Today's National Day is celebrated because of President Ronald Reagan's joke during a sound check (on August 11, 1984) when he said “My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.” Some were amused, others were outraged but sound check chatter … Continue reading National Presidential Joke Day
Election 2016
Playwright pitch for “The Rally”
I've never tried to pitch an idea for a new play on my blog. So I'm hoping that lots of my readers are theatre or film producers. You are, right? I'm guessing this would work better as a cinema release than a theater script. The setup: Imagine a time when a populist politician has won … Continue reading Playwright pitch for “The Rally”
Rare Political Commentary
This blog is focused on theatrical experiences, personal notes, food adventures and celebrations of National Days. I seldom lapse into political commentary, but will make a brief exception today. President Trump and various members of his administration are currently embroiled in an impeachment fight that I have followed closely. I'm not predicting what the outcome … Continue reading Rare Political Commentary
Live Podcast taping and my favorite political podcasts
Last Wednesday I attended a live taping of KCRW's Left, Right & Center post election special edition at The Town Hall here in New York. It is a radio show but I consume it as a podcast. It was up within 12 hours and is on their feed now if you wanted to listen to … Continue reading Live Podcast taping and my favorite political podcasts
Independence Day
For a very long time the colonies were content to work as subjects of the King. When he tried to extract money to pay for the cost of defending them from the French and various native groups a growing number of colonists fought back to either have full representation in their governing bodies or, failing … Continue reading Independence Day
Presidents Day
Today is Presidents Day, a day off for many, and an opportunity to salute the Presidents who have made this country great. Though timed for the birthdays of George Washington (who demonstrated restraint with power) and Abraham Lincoln (who brought civility to our nation's greatest challenge), it is intended to salute all presidents. This post … Continue reading Presidents Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Sometimes I can be pretty naive. I became politically aware at a relatively young age in 1968. The riots, the war, the losses of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. hit me pretty hard and made me wonder about how we could ever move forward. But I found hope in the fact that times … Continue reading Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Review – Hillbilly Elegy
It has been a while since I finished reading Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance but I needed time to reflect on it before I commented on it. Surprising to me, much in it was familiar. I too spent some of my life growing up between Dayton and Cincinnati and had neighbors (very nice people) who … Continue reading Review – Hillbilly Elegy
Election Day 2017
I often prep blog entries in advance and then edit up until the morning posting. This version I have completely re-written at least a dozen times with various quotes, facts and observations. I steer clear of political postings as there is enough bloviating in this environment. This blog is intended to highlight the theatre I … Continue reading Election Day 2017
Review of MICHAEL MOORE ON BROADWAY: The Terms of My Surrender
Michael Moore's show is a liberal rant, history lesson and all around entertaining performance. It is also a story of his background and involvement in the causes he supports. He makes very good points and is preaching to the choir here in New York. You know by now whether you agree with him or not. … Continue reading Review of MICHAEL MOORE ON BROADWAY: The Terms of My Surrender
Bonus post: Springtime for our Little Hitlers
Had to add a quick note. Just read a great piece in the flailing New York Times. I subscribe but think they allow visitors to read several articles each month. Give it a read: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/opinion/comedy-protest-taxes-nazis.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-right-region®ion=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region Hope the link works. It helps me explain why I am both anti-White-Power and anti-Antifa. Non violence and humor always … Continue reading Bonus post: Springtime for our Little Hitlers
Just One Political Note
OK, just this once. This blog was set up to chat about the plays I write and that are produced, the theater I see from time to time, the food I eat out and the food I love to cook. It was not intended to be political in any way, but the last election was … Continue reading Just One Political Note
Walter Thinnes 
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