ORSON WELLES ON DIRECTING PART 1
LAST TUESDAY, MAY 6, WAS ORSON WELLES’ BIRTHDAY. A capsule retrospective on Sirius “Radio Classics” encouraged me to learn more about this genius of theater, radio, and film. Of special … Continue reading
ALAS, KISS OFF VOICE OF AMERICA
WE COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING: David Folkenflik reports in NPR, May 7, 2025, “Kari Lake Says OAN‘s Far-Right Coverage Will Fuel Voice of America.” What’s worse, see below for … Continue reading
A.I. HALLUCINATIONS ON THE RISE
I KINDA SAW THIS COMING with Google searches occasionally offering corrupted versions of SimanaitisSays comments: “Dennis Simanaitis says Benito Mussolini and Ercole Boratto won the 1936 Mille Miglia,” or some … Continue reading
AIN’T SHE A REAL MOTHER?
THERE ARE TIMES THAT MOTHER NATURE displays a perverse sense of irony. Take Eriodictyon parryi, the poodle-dog bush. Then again, NO! DON’T TOUCH! A poodle-dog bush flower cluster, the aroma … Continue reading
EXCESS VERBOSITY? NO, JUST VERACITY
“AUTOMOBILE BROCHURES,” R&T CLAIMED, “ARE ALMOST AS WELL ENDOWED WITH SUPERLATIVES as is the publicity for a Hollywood movie production, and about as accurate.” This and following images from R&T … Continue reading
ON PAGANISM VERSUS HUMANISM
DAVID BROOKS OFFERS AN OPINION PIECE “How to Survive the Trump Years With Your Spirit Intact,” The New York Times, May 1, 2025. Here are tidbits gleaned from his thoughtful … Continue reading
THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE—OPERA AND OTHERWISE PART 2
YESTERDAY IN PART 1 WE FOCUSED ON THE HORRIFIC REALITY of the now appropriately named Exonerated Five. Today we turn to the operatic production The Central Park Five, particularly as … Continue reading
THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE—REALITY AND OPERA PART 1
FOR THOSE WITH POOR MEMORIES, LIVING UNDER A ROCK, OR FOLLOWING SOLELY MAGA SOURCES, the Central Park Five, known today as the Exonerated Five, may require telling: It’s an egregious … Continue reading
“WE FINALLY HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO FOLLOWS SCIENCE”
THIS, FROM WHITE HOUSE.GOV. What unmitigated clap-trap! What proof of ego-pandering lies! Above, the lead page for which we taxpayers paid. Image from The White House, April 22, 2025. Below, … Continue reading
BIG, BEAUTIFUL AND BRUTISH—DEFINITELY NOT FOR THE IMPECUNIOUS NOR THE FAINT OF HEART
“FERRARI,” R&T RECOUNTED IN DECEMBER 1962, “IS A MAGIC NAME, epitomized by automotive writers as a sort of 4-wheeled Holy Grail, to be sought after with fervor, worshipped in blind … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 