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A Modest Proposal 13 Jan 2010 | 05:21 pm
On Christmas Day 2009, aspiring Nigerian pantybomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab set his explosive-laden underwear on fire in an attempt to bring down the aeroplane on which he was traveling to Detroit....
Avatar as a Rorschach Test 22 Dec 2009 | 06:37 pm
On the cab ride back from the theater where we saw Avatar, my friend Uthra remarked how it was odd that protagonist Jake Sully's avatar in the movie appeared with a U-shaped marking on his forehead wh...
Reflections on Armistice Day 12 Nov 2009 | 12:18 pm
As an Indian, the 11th of November never really had much significance for me. World War I is largely absent from the Indian consciousness. Sure, many English-speaking Indians are aware that it happene...
The Gustavus Adolphus theory of Viking Conquest 7 Nov 2009 | 02:31 pm
Today is, as we all know Gustavus Adolphus Day. It is a day of solemn celebration of this great man, of marzipan medallions eaten on no other day (thanks for the factoid Betsy!) and of general Gustavu...
My Nominee for next Year's Peace Prize: The Norwegian Nobel Committee 11 Oct 2009 | 10:41 am
Ever since the announcement yesterday morning that US President Barack Obama has been awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize, some (or at least me) have begun to wonder who might be in line for next ye...
That Silly Tom Friedman 2 Oct 2009 | 10:21 am
So earlier today, a friend of mine posted a link to a column by NY Times impresario Thomas L. Friedman on Facebook. Foolishly misinterpreting her accompanying comment as agreeing with my general view ...
Why Can't We All Just Say Hi? 25 Sep 2009 | 01:41 pm
Ever since I came to the US, I have noticed (and appreciated) how polite the people here are. Store clerks and shoppers greet each other while shopping. Passengers thank bus drivers while getting off ...
Amit Varma for English Czar 22 Sep 2009 | 04:19 pm
For the past week, the English language media in India has been all over the utterly bizarre controversy following External Affairs minister Shashi Tharoor's offhand remark referring to economy class ...
Inglorious Basterds: A Revue 23 Aug 2009 | 12:39 pm
MAAJAR SPOILER ALERT (Don't read this before watching the movie. If you do, don't bother watching it. Unless you see it on HBO for free. Then it's okay.) Tarantino fans might think I blaspheme when ...
Predatory Taxation 19 Apr 2009 | 05:41 pm
Imagine this: A smooth, oily mortgage salesman is selling his product to a newly married couple. Try our adjustable rate mortgage, he says. Its got an initial rate of only 3.5% per annum, he says. We...
