re posting it again. Stand up. ***
When will history learn that we repeat ourselves? Watch a clip of this 1950s television Western, where a man named Trump comes to town and promises to solve everyone’s problems by building a wall. Spoiler alert: Didn’t work that time, either. ***
GIMME SHELTER Though Kit’s body was removed promptly from Harlem’s Morningside Park after he hanged himself from a tree, no one bothered for about four years to take down the neon-orange rope he used to make the noose. Not many in the neighborhood noticed the rope over those years. Two did. They were a typical … Continue reading
“My left leg is Christmas. Come up and see me between the holidays.” ~Mae West
THE CHORUS GIRL AND HER PROUD TROOPS OF WOUNDED VETS This is an excerpt from Lester & Charlie’s new book project that profiles men and women who transitioned from careers in show business to changing the world through progressive social action. GENNA GRIFFITH Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Vets, New York City Genna finished studying … Continue reading
