The Conscience of Abe’s Turn freedom of speech, defense, and life

As you can probably tell, I’m trying to keep it light this week. Here’s a Penn Says video about Penn’s dinner with a pornographer. The question of the evening: why might a woman act in an adult film? And an interesting possible explanation:  read more »

Under the heading of “Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?” is this funny video Radley Balko posted on his blog. Hey, at least the cop said he was sorry.

Always watching!
-TimK

To those who say, “Why are you always criticizing America?” I have a simple answer: I don’t know. Why are you always destroying it?

I’m pro-America. I’m just anti-Washington. Sometimes, I think our politicians are pro-Washington and anti-America. (Inspired by Yes, Minister, episode 12.)

If actions speak louder than words, here’s what politicians tell us: I’m all for free speech, just as long as my speech is freer than yours. And freedom is the liberty to do what I tell you to.  read more »

Hey, you. Clyde here.

I’ve been working way too hard this week. And you know how I love to cook. So tonight I felt like slaving over a hot stove for hours.

Not!

Sometimes I like to just make something fast, really fast, and easy. Because as much as I love to cook, after a long day at work (or a long week!) I just want to make something fast. But not soup from a can. (Blech.) So tonight, I threw together one of my simple standbys. It’s a really simple American Chop Suey that you can make in less than a half-hour.  read more »

Hey, you. Clyde here.

Well, this is my first blog post. I’m not really a writer, but Tim asked us to post once in a while. So he set up a blog for each of us at the Abe’s Turn web site, and left me with the job of showing everyone how to use it! (Gee, thanks, Tim. Like I’m not busy enough as it is.) (Just kidding.)  read more »

The last part in Magazine Man’s story about how his first-grade son got detention for doing the right thing, and the kids of his class stood up for him (or sat in, rather).

And then yesterday, Wednesday, just before lunchtime, Principal Wolfman appeared in the classroom doorway, newly returned from wherever the hell he’d been. With him was Mr. Assouline, now once more just a vice principal and Dean of Discipline. They stood around silently until all the other kids left for lunch and recess, then the principal turned to his vice and said, “Mr. Assouline?” …  read more »

Part 5 in Magazine Man’s story about how his first-grade son got detention for doing the right thing, and how he fought the system, and won a phyrric victory. But…

“This is Junu Kim. Jackie, my little girl, she is in class with Thomas… Thomas is a good boy. He is a good friend to Jackie. She talks very much at home but not at school. Thomas is very kind to her.”

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“Isn’t that great?” I said. “See? Andrew didn’t get away with it. The bad guys don’t always win.”  read more »

Part 4 in Magazine Man’s story about how his first-grade son got detention for doing the right thing, and how he fought the system.

“Are you shittin’ me? Detention? For trippin’ somebody?” my Dad exclaimed. When he gets excited, he often forgets to curb his profanity around the kids. Did I say often? Make that always.

I sat down on the stairs and went into eavesdrop mode…

“McGruff says you have to help your friends get away from bullies. Did they have McGruff at your school?”  read more »

Part 3 in Magazine Man’s story about how his first-grade son got detention for doing the right thing, and how he fought the system.

“Still locked. No one here yet.”

I turned. “Not even Mr. Assouline?” I asked.

The custodian shook his head. “Not yet. I’d a known, cos I’d a hadda let him in.”

I sighed and took a seat—a very tiny seat—outside the office…  read more »

Part 2 in Magazine Man’s story about how his first-grade son got detention for doing the right thing.

“You have reached the Dean of Discipline’s voicemail. Please leave your name and message and he will return your call soon.” Beep. I left a message, but it seemed to me this wasn’t even the guy’s number, just a mailbox in the system. Yep, not a caller, but a stonewaller.

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