“A huge translation of hypocrisy,(Love’s Labours Lost, act 5, sc. 2)
If it were possible to invent a hypocrisiometer (hypocrisy meter), from now to the day of Mandela’s funeral, the indicator would go out of range. Still, a virtual measurement that would demonstrate a few truths, however self-evident, and dealt with here not in order of importance.
“Who has a book of all that monarchs do,
He’s more secure to keep it shut, than shown.
For vice repeated’s like the wandering wind,
Blows dust in others’ eyes, to spread itself.”
(Pericles, act 1, sc. 1)
As Dr. Johnson noted, the “industry of observation has divided the most miscellaneous and confused assemblages into proper classes”. For example, the entomologist ranges the insects of the summer, that torment us with their punctures and stings, by their several tribes.
The persecutors of truth may be likewise comfortably distinguished Continue reading
“Do they all deny her? An they were sons of mine, I’d have them whipped; or I would send them to the Turk, to make eunuchs of.“(All’s Well That Ends Well, act 2, sc. 5)
When it became known that Switzerland would hold a referendum – limiting the spread between the lowest and the highest paid employees of the same company – many across the world felt that it was about time.
Here is (was) an intelligent people, living in a highly civilized country, finally realizing the absurd consequences of runaway capitalism. Namely, that the extreme concentration Continue reading
“Myself had notice of your conventicles –And all to make away my guiltless life” (King Henry VI.part 2, act 3, sc. 1)
The assassination of President Kennedy in November 22, 1963 and the catastrophe of Sep 11, 2001 are events biblical, or even apocalyptic, in scope and in history – but they have some common characteristics.
The dynamics of the cases are inexplicable, Continue reading
“…in a word,(Merchant of Venice, act 3, sc. 2)
The 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg address has prompted many to explain its significance and to celebrate Lincoln’s sainthood. Which is not entirely accurate, in that Lincoln is more than a saint. He is for America what Zeus was for the Greeks. And while Zeus lived on Mt. Olympus, Lincoln stands in a new Parthenon sitting on a throne, in Washington, DC.
He is also immortalized in Disneyland’s Mount Rushmore, Continue reading
“…is it sin(Antony and Cleopatra, act 4)
According to current statistics 22 US Veterans commit suicide daily! Recently, the New York Times published the suicide note of Daniel Somers, a 30-year-old war veteran from Phoenix, Arizona who shot himself in the head on June 10, 2013 four years after the end of his second deployment in Iraq. Continue reading
“How quickly nature falls into revolt,King Henry IV part 2, act 4, sc. 4
SAC Capital Advisors, one of the most profitable hedge funds in history, pleaded guilty to security and wire fraud charges last week.
SAC carried out insider trading “on a scale without known precedent”, according to the prosecution. The firm built its entire business model on carrying out massive bets on corporate securities, many of which were based on illegally obtained secrets. To cover-up illegal activities, instant message records were wiped out every 36 hours and emails deleted after one month. Continue reading
“That time of year thou mayst in me behold(SON 73)
Autumn, the bright solemn fading of the year – a metaphor for old age… and a reminder that “All that lives, must die, passing through nature to eternity” (Hamlet).
Yet, who has not spared a moment or spent a thought, wondering why the beauty of Autumn should be so connected and linked to the mystical End. There will be other leaves next Spring but Continue reading
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,(Hamlet 1.3)
Relatively few people know of the War of 1812, even in the United States. Or rather they may know of the song “The Battle of New Orleans”, a hit of 1959 which commemorated a battle won by the Americans when the peace treaty had already been signed in Ghent (Belgium) on Christmas Eve of 1814. Continue reading
“Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls(King Richard III, act 5, sc.3)
Each year, on or around the 12th of October, the United States celebrate the discovery of America. It is Columbus Day. In countless clubs and institutions citizens stand up and, with a hand on their heart and an eye on the American flag, Continue reading