Saturday, January 07, 2006
'The outlaw sea': A quickie Hub Blog book review gives William Langewiesche's 'The Outlaw Sea' a solid thumbs up. The first spotlight review on Amazon is spot on with its praise and small digs. ... Langewiesche is author of 'American Ground: Unbuilding of the World Trade Center.' ... Next up: Nathaniel Philbrick's new book 'Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War.' I got an advance copy and can't wait to read it, especially the part about King Phillip's War and especially after reading Philbrick's classic 'In the Heart of the Sea.' Philbrick, a Nantucket resident and National Book Award winner, likes his local history and we can all be glad for it.
'With tears welling up in his eyes,' Part III: The spinning continues in the Murphy girls tragedy. Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte has "no idea" why Tom Reilly called him, while Conte also takes swipes at Northborough police chief Mark Leahy, whose star isn't shining as bright. ... I now agree with Reader No. 1: I'm not sure this is going to play out into a big issue. Talking to people yesterday, I sensed they understand what Reilly did was both decent and stupid. I.e. it'll be a wash and not a severe blow to Reilly -- though voters do mentally file such things away and recall them later when a politician does another stupid thing. In that sense, Reilly has been hurt.
Update -- The sad affair brings to mind a pet-peeve: 'The ongoing Prohibition.' Society is literally forcing kids to secretly drink at modern teen speakeasies, without any adult guidance or supervision. And any parental attempt at guidance and supervision -- whether at an adults-sponsored party or at the dinner table -- is illegal. Our drinking laws are ludicrous, counterproductive and deadly.
'With tears welling up in his eyes,' Part III: The spinning continues in the Murphy girls tragedy. Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte has "no idea" why Tom Reilly called him, while Conte also takes swipes at Northborough police chief Mark Leahy, whose star isn't shining as bright. ... I now agree with Reader No. 1: I'm not sure this is going to play out into a big issue. Talking to people yesterday, I sensed they understand what Reilly did was both decent and stupid. I.e. it'll be a wash and not a severe blow to Reilly -- though voters do mentally file such things away and recall them later when a politician does another stupid thing. In that sense, Reilly has been hurt.
Update -- The sad affair brings to mind a pet-peeve: 'The ongoing Prohibition.' Society is literally forcing kids to secretly drink at modern teen speakeasies, without any adult guidance or supervision. And any parental attempt at guidance and supervision -- whether at an adults-sponsored party or at the dinner table -- is illegal. Our drinking laws are ludicrous, counterproductive and deadly.
