Featured Editorials

The Political Atlas (A New Spectrum Model)

This is my detailed explanation of a possible multi-axis model of the political spectrum, combined with an extensive glossary of common political science terms. The cover image of each photo is a mock apolitical flag design of my own creation. The pansy flower represents Free Thought. The reason for separating…Continue reading “The Political Atlas (A New Spectrum Model)”

20Oct 201916 Feb 2020

My Complete “Thesis” on SMiLE

This series represents my thoughts on Brian Wilson’s unfinished SMiLE album, using as much information as possible to get a…

1Jun 20192 Jan 2020

A Panoramic Vertigo Analysis

This is a multi-part series where I look at Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo from every conceivable angle. It’s my favorite movie…

31May 201925 May 2020

The Sempronian Manifesto

This series contains two parts, one a set of constitutional reforms and the other a policy platform. Together, I believe…

To Kill in Silence (1972) New Developments in an Ongoing Treasure Hunt

23 May 202024 May 2020

Even though I've already got a copy, I've still been holding out hope these last two weeks for a cleaner print of Uccidere in Silenzio to make its appearance. Yesterday…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to the 1980 Reagan/Anderson & Reagan/Carter Debates

22 May 202024 May 2020

This cycle is pretty special because it's one of only two times where a candidate outside of the Democrat-Republican duopoly was ever allowed to participate. But unlike the three-way competition…

To Kill in Silence (1972) Fractured, Forgotten & Flawed

10 May 202017 May 2020

It all began with Stelvio Cipriani's beautiful compositions and the algorithms dictating YouTube's music playlists. That's what introduced me to Femina Ridens nearly a year ago, and that film in…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to the 1976 and 1996 General Election Debates

25 Apr 202026 May 2020

So, this must seem strange, to group two non-consecutive cycles of debates together into a single post. The reason I'm doing so is simple: these are by far the two…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to the 1960 Kennedy/Nixon Debates (2/2)

25 Apr 202025 Apr 2020

My thoughts on the other 3 Kennedy-Nixon Debates from 1960, the first General Election Debates in US history. None of these are anywhere near as fascinating as the first. The…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to the 1960 Kennedy/Nixon Debates (1/2)

25 Apr 202025 Apr 2020

A lot has been made about the differences in appearance between the two men in this debate. There's the famous anecdote about how radio listeners liked Nixon more while TV…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to the 21st Century Vice Presidential Debates (2/2)

25 Apr 202025 Apr 2020

Biden v Ryan 2012 Paul Ryan was supposed to be the young, fresh "exciting!" candidate to balance out Romney's milquetoast, past-his-prime factor. It didn't quite work, and in my opinion…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to the 21st Century Vice Presidential Debates (1/2)

25 Apr 202025 Apr 2020

I'll begin with some general observations and thoughts before we dive into the specific debates. The VP is usually considered the "attack dog" of the ticket since they can say…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to the 20th Century Vice Presidential Debates (2/2)

Bentsen v Quayle 1988 This is where the single most famous moment of any US debate occurred, “Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy” where Lloyd Bentsen put Dan Quayle in his…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to the 20th Century Vice Presidential Debates (1/2)

These won't be as in-depth as my write ups for the Presidential or primary debates. There's just not as much to talk about, and the VP debates have never had…

Political Reactions

Primary Debates: The Best Progressive Candidates I Discovered

25 Apr 202025 Apr 2020

So, my main purpose for watching all the primary debates since 1980 (the first year I could find any online) was to see if there were any obscure old progressive…

Political Reactions

The Primary Debates: Summary & Conclusion

15 Apr 202015 Apr 2020

So, Ive finished watching at least one early primary debate from every cycle since 1980 (I couldn't find anything earlier online). I did this both in an attempt to discover…

Political Reactions

My Take on the 2020 Democratic Primary

15 Apr 202015 Apr 2020

I just didn't care. I really didn't. I got excited for the last cycle because Bernie was the first candidate in my lifetime to say all the things I had…

Political Reactions

My Memories of the 2016 Republican Primary

I watched most of the GOP primary debates this cycle as they happened or soon after. Because of that, and how recent it's been, I don't feel the need to…

Political Reactions

My Memories of the 2016 Democratic Primary

15 Apr 202015 Apr 2020

This was far less chaotic or interesting than the Republicans from the same year, and also less contemptuous than the previous Democratic primary from 2008. I'm not gonna analyze a…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 2012 Republican Primary Debate

15 Apr 202015 Apr 2020

This cycle was when I had become apathetic and embittered to politics again after the previous 2 elections of increased awareness and excitement. By this time, we knew about NSA…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 2008 Democratic Primary Debate

15 Apr 202015 Apr 2020

This was the first election where I was old enough to fully understand the issues, where I really first in love with a candidate (Obama, obviously) and wasn't just cheering…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 2008 Republican Primary Debate

The Republicans were pretty much doomed to failure this cycle following Bush and the Great Recession. On some level I'm sure even they knew that. I think McCain from 2000…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 2004 Democratic Primary Debate

15 Apr 202015 Apr 2020

This is the first election where I was vaguely aware of the issues going on because I had to do a project for social studies class. We were tasked with…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 2000 Republican Primary Debate

6 Apr 20206 Apr 2020

I've been dreading this one. If there are two political “groups” I can't stand, it's the Bush and Clinton entourages. I literally cringe watching Hillary or Bush II speak—they have…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 2000 Democratic Primary Debate

6 Apr 20206 Apr 2020

I'm really surprised the field this cycle was so narrow. Literally it's just two candidates, Gore and Bradley. I thought the 2016 primary was small with only 3 serious contenders,…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 1996 Republican Primary Debate

6 Apr 20206 Apr 2020

I like Bob Dole, and think he's a decent man. But if his older 1996 incarnation is the best you've got, you're in trouble. Especially against a charismatic person like…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to Another 1992 Democratic Primary Debate

6 Apr 20206 Apr 2020

In this debate, which I'm only guessing is from Iowa, we have all the candidates again except Agran, but with a new guy, Douglas Wilder. Let's see if he's worth…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 1992 Democratic Primary Debate

6 Apr 202010 Apr 2020

Realistically, I don't think anyone could have ever beaten Bill Clinton in this primary—the guy was a determined, charismatic juggernaut. But I hate his "third way" policies and his political…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 1988 Republican Primary Debate

6 Apr 20206 Apr 2020

Obviously, I'm wondering if Bush really was the cream of the crop, or if a better alternative was passed over. It's clear after seeing the 1988 Democratic debates that Dukakis…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to Another 1988 Democratic Primary Debate

5 Apr 20205 Apr 2020

The Iowa primary gave me a good idea of who everyone is this cycle, but the field of candidates was interesting enough to where I wanted to take a second…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 1988 Democratic Primary Debate

5 Apr 20205 Apr 2020

Continuing with my analysis of past primary seasons, this is the 1988 Democratic Primary debate from Iowa. For me, without a lovable underdog like McGovern in this race, or a…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to Another 1984 Democratic Primary Debate

5 Apr 20205 Apr 2020

This is the only other 1984 Primary debate which includes McGovern and can be found online. There are a few others with just Mondale, Hart and Jackson…but I'm not sure…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 1984 Democratic Primary Debate

5 Apr 20205 Apr 2020

This one is interesting to me because it features George McGovern himself, in his unsuccessful 1984 primary bid. (I'd also love to watch the primary debates from 1972 for the…

Political Reactions

My Reaction to a 1980 Republican Primary Debate (Bush v Reagan)

5 Apr 20205 Apr 2020

As bizarre as it may seem today, there were apparently no Republican primary debates held between the 1948 and 1980 cycles. I've done a lot of research on the topic…

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