Missive #497 Published 18 May 2025
Continuing The Federalist Papers.
Federalist No.47
The Particular Structure of the New Government and the Distribution of Power Among Its Different Parts
Author: James Madison
To the People of the State of New York:
Missive #496 Published 16 May 2025
87. Nasruddin and the Tall Tree
The village boys wanted to trick Nasruddin and steal his new shoes.
“Look at this tall tree!” they shouted. “We’re too small to climb it, but maybe you can.”
Nasruddin looked at the tree, smiled and said, “That would be fun. I’ll try!”
So, Nasruddin took off his new shoes. Next, he tucked the shoes inside his belt. Then he began climbing.
“Wait!” shouted the boys. “Why are you taking your shoes with you?”
“This tree is so tall that it might lead all the way to heaven,” Nasruddin replied, “and I’ll need my shoes to walk around up there.”
Missive #495 Published 14 May 2025
Charles Hythloday observes the world from the comfortable confines of his family estate, and doesn't much care for what he sees. At twenty-four, Charles aims to resurrect the lost lifestyle of the aristocratic country gentleman. But Charles's cozy existence is about to face a serious shake-up. With the family fortune teetering in the balance, Charles must do something he swore he would never do: get a job. Booted into the mean streets of Dublin, he is as unprepared for real life. And it turns out that real life is a tad unprepared for Charles, as well.
Missive #494 Published 11 May 2025
Continuing The Anti-Federalist Papers
Centinel II (excerpt)
by Samuel Bryan
To the Freemen of Pennsylvania:
Missive #493 Published 9 May 2025
86. Nasruddin Gets a Haircut
Nasruddin and a little boy walked into a barbershop together. “Do me first, and then the boy here,” Nasruddin said.
The barber gave Nasruddin a haircut and as he was giving the boy a haircut, Nasruddin strolled out of the shop.
When he had finished, the barber waited for Nasruddin to come back and pay.
Finally he asked the boy, “When do you think your father will be back?”
“Oh, that’s not my father,” said the boy. “He just picked me up off the street out there and said, ‘Let’s go get us some free haircuts’ … and so we did!”
Missive #492 Published 8 May 2025
Over the years, Wendell Berry has sought to understand and confront the financial structure of modern society and the impact of developing late capitalism on American culture. There is perhaps no more demanding or important critique available to contemporary citizens than Berry's writings — just as there is no vocabulary more given to obfuscation than that of economics as practiced by professionals and academics. Berry has called upon us to return to the basics. He has traced how the clarity of our economic approach has eroded over time, as the financial asylum was overtaken by the inmates, and citizens were turned from consumers — entertained and distracted — to victims, threatened by a future of despair and disillusion.
Missive #491 Published 6 May 2025
For all those who adore Joanna Trollope's cool, honest writing style comes the fifth novel in the hugely popular "Caper Court" series. Leo Davies QC - charismatic, attractive and sexually ambiguous - inspires powerful feelings. Feelings that sometimes border on obsession.
This book was more 'Chick Lit' than the previous books in the series. I didn't like it as well. There are three more books in the series that I'll read hoping that this one was an outlier.
Missive #490 Published 4 May 2025
Continuing The Federalist Papers.
Federalist No.46
The Influence of the State and Federal Governments Compared
Author: James Madison
To the People of the State of New York:
Missive #489 Published 2 May 2025
85. Nasruddin Rewards His Son
Nasruddin’s son received a good report from his teacher at school.
“Son, I’m proud of you,” said Nasruddin. “You may make a request of me, and I will grant it.”
The son was taken aback by this generous offer. “May I have a day to think about it?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Nasruddin.
The boy came back the next day and said, “Father, I want a donkey.”
“Well, that would be two requests now, wouldn’t it? I already granted your request for a day to think things over.”
Nasruddin’s son was disappointed, but not surprised: he should have known better!
Missive #488 Published 29 April 2025
This edited customer review is just the beginning of one of the many one and two star reviews the book received at goodreads.com. "What is it that compels authors to end their careers preaching to the masses? This boring and tendentious piece of propaganda should never be mistaken for an act of fiction or competent literature." — Edited customer review
I might add that the last chapter in the book can be skipped if you make it that far or perhaps your are one of those readers that would give the book five stars, there were some.