Read more about the article Saturday morning cartoons are no more. A sad day for someone whose 27 year friendship may have been predicated on a Saturday morning cartoon theme song.

Saturday morning cartoons are no more. A sad day for someone whose 27 year friendship may have been predicated on a Saturday morning cartoon theme song.

For the first time in 50-plus years, you won't find a block of animation on broadcast this morning. Saturday morning cartoons are over. It's the end of an era. I’m…

Continue ReadingSaturday morning cartoons are no more. A sad day for someone whose 27 year friendship may have been predicated on a Saturday morning cartoon theme song.
Read more about the article There can only be one explanation for a Republican campaign ad as sexist and stupid as this.

There can only be one explanation for a Republican campaign ad as sexist and stupid as this.

I suspect that the Republican Party has been infiltrated by some undercover Democratic strategists who have convinced them that stupid, sexist political ads are effective. There can be no other…

Continue ReadingThere can only be one explanation for a Republican campaign ad as sexist and stupid as this.
Read more about the article Is it wrong for me to find this Wallkill Mighty Mites clip nearly as entertaining as the Patriots victory over the Bengals?

Is it wrong for me to find this Wallkill Mighty Mites clip nearly as entertaining as the Patriots victory over the Bengals?

The New England Patriots' 43-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night was the highlight of my weekend, and it gave my students reason to celebrate. I’m never in…

Continue ReadingIs it wrong for me to find this Wallkill Mighty Mites clip nearly as entertaining as the Patriots victory over the Bengals?
Read more about the article Let’s put an end to the Miss America pageant by making anyone who watches it feel small and stupid and uninformed.

Let’s put an end to the Miss America pageant by making anyone who watches it feel small and stupid and uninformed.

John Oliver’s takedown of the Miss America pageant on HBO’s Last Week Tonight was brilliant. The Miss America pageant is admittedly an easy target, but Oliver’s segment is both surgical…

Continue ReadingLet’s put an end to the Miss America pageant by making anyone who watches it feel small and stupid and uninformed.
Read more about the article I have never used an em dash. I don’t even know how to make an em dash. But you can still find them in my books.

I have never used an em dash. I don’t even know how to make an em dash. But you can still find them in my books.

Noreen Malone of Slate argues against the em dash. The problem with the dash—as you may have noticed!—is that it discourages truly efficient writing. It also—and this might be its…

Continue ReadingI have never used an em dash. I don’t even know how to make an em dash. But you can still find them in my books.