@joshuatanzer.bsky.social
Not only that, he had a degree in theology and was a Presbyterian minister. And I think he always displayed the best Christian values on his show without ever having to say that’s what they were. Which is something I could appreciate as a Jewish kid growing up at the time.
(Wikipedia screenshot:)
(Wikipedia screenshot:)
December 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Not only that, he had a degree in theology and was a Presbyterian minister. And I think he always displayed the best Christian values on his show without ever having to say that’s what they were. Which is something I could appreciate as a Jewish kid growing up at the time.
(Wikipedia screenshot:)
(Wikipedia screenshot:)
Bull Durham is #1 for me.
A movie most people probably don’t know called Sugar is #2. An absolutely great baseball movie.
A movie most people probably don’t know called Sugar is #2. An absolutely great baseball movie.
November 22, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Bull Durham is #1 for me.
A movie most people probably don’t know called Sugar is #2. An absolutely great baseball movie.
A movie most people probably don’t know called Sugar is #2. An absolutely great baseball movie.
Meanwhile, Zohran doesn’t support him. I’m confused.
November 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Meanwhile, Zohran doesn’t support him. I’m confused.
It reminds me of this great correction from a profile of Rush Limbaugh in 1993.
November 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It reminds me of this great correction from a profile of Rush Limbaugh in 1993.
Oooh, that reminds me of a book that probably nobody had read called Flames At Midnight, by Monte Akers, which is the story of a lynching in Texas that people in a town knew about but didn’t talk about. Really good.
November 19, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Oooh, that reminds me of a book that probably nobody had read called Flames At Midnight, by Monte Akers, which is the story of a lynching in Texas that people in a town knew about but didn’t talk about. Really good.
WILD SWANS: THREE DAUGHTERS OF CHINA, by Jung Chang. The author tells the story of her grandmother’s life in the foot-binding era, her mother’s life in the revolutionary era, and her own life. Any time I recommend this book online, multiple people say, omg, yes, what a great book.
November 19, 2025 at 11:39 PM
WILD SWANS: THREE DAUGHTERS OF CHINA, by Jung Chang. The author tells the story of her grandmother’s life in the foot-binding era, her mother’s life in the revolutionary era, and her own life. Any time I recommend this book online, multiple people say, omg, yes, what a great book.
K BLOWS TOP, by Peter Carlson. An incredibly fun account of Nikita Khrushchev’s tour of the US.
November 19, 2025 at 11:29 PM
K BLOWS TOP, by Peter Carlson. An incredibly fun account of Nikita Khrushchev’s tour of the US.
Yes, that's what a lot of people thought, and still think. (Even though they literally promised "mass deportations.")
November 6, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Yes, that's what a lot of people thought, and still think. (Even though they literally promised "mass deportations.")
The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick. I read it in my twenties and I found it in my local used bookstore and thought I would read it again. I've been drawn to books and movies about living under fascism lately. No particular reason.
November 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick. I read it in my twenties and I found it in my local used bookstore and thought I would read it again. I've been drawn to books and movies about living under fascism lately. No particular reason.
Just finishing THE BEAN TREES by Barbara Kingsolver, 1988, a random pickup at our local used bookstore. Very good.
I’m also in the middle of Kamala’s book. It’s a bore.
I’m also in the middle of Kamala’s book. It’s a bore.
October 25, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Just finishing THE BEAN TREES by Barbara Kingsolver, 1988, a random pickup at our local used bookstore. Very good.
I’m also in the middle of Kamala’s book. It’s a bore.
I’m also in the middle of Kamala’s book. It’s a bore.
When I had a cat named Nigel, I sang “Nigel” to the tune of The Temptations’ “My Girl.” He was a happy boy and liked adventures.
October 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
When I had a cat named Nigel, I sang “Nigel” to the tune of The Temptations’ “My Girl.” He was a happy boy and liked adventures.
My understanding has always been that fascism (symbolized by "fasces," the axe wrapped in a bundle of rods for added strength) refers to the consolidation of all institutions of society under absolute control of the supreme leader — govt, military, industry, media, education, religion, and so forth.
September 24, 2025 at 9:16 PM
My understanding has always been that fascism (symbolized by "fasces," the axe wrapped in a bundle of rods for added strength) refers to the consolidation of all institutions of society under absolute control of the supreme leader — govt, military, industry, media, education, religion, and so forth.
Yep. Got my e-mail a couple hours ago. I already planned to cancel when this month runs out.
September 24, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Yep. Got my e-mail a couple hours ago. I already planned to cancel when this month runs out.
I was going to prove you wrong with the story of how Pol Pot stopped his reign of terror because a child gave him a cookie, but ChatGPT got all moralistic on me.
September 16, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I was going to prove you wrong with the story of how Pol Pot stopped his reign of terror because a child gave him a cookie, but ChatGPT got all moralistic on me.
I’m disappointed in myself for not going in.
September 9, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I’m disappointed in myself for not going in.
Very interesting article. I believe it. Still, I found one Tesla driver who I bet is very happy with his or her car, or at least what the license plate claims on its behalf.
September 3, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Very interesting article. I believe it. Still, I found one Tesla driver who I bet is very happy with his or her car, or at least what the license plate claims on its behalf.
I start and finish my run at this park over here in Hoboken. The kids are usually playing on the swings, but you can tell they aren’t happy.
August 30, 2025 at 4:50 AM
I start and finish my run at this park over here in Hoboken. The kids are usually playing on the swings, but you can tell they aren’t happy.
When I was a New York Post headline writer, I waited and waited for the right story and finally ...
August 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
When I was a New York Post headline writer, I waited and waited for the right story and finally ...
That’s a funny coincidence, to see your name pop up here while I’m listening to …
August 27, 2025 at 7:32 PM
That’s a funny coincidence, to see your name pop up here while I’m listening to …
Oh, an outstanding book about how people behaved during the Nazis’ rise to power is:
The Nazi Seizure of Power: The Experience of a Single German Town. 1922-1945, William Sheridan Allen.
The Nazi Seizure of Power: The Experience of a Single German Town. 1922-1945, William Sheridan Allen.
August 25, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Oh, an outstanding book about how people behaved during the Nazis’ rise to power is:
The Nazi Seizure of Power: The Experience of a Single German Town. 1922-1945, William Sheridan Allen.
The Nazi Seizure of Power: The Experience of a Single German Town. 1922-1945, William Sheridan Allen.
Most memorable novels I’ve read in the past few years:
- The Pole, J.M. Coetzee
- Everything Is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer
Non-fiction book that comes to mind randomly in the moment:
- Coffee and Power: Revolution and the Rise of Democracy in Central America, Jeffrey Paige.
- The Pole, J.M. Coetzee
- Everything Is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer
Non-fiction book that comes to mind randomly in the moment:
- Coffee and Power: Revolution and the Rise of Democracy in Central America, Jeffrey Paige.
August 25, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Most memorable novels I’ve read in the past few years:
- The Pole, J.M. Coetzee
- Everything Is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer
Non-fiction book that comes to mind randomly in the moment:
- Coffee and Power: Revolution and the Rise of Democracy in Central America, Jeffrey Paige.
- The Pole, J.M. Coetzee
- Everything Is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer
Non-fiction book that comes to mind randomly in the moment:
- Coffee and Power: Revolution and the Rise of Democracy in Central America, Jeffrey Paige.
Absolutely. I can think of a few more.
(Pictured: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Wellstone, Anthony Bourdain.)
(Pictured: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Wellstone, Anthony Bourdain.)
August 12, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Absolutely. I can think of a few more.
(Pictured: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Wellstone, Anthony Bourdain.)
(Pictured: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Wellstone, Anthony Bourdain.)
"Ordinary fucking people. I hate 'em."
— Harry Dean Stanton, Repo Man.
— Harry Dean Stanton, Repo Man.
August 8, 2025 at 4:09 AM
"Ordinary fucking people. I hate 'em."
— Harry Dean Stanton, Repo Man.
— Harry Dean Stanton, Repo Man.
A top ten show of all time: FRANK'S PLACE, starring Tim Reid, who was also Venus Flytrap on WKRP. Ran for one season, was loved by critics, won Emmys, was canceled. It can't be rereleased because of music rights, supposedly, but I think you can find episodes on Youtube.
August 1, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A top ten show of all time: FRANK'S PLACE, starring Tim Reid, who was also Venus Flytrap on WKRP. Ran for one season, was loved by critics, won Emmys, was canceled. It can't be rereleased because of music rights, supposedly, but I think you can find episodes on Youtube.
MATEWAN (1987), written and directed by John Sayles.
AVALON (1990), written and directed by Barry Levinson.
Because (1) they really would go together, and I would appreciate seeing them again, and (2) talk about two movies that reflect today's America through its history. There are none better.
AVALON (1990), written and directed by Barry Levinson.
Because (1) they really would go together, and I would appreciate seeing them again, and (2) talk about two movies that reflect today's America through its history. There are none better.
July 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
MATEWAN (1987), written and directed by John Sayles.
AVALON (1990), written and directed by Barry Levinson.
Because (1) they really would go together, and I would appreciate seeing them again, and (2) talk about two movies that reflect today's America through its history. There are none better.
AVALON (1990), written and directed by Barry Levinson.
Because (1) they really would go together, and I would appreciate seeing them again, and (2) talk about two movies that reflect today's America through its history. There are none better.