Photo by Samet Kurtkus on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper gratefully accepting the assistance of granddaughter Sarah in once again attempting to deal with the debris of a lifetime as an ink-stained wretch in the newspaper business. “Clippings” they are called. Thousands of them in drawers, files and boxes taking up space …
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Mighty Love
Artwork by Michael DiMilo Originally Published 2/14/2022 By Geoff Carter In her novel Surfacing, Margaret Atwood wrote “The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them, there ought to be as many for love.” She‘s probably right, although what passes for love today might not be as important to us as snow …
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Kickass and Honorary Silver Badger
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper will be cheering on Phyllis and all the “Silver Badgers” as they gather this afternoon—2 pm, at Gammon Road and Tree Lane for their weekly ICE and company protest. Joining the Silver Badger crowd, which is heavily weighted toward seniors, …
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Kickass and Good Luck
Attribution: See page for author, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper and Phyllis offering to share their good luck on this Friday the 13th with those who need a little extra. Applicants can submit the reasons they need some extra good luck and an appropriate amount will …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: The Ten Best Valentine’s Day Movies
Illustration by Michael DiMilo Top Ten Romantic Films By Geoff Carter (Originally published on February 14, 2024) It’s Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air, but those of us who choose to enjoy a warm and cozy evening inside, finding that perfect romantic movie is the perfect way to enjoy that special someone. So, rather …
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Kickass and Being Redacted
Attribution: Muller, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes In responding to his own question, the keeper concludes that judging from the positive reaction of so many “redacted” rich old men in the Epstein bible, being redacted is a really good thing. Not qualified for inclusion in such rarified redaction ranks as the Epstein …
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The Real Steal
Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter President Donald J. Trump is a master of diversion, deception, and delusion. Smoke and mirrors, obfuscation, pettifogging, and downright lying are all trademarks of his brand. It may sound like he’s some sort of magician, but he’s anything but that. He’s a huckster, a grifter, a bullshitter, and—at …
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Kickass Goes to War
Attribution: DJ Mapping, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, tries to help the keeper adjust to the POTUS plans to go to war with either Mexico or Canada, both countries obviously being highly questionable neighbors as seen in the incisive analysis of the Commander In THIEF. By way of …
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Can’t Buy Me Love
Attribution: Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash Originally published February 11, 2025 By Geoff Carter When I was in elementary school back in the early 1960s, St. Valentine’s Day was the day that brought life and color—and candy—to the gray slushy doldrums of grade-school winter. Everyone would attach manila envelopes with our little names block-printed on the front …
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Kickass and Bridge to Canada
Attribution: Erik Behrens, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper, considering his unique qualifications, feels an obligation to calm the waters under Canada’s Gordie Howe bridge that is about to open in Detroit. With a Canadian born wife Phyllis and memories of a Norwegian mother reading him …
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The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: Review of “F1”
Formulaic: Film Review of F1 ★★★1/2 Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter Artificial Intelligence is the newest face of runaway technology. Will it corrupt the minds (and academic skills) of our children, destroy human creativity, and—as in the nightmares of dystopian sci-fi fans (see The Terminator or Blade Runner) enable machines to take over civilization? It just …
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Kickass and Killer Whales
Attribution: Callan Carpenter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper exhausted from the recent sports extravaganzas and seriously thinking of getting up out of his recliner just to see if he can stand up. Between the Olympians and the Super Bowlers, not to mention the half-timers, the …
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