When I started writing about assertive living — a philosophy I call “martialism,” which isn’t militaristic despite what the name implies — I stressed heavily the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries. Boundaries establish your expectations of other people. It’s a question of mutual respect: If you establish and then defend certain guidelines for... »
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Pummeled by Special Interests, TSA Reverses Changes to Small Blade Restrictions
After roughly three months of contentious argument, the Transportation Security Administration announced Wednesday that it was reversing its decision to allow certain small knives aboard planes. While discussion over just how to screen passengers for maximum security benefit continues, passengers will not be able... »
I Dreamed An Entire Coming-Of-Age Boxing Movie
Last night I dreamed an entire coming-of-age boxing movie. Start to end, complete with a plot arc and a humorous ending suitable for end-credits. The film was obviously very derivative of The Karate Kid, Never Back Down, School Ties, and Warrior, and was leaning... »
“Hold Your Fire, On I’m Facebook!”
A 31-year-old upstate New York man who held police at bay for nearly 12 hours apparently was updating his Twitter and Facebook postings during the standoff, officials said. Police... »
Thomas Harris, Knife Fighter’s Mange, and the Flicket
Graham looked thoughtfully at the marred muscular forearms, the dot of adhesive in the crook of the elbow, the shaved patch where Randy had tested the edge of his... »
Steel Dawn
The 1987 film “Steel Dawn” is a masterpiece of filmmaking. It is not a masterpiece because it is well done, for it isn’t. It is not a masterpiece because... »