The Curmudgeon in residence is John Holditch, a seventy-five year old lawyer, formerly a partner in a large law firm and a member of the American Bar Association, but for the past 30 years a sole practitioner and member of practically nothing, who for the past several years has been testing the assertion of a delightful, now deceased, former partner who maintained that the practice of law would be an utter joy were it not for the inconvenience of dealing with clients.
Having run off all but the most devoted of them, I have found that keeping a few is helpful in paying the rent, but in general their absence has left me free to ruminate about subjects as far afield from the law (I doubt that I am much fonder of lawyers than many of you, perhaps less so since I have to deal with them more often) as politics and current events, horse racing, and popular culture, all of which I find immensely more interesting.
As you will observe if you delve deeper into this website, those ruminations are often of a type (popularly denigrated as "politically incorrect") which would not win me much favor in the mainstream media or an invitation to return to my eastern college, or even my somewhat more conservative law school, assuming that I had a desire to return, which happily I do not.
I am blessed with a particularly forgiving family comprised of a delightful and tolerant wife, a married daughter, her husband and their two young daughters, a son recently married, his beautiful bride and their young son, all of whom are much kinder to me than I deserve.
By way of a guide to the site, it is my intention to be at least somewhat serious (you may not think so) about the pages entitled News Views, Horse Racing, and Popular Culture, and a little less so about the page entitled Bad Thoughts in which The Curmudgeon gives vent to the exasperations that afflict any crusty old dinosaur in an earnest and politically correct age. I will be changing the page postings from time to time, but on an indolent and irregular schedule. I hope you will check back occasionally, and that I don't run you off too soon.
What's new: "Will Chuck Schumer 'Pay the Price' for His Threats Against Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh?," the first (or top) article on the News Views page;" 'Honest Loyalty' to President Trump in Short Supply," the second article on the News Views page; "The Media Pursues its Unicorn Through the Political Landscape," the third article on the News Views page; "Holy Bull, Champion Race Horse of 1994, Gone at 26," the first article on the Horse Racing page; "Trump Derangement Syndrome Moves From the Streets and the National Mall to the Senate, the Federal Courts, and Even to Retail," the first article on the Popular Culture page; "This Is the Life We Have Chosen," the second article on the Popular Cultural page; "An Old Democrat's Take on the National Derangement," the first article on the Bad Thoughts page; "Putin and the FBI Ate Hillary's Homework," the second article on the Bad Thoughts page; "Where the Boys Are, and Other Special Places in Hell for Young Women Who Support Bernie," the third article on the Bad Thoughts page.
Bark back at the Curmudgeon: Are you tired of reading all the Curmudgeon's outrageous views without having an opportunity to "bark" back? Or perhaps you just want to comment on a particular article you've read in Curmudgeon's Corner. Well, here's your chance: just e-mail the Curmudgeon at johnholditch@curmudgeonscorner.net (all one long, lower case word). If you sign your name and indicate your town and state, and reference the article, I'll post your comment in this space if you request it, and if it's not too long or profane. Or if you just want to tell me off in private, now you have the cyber address to do so!
Current (or not so current) Content:
One of the difficulties of maintaining a personal website such as Curmudgeon's Corner, particularly if you are as "Internet Challenged" as your Curmudgeon and do not have professional web-hosting, is that one tends to be limited by the "one size fits all" format of a standardized website design, not to mention the indolence of the site's author in not taking the time to learn how to create internal links, etc. Thus, sadly, there are no archives and once a piece such "A Death in the Family" eulogizing Belle, my son-in-law's late dog, is taken down, it is gone for good. Accordingly, I tend to leave articles or postings up longer than I should, particularly if I like them, as I do "The Dog in the Field" on the Popular Culture page. I also apologize for the fact that in order to reach, say, the twenty-first article on the News Views page,"A Word to the President and American Public from T. Jefferson" it is necessary to scroll down on that page through all of the higher positioned articles. So, without more ado or further apologies, here is what (and where) you can currently find posted on Curmudgeon's Corner:
Will Chuck Schumer "Pay the Price" for His Threats Against Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh? (March, 2020) the first article on News Views;
"Honest Loyalty" to President Trump in Short Supply (June, 2017) the second article on News Views;
The Media Pursues its Unicorn Through the Political Landscape (May, 2017) the third article on News Views;
The Incredible, Shrinking 'Big Tent' of the G.O.P. (November, 2012) the fourth article on News Views;
They're Rioting in Africa, There's Strife in Iran (January, 2011) the fifth article on News Views;
The Year of Living Timidly (January, 2010) the sixth article on News Views;
This Isn't About Healthcare (September, 2009) the seventh article on News Views;
Just Go, 'W,' and Goodbye (January, 2009) the eighth article on News Views;
The Business of America Is Finance (December, 2008) the ninth article on News Views;
There's Something About Sarah (September, 2008) the tenth article on News Views;
G.O.P. Loses the House, the Senate, and its Conscience (November, 2006) the eleventh article on News Views;
Democracy Is on the March in the Mideast (March, 2006) the twelfth article on News Views;
Perverting the Logic and Lessons of Nuremberg (August, 2005) the thirteenth article on News Views;
Winning the Hearts and Minds (June, 2005) the fourteenth article on News Views;
Delusions of Grandeur -- Fanning the All-Consuming Flame of Freedom (January, 2005) the fifteenth article on News Views;
A Lawless Administration Reaps What It Has Sown (June, 2004), the sixteenth article on News Views;
This Is Not Your Father's Republican Party (originally posted in four segments: Foreign Policy, Limited Government and Fiscal Responsibility, Civil Liberties, and Basic Honesty and Ethics in September, October, December and February of 2003-2004) the seventeenth article on News Views;
Whose War? written by Patrick J. Buchanan and posted here with the gracious permission of The American Conservative (April, 2003) the eighteenth article on News Views;
It's Not Quite Goodbye to a Thoroughly Amoral Man (April, 2003) the nineteenth article on News Views;
Vigilantes Don't Ask Permission (March, 2003) the twentieth article on News Views;
North Korea Calls the Bush Administration's Bluff (January, 2003) the twenty-first article on News Views;
Choking on Ariel Sharon’s Pastrami Sandwich (August, 2002) the twenty-second article on News Views;
Black Holes, Cosmic and Domestic (September, 2002) the twenty-third article on News Views;
A Word to the President and American Public from T. Jefferson (June, 2002) the twenty-fourth article on News Views;
Holy Bull,
Champion Race Horse of 1994, Gone at 26 (June, 2017) the first article on Horse Racing;
Breezing Along Toward Derby 142 (May, 2016) the second article on Horse Racing;
Captain Obvious Handicaps the Derby (May, 2015) the third article on Horse Racing;
Is It California Chrome and Everybody Else? (May, 2014) the fourth article on Horse Racing;
For Class and Consistency on the Turf, It's All Wise Dan (November, 2013) the fifth article on Horse Racing;
The Old Grey Lady Dons a Flashy Saffron Gown (June, 2012) the sixth article on Horse Racing;
Zenyatta Puts Her Perfect Record on the Line One Last Time (November, 2010) the seventh article on Horse Racing;
Lookin at Lucky Wins Preakness and Saves Triple Crown (May, 2010) the eighth article on Horse Racing;
Lookin at Lucky's Wild Ride (April, 2010) the ninth article on Horse Racing;
Undefeated Except at the Ballot Box, Zenyatta Prepares to Take Her Perfect Record Back to the Track (March, 2010) the tenth article on Horse Racing;
Improving on Near Perfection at Keeneland (November, 2006) the eleventh article on Horse Racing;
Housebuster Dies in Virginia (May, 2005) the twelfth article on Horse Racing;
Sentiment and Redemption in Louisville (May, 2005) the thirteenth article on Horse Racing;
Smarty, We Hardly Knew You (December, 2004) the fourteenth article on Horse Racing;
The Season to Say Goodbye (December, 2003) the fifteenth article on Horse Racing;
Seabiscuit, the Movie, Breaks from the Starting Gate (July, 2003) the sixteenth article on Horse Racing;
Milestones and Memories (July, 2003) the seventeenth article on Horse Racing;
There's No Joy in Mudville (June, 2003) the eighteenth article on Horse Racing;
Dance With the One Who Brought You (May, 2003) the nineteenth article on Horse Racing;
Sunday Silence's Death Casts a Poignant Shadow Over Racing's Holiday Season" (August, 2002) the twentieth article on Horse Racing;
Remembering The Drouller (May, 2002) the twenty-first article on Horse Racing;
When the "Mid-Summer Derby" Was for Horse of the Year -- Holy Bull's Travers Stakes" (September, 2002) the twenty-second article on Horse Racing;
A Breeders' Cup Without Eddie D (October, 2002) the twenty-third article on Horse Racing;
Trump Derangement Syndrome Moves From the Streets and the National Mall to the Senate, the Federal Courts, and Even to Retail (February, 2017) the first article on Popular Culture;
"This Is the Life We Have Chosen," (October, 2015) the second article on Popular Culture;
Let a Snarl Be Your Umbrella (January, 2012) the third article on Popular Culture;
It's Godzilla vs. Mothra in the Sordid Sex Bowl (December, 2010 the fourth article on Popular Culture;
The Ideological States of America (August, 2010) the fifth article on Popular Culture;
Tiger's Mea Culpa (February, 2010) the sixth article on Popular Culture;
Buster Made It Home (November, 2008) the seventh article on Popular Culture;
Hillary Mines the Bigot Belt (May, 2008) the eighth article on Popular Culture;
Political Correctness Run Amok (May, 2007) the ninth article on Popular Culture;
"W" Pulls the Trigger (July, 2006) the tenth article on Popular Culture;
An Aerial View of New Orleans (September, 2005) the eleventh article on Popular Culture;
The Culture of Fear (July, 2005) the twelfth article on Popular Culture;
Are You Ready ... for Some Football? (November, 2004) the thirteenth article on Popular Culture;
The Passion, Fears of Anti-Semitism, and the Need to Dishonor a Father (February, 2004) the fourteenth article on Popular Culture;
A Goat in the Grandstands (October, 2003) the fifteenth article on Popular Culture;
Bible Thumpin' in the Black Belt (August 2003) the sixteenth article on Popular Culture;
Into the Volcano, to Assuage the God of Free Trade (August, 2003) the seventeenth article on Popular Culture;
The Dog in the Field (April, 2002) the eighteenth article on Popular Culture;
Is What’s Good for General Motors Really Still Good for the Country? (July, 2002) the nineteenth article on Popular Culture;
Have you hugged your local prosecutor today? (January, 2003) the twentieth article on Popular Culture;
An Old Democrat's Take on the National Derangement (May 2017) the first article on Bad Thoughts;
Putin and the FBI Ate Hillary's Homework (December, 2016) the second article on Bad Thoughts;
Where the Boys Are, and Other Special Places in Hell for Young Women Who Support Bernie (February, 2016) the third article on Bad Thoughts;
Are You Missing Saddam Yet? (June, 2014) the fourth article on Bad Thoughts;
Party Like It's 1948 (June, 2013) the fifth article on Bad Thoughts;
You've Come a Long Way, Baby (January, 2012) the sixth article on Bad Thoughts;
Making Symbolic Budget Cuts and Settling Scores (February, 2011) the seventh article on Bad Thoughts;
Not Even a Beloved Old Eccentric Can Criticize Israel (June, 2010) the eighth article on Bad Thoughts;
Felix Frankfurter in a Skirt (May, 2010) the ninth article on Bad Thoughts;
The Obama Administration Throws Nuremberg, Common Decency and International Law Under the Bus (April, 2009) the ninth article on Bad Thoughts;
A Good Thought About 'W' (December, 2008) the ninth article on Bad Thoughts;
From the Folks Who Brought You the Great Depression (September, 2008) the tenth article on Bad Thoughts;
Put Hillary on the Ticket -- John McCain's! (June, 2008) the eleventh article on Bad Thoughts;
The Queen of Appalachia Reflects on the Summer of '68 (May, 2008) the twelfth article on Bad Thoughts;
The Democrats Can't Do Nothing (June, 2007) the thirteenth article on Bad Thoughts;
Nothing Could Be Done Because He Was the Mayor's Son (July, 2006) the fourteenth article on Bad Thoughts;
Trashing the Truth-Teller (August, 2005) the fifteenth article on Bad Thoughts;
Why We Shouldn't Torture (June, 2005) the sixteenth article on Bad Thoughts;
The Time for Diplomacy Is ... When, Exactly? (April, 2005) the seventeenth article on Bad Thoughts;
Hey, Big Spender.... (February, 2005) the eighteenth article on Bad Thoughts;
Guarding the Fox House (October, 2004) the nineteenth article on Bad Thoughts;
Throwing Mom, and the First Amendment, into the Paddy Wagon (September, 2004) the twentieth article on Bad Thoughts;
Born Again, Free From Sin, and From Self-Doubt (July, 2004) the twenty-first article on Bad Thoughts;
Marrying For Money (July, 2004) the twenty-second article on Bad Thoughts;
Stop Me, Before I Nation-Build Again! (March, 2004) the twenty-third article on Bad Thoughts;
Who's Your Daddy? (January, 2004) the twenty-fourth article on Bad Thoughts;
Movin' on to Africa (July, 2003) the twenty-fifth article on Bad Thoughts;
"Rummy" Declares War on the U.S. Army (July, 2003) the twenty-sixth article on Bad Thoughts;
Barbarians at the Gates of Civilization (Updated and Corrected) (April and June, 2003) the twenty-seventh article on Bad Thoughts;
A Belated Happy New Year from the Curmudgeon (January, 2003) the twenty-eighth article on Bad Thoughts;
Incompetence at Home, Insanity Abroad (June, 2002) the twenty-ninth article on Bad Thoughts;
Almost the News... (August, 2002) the thirtieth article on Bad Thoughts;
Now why didn't we think of that...? (May, revised August, 2002) the thirty-first article on Bad Thoughts;
A Bad Idea Whose Time Has Come Again -- The International Criminal Court (July, 2002) the thirty-second article on Bad Thoughts;
Are you ready to rumble...? (September, 2002) the thirty-third article on Bad Thoughts;
At Home on the Range (War) (October, 2002) the thirty-fourth article on Bad Thoughts;
Maybe We Should Mess With Texas (February, 2003) the thirty-fifth article on Bad Thoughts;
If we've got any duct tape left.... (February, 2003) the thirty-sixth article on Bad Thoughts;
My Country, Right or Wrong (March, 2003) the thirty-seventh article on Bad Thoughts.
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