American Civilization

What makes an effective leader? People in America and France right now are thinking about what determines effective leadership. The American president is facing criticism from all sides with his poll numbers reflecting the lack of support for him and his policies. Regardless of the particular poll, Bush’s approval ratings are low and his disapproval [...]

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For the last 15 years in San Francisco there’s been a regular  event on the last Friday of the month.   It’s called Critical Mass.  During the event cyclists take to the streets.  There are a couple of reasons for staging Critical Mass: for fun, of course, and also to remind drivers of cars to share [...]

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The English word « spin » can be both a verb and a noun. As a noun, it also has a slang definition: a particular viewpoint or bias, especially in the media; slant. Example: They tried to put a favorable spin on the news coverage of the controversial speech. Ironically, there was a bit of divergence today [...]

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I was glad to see that the results of the French elections were in our local newspaper. Here’s the story from the San Francisco Chronicle.

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I know that many of us have spent the week trying to understand America’s passion for guns:  is it due to a “cowboy” mentality?  an image of a “lawless West”?  a sacred belief in the Bill of Rights? Or, is the motivation something quite a bit more prosaic?  Like making money?  Do you know the [...]

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It seems that life on the campus is slowly returning to normal, if « normal » will ever be possible again. Read the latest words of the students in their campus newspaper the Collegiate Times.

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This morning at 5:12 a.m. marked the 101st anniversary of the earthquake and fire which nearly destroyed San Francisco in 1906. The earthquake’s magnitude was believed to be anywhere from a 7.8 to an 8.3 on the Richter scale. The quake ruptured the land both northward and southward along the San Andreas Fault for a [...]

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Read what the students at Virginia Tech have to say in their student newspaper, the Collegiate Times.

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Of course, I’m saddened by the events at Virginia Tech.  But, as I take an inventory of my feelings, I must admit that I find quite a number of other emotions there as well, especially anger and worry.  I’m angry that there’s been yet another homicidal event on an American campus.  I’m angry that the [...]

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Well, I didn’t know that French intelligence had warned the CIA until I read it in today’s San Francisco Chronicle. Take a look at the story.        

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