Dads, when you let the National Education Association, Hollywood and the cast from Glee raise your daughters, you shouldn’t be surprised if they turn out to be self-absorbed, painted little Paris Hilton wannabes. As Doug Giles, columnist and host of the nationally syndicated Clash Radio program puts it: “Fathers, don’t let your babies grow up to be Snookie!”

I know: easier said than done. Ever wish that fatherhood came with an instruction manual? Well, with his latest book, Raising Righteous and Rowdy Girls, Giles comes as close to anyone in producing it. (Left click on image for full story).

Foggy Bottom Neighborhood

NEW CD FEATURE:  Hot-button excerpts from G.M. Corrigan’s “religio-socio-econo-politico-philo-psycho-romantic (whew!) novel, "Chasing Chickens: A Love Story" (Full Excerpt #2)

Introduction to excerpt #2--theme: The enemy within. Is there something at the stealthy core of our culture—and even our hearts—that militates against our happiness, our ability to love and find fulfillment, and that sabotages relationships? Elated at having finally discerned a possible unifying theme for his coherence-defying assignment, Walter characteristically keeps his own counsel in the matter as he walks from his west D.C. office to the nearest Metro, mulling his insight and his recent breakup with office heartthrob Maggie Syzygy. On the way he unexpectedly meets someone who mysteriously suggests that the two seemingly disparate topics may not be all that disconnected.

Courtesy/Strangezoo.com

NEW CD FEATURE:  Complete hot-button excerpt #1 from G.M. Corrigan’s “religio-socio-econo-politico-philo-psycho-romantic (whew!) novel, "Chasing Chickens: A Love Story"

By G.M. Corrigan

Introduction to Excerpt #1—theme: human creativity, its source and the consequences of its containment. It’s the familiar nemesis of writers, but everybody, at one time or another, experiences creative paralysis—whether it be in what to say to one’s beloved, how to solve a parenting problem or in simply doing a crossword puzzle. We are creatures that share in the creative power of the Creator (however one conceives this Creator), and much of life’s satisfaction lies in using that power to understand and communicate truth, express a perception of beauty or make life better for others. It’s what we all strive for in our work, though modern, modularized work—and adversarial workplaces—often frustrates that desire. (The word “adversarial” here is significant, as adversarialism—as a design feature of our political, economic and, increasingly, social praxis is a major theme of Chasing Chickens.) In this opening segment, our protagonist Walter Cephalo, a lead writer at a major folio books publishing firm in 1980s Washington, D.C., has been given the daunting assignment of distilling the world’s religions into a book that will promote religious unity. But he is stuck. Has his vaunted abilities finally met their match, or is there something about Walter’s views and lifestyle, his failure to appreciate past emotional wounds or his typical “adaptation” to the larger culture that’s to blame. Walter doesn’t begin to gain insight into the cause of his condition until a series of mysterious encounters sets him on the path of chasing chickens—and falling for an unlikely and challenging love interest. (Hint: The “chasing chickens” term comes from a scene in a popular Disney cartoon, released in 1955.)

Foggy Bottom Grocery, Washington D.C./ Travelwebshot.com

NEW CD FEATURE:  Second in a series of hot-button excerpts from G.M. Corrigan’s “religio-socio-econo-politico-philo-psycho-romantic (whew!) novel, "Chasing Chickens: A Love Story"

Introduction to excerpt #2--theme: The enemy within. Is there something at the stealthy core of our culture—and even our hearts—that militates against our happiness, our ability to love and find fulfillment, and that sabotages relationships? Elated at having finally discerned a possible unifying theme for his coherence-defying assignment, Walter characteristically keeps his own counsel in the matter as he walks from his west D.C. office to the nearest Metro, mulling his insight and his recent breakup with office heartthrob Maggie Syzygy. On the way he unexpectedly meets someone who mysteriously suggests that the two seemingly disparate topics may not be all that disconnected.

By G.M. Corrigan

Mylouisianaview.blogspot.com

NEW CD FEATURE:  Hot-button excerpts from G.M. Corrigan’s “religio-socio-econo-politico-philo-psycho-romantic (whew!) novel, "Chasing Chickens: A Love Story" (Left-click on image for full story)

By G.M. Corrigan

GOOD VS EVIL/Monttardventure.com

My wife Sarah and I were listening to the radio a few months back as Sean Hannity interviewed an author about his latest publication. The book was “How Evil Works,” but we were unable to ascertain, for some time, its author’s identity. We were immediately drawn into the discussion as this mystery guest waxed wise about what he called man’s “millennia-old blind spot” – namely, the existence of evil, how it works and why it destroys us. Sean  finally divulged the identity of his guest: It was best-selling author and award-winning journalist David Kupelian.

By J. Matt Barber

OF PERU, INCAS AND REBELS: I am reading a book that deals with the Sendero Luminoso, or Shining Path guerrilla movement in Peru. This is an excellent mystery novel by Santiago Rongagliolo, about a prosecutor in Ayacucho, the center of the rebellion, entitled, “Red April.” He traces a series of murders which connect to the Shining Path rebel movement, and raises the question of whether or not the Maoist guerrilla group has been truly vanquished as the government claims.

Book Review by Dennis Mullin

Shining Path leader Abimael Guzmán celebrating five years of war.

Book Review by Dennis Mullin

OF PERU, INCAS AND REBELS: I am reading a book that deals with the Sendero Luminoso, or Shining Path guerrilla movement in Peru. This is an excellent mystery novel by Santiago Rongagliolo, about a prosecutor in Ayacucho, the center of the rebellion, entitled, “Red April.” He traces a series of murders which connect to the Shining Path rebel movement, and raises the question of whether or not the Maoist guerrilla group has been truly vanquished as the government claims.