Although by now most everyone knows what LGBT stands for (and many even know the expanded LGBTQQIA), it is clear that the transgender community has not reached anywhere near the levels of acceptance that the gay and lesbian (or even bisexual) community has. They still face all manner of serious discrimination, apart from the other complications of living in a society that is not being prepared to deal with this issue. [Read more…]

I have written before that I find the practice of tipping to be distasteful, since it seems to encourage servile behavior and has overtones of the master-servant relationship. Of course, I still tip 20% because the people doing those jobs are almost never paid a decent salary and need the tips to survive. But I wish that they were paid decent wages and benefits so that they were not dependent on tips to make a living. [Read more…]

Watch this dramatic video from security cameras of a narrow escape by two people and a dog from a runaway car that was careening along the sidewalk behind them. What tipped off one of the people to look back and see the danger was the signal given by the guide dog.

You can read the full story here.

When the original NASA Mercury program to train astronauts was set up, a group of women who wanted to be part of the program were subjected to the same physical tests as the men. The result? [Read more…]

Whenever I have seen a ship being launched in the past, it has always slid into the water stern first and it is usually pretty smooth and graceful. In this video, the ship was launched sideways and went into the water like a diver’s belly flop, splashing water over a vast area that not only soaked spectators who tried to run away but sent debris flying dangerously toward them. It is a wonder no one was hurt. For a moment I thought that the ship had actually capsized. [Read more…]

This is a dog that has clearly been carefully observing how the people in the house accompany themselves on the piano. I have no idea if Baxter the Wonder Dog does something similar when I am out of the house. In that case, it would mean sitting in my favorite chair and reading the books on the side table.

Jonathan Turley has been rightly ranting for some time about judges who come up with novel sentences meant to humiliate the convicted. This risks making the judiciary a laughing stock. Recently he heighted this disgraceful display by a judge in the Cleveland Municipal Court system. [Read more…]

As regular readers know, I blog on a fairly predictable schedule, each day consisting of a fairly longish think piece first thing, followed by two or three shorter items. I choose to do it this way because I like having a routine and these self-imposed demands help me maintain a writing discipline, while enabling me to also do my job and live the rest of my life. [Read more…]

I am a conscientious reader of Miss Manners, the weekly column on etiquette by Judith Martin. What I like about her is that although she can tell you all the arcane rules, she is by no means a prig emphasizing rules for their own sake. Her main emphasis is on the role that manners play in being gracious and kind and considerate of others, and how it can smooth the rough edges that can arise in social interactions. She is sharp and funny and can be quite acerbic, especially when asked for advice about what to do with nosy or rude people. This recent column illustrates all these qualities. [Read more…]

I will be traveling for the next few days to attend my daughter’s graduation. Internet access will be spotty so blogging will be sporadic.