By Ann Ivins “K. S. O’Krien†asks: Why is it that women spend so much time on looks and fashion? Jesus, “K. S.†You’re lucky you didn’t ask Naomi Wolf that question. […]
The Never-Ending Presidential Campaign: What's it cost us?
You’ve probably noticed a relatively new phenomenon in American politics: The Never-Ending Presidential Campaign. (Might make a good animated flick, eh?) And you’ve likely thought Gee, this has been going on for-evuh. […]
My tribute to warriors on Memorial Day
by JS O’Brien War has to be the strangest human institution. It brings out the the most brutal territorial animal and tribal human in us. It also showcases extremes of selflessness, courage, and […]
Hell on earth? How about hell in heaven?

Suffocated by your family? It could be worse in the afterlife. That we’ll be “greeted by loved ones” at death has become conventional wisdom these days. It’s especially common among those who […]
'I'll stand up to those special interests.' Really? How?
We are all going to die. When we do, an industry with 100,000 employees will annually collect about $11 billion in revenue from our survivors, who presumably love us and wish to […]
Quotabull
Hhaing The Yu, 29, in rain falling on the ruins of his home, in a township outside Yangon, Myanmar. This is not about politics; it is about saving people’s lives. There is […]
U.S. population to hit 1 billion in 2100, prof says
It’s often difficult to get the attention of my students. But when I told them that it’s possible that a few of them would see the year 2100, and that most of […]
What does Sean Bell's acquittal say about how we should judge police?
by JS O’Brien I predicted three weeks ago that the cops who killed Sean Bell and wounded his friends in a 50-shot barrage would be acquitted. Given the burden of proof on […]
Screw the hints. Here's why really bright kids steer clear of most state universities
by JS O’Brien By overwhelming, popular demand (and if you haven’t met Doc Slammy, you don’t know the meaning of the word “overwhelming”), here is a point-by-point translation of Lena Antman’s letter […]
Want to know why so many really bright kids forego a state U education?
by JS O’Brien The top students at my local high schools attend college at places like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, CalTech, Stanford, Amherst, Swarthmore, Williams, and the like. They often pay exorbitant […]