Students at Rutgers have succeeded in getting former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to walk away from an invitation to give the commencement address at graduation. The protestors deemed her unfit because of her involvement in President’s Bush foreign policy, specifically the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Three years ago the school gave Snooki of the Jersey Shore TV program $32,000 to speak. I wonder if the same students would reject anyone from the Obama administration because of drone strikes. I’d bet there’s as much a chance of that as there is of a rocker writing a protest song about the issue. Selective outrage has become all the rage, especially in academic circles. In an op-ed piece in today’s NY Post, Rich Lowry cites a phrase previously unfamiliar to me and now frequently espoused on campuses: “Check your privilege.” It is aimed at whites, an injunction against political incorrectness or insensitivity to the plight of those less fortunate.
The return of 24 did not disappoint. It was a fast moving two hours. I particularly enjoyed the casting of Hollywood veteran William Devane as the President battling the initial stages of Alzheimer’s. Also on the prime time TV front: Is ABC’s Castle winding up? Last night’s episode had Kate Beckett finally nailing the corrupt politician who murdered her mom, a journalist. I suppose the evidence can turn out to be inadmissible, but I don’t know how the guy would be able to continue his run for President. I think Castle and The Mentalist, both fun, don’t have much to offer any more. Maybe the two series should combine for a double wedding grand finale.
Roberto and Luis were covering the tree plots and garden with black mulch today. I thank them for working around my usual nook until the last possible moment, allowing the floating book shop to do some business, despite the vomit-like odor of the stuff that had some passersby covering noses. The area does look more attractive, though. My thanks also to Jen, who swapped a bag of books for two by her favorite author, Emily Giffin. Hers included historical fiction, classics and non-fiction. And spasibo to Natalia and Benedict, who donated a "dee-tec-teeve" novel in Russian, which another of my regulars purchased. I got rid of a lot of weight, selling four large pictorials to a couple of appreciative ladies.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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