Ben Douglass Digest

In the grand tradition of experimental novels, Broomfield has outdone himself and rightfully belongs in the illustrious company of Pynchon, Celine, Genet, Beckett, Fosse, and Mabanckou. This novel is one big package of irreverent, outrageous, and funny storytelling. Broomfield has a flair for eccentric characters and absurdist situations. He blends surrealism, wit, and satire, pushing the boundaries of conventional narrative to their limits. Broomfield's writing style reminded this reader of the narratives by the playwright Enda Walsh. Broomfield constructs an "imagined Ireland somewhere in an elsewhere," a landscape that resembles the real country but is warped into a carnival sideshow of oddities - bog entrails, croquet clubs on the Aran Islands, buttered scones at dawn, and vaccines packed in beet-pulp sacks. These details create a world that is both ridiculous and strangely recognizable. At the center of this novel is a bizarre philosopher whose quest to discover ...

  At Home in Ireland: New and Selected Poems.  Broomfield, Arthur. Limerick, Ireland: Revival Press, 2023. First Edition. Genre: Poetry. 60pp. ISBN: 978-1-7393705-9-6. (Paperback). Reviewed by Ben Douglass.  Indie writer, reviewer, critic, poet, essayist. At Home in Ireland by Arthur Broomfield offers readers a profound exploration of Irish culture, heritage, and identity. Broomfield, an esteemed author with a deep connection to Ireland, invites us to embark on a journey through the soul of his nation. The book delves into the richness of Ireland's landscapes, from the rugged coastlines to the serene countryside, capturing the essence of what it means to be truly at home in this emerald isle. Broomfield's narrative weaves together historical anecdotes, personal reflections, and cultural insights, providing a tapestry of experiences that celebrate Ireland's unique character. Readers will discover the significance of traditional Irish music, folklore, and the enduring spir...

  Dr. Arthur Broomfield, an Irish poetic, critic, and academic, is one of the remarkable voices contributing to contemporary Irish literature today. His poetry is deeply rooted in the landscapes and traditions of Ireland, yet it transcends the local, delving into universal human themes. This analysis examines the thematic approaches, stylistic innovations, and the significance of the authors work within the broader context of Irish poetry. At the heart of Dr. Broomfield's poetry is a profound sense of place. Place is always a special character for him. His connection to the rural Midlands of Ireland infuses his work with a tangible sense of landscape, history, and identity. His poems often serve as meditations on the natural world - alive with flora, fauna, and the changing seasons - and their intersections with human experience. Broomfield frequently engages with themes of identity and memory. His poetic voice acts as a conduit for exploring the interplay between personal and coll...

  The term "woke" has become a culture flashpoint in contemporary discourse, often evoking knee jerk reactions and diverse interpretations based on one's chosen ideology. To understand its true meaning, one must investigate its origins, evolution, and the many contexts in which it is used. The word "woke" can be traced back to African American Vernacular English (AAVE), where it originally meant being awake or alert. Over time, it began to signify a heightened awareness of social injustices, particularly those affecting marginalized communities. This evolution in meaning reflects the dynamic nature of language and the cultural shifts that influence it. In the early part of the 20th century, "woke" was used within Black communities to describe an awareness of systemic racism and oppression. It encapsulated the idea of being awake to the realities that others might overlook or deny. This concept of vigilance and awareness was crucial in the fight against...

  In this age of the personality cult of Trump, MAGA Christians have distorted the teachings of Christ in the New Testament. These New Age Trump cultists have zeroed in on certain past national policies that are actually based upon the words of Christ - DEI being the most prevalent of them. DEI - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have always been Christian values, even before the acronym was first introduced decades ago. We see examples of these concepts in creation, in Jesus' teachings, and in the unfolding of God's plan for salvation. In The New Testament it says, "I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the lamb." Biblically, DEI is supported by scripture: Diversity (1 Corinthians 12:27-31), Equity (1 Timothy 5:18), and Inclusion (Galatians 3:28). In Acts 2, we read about the Day of Pentecost. People from every nation came to hear about Jesus. Ma...

  The sun was setting over the city of Athens, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets. At a small, out-of-the-way tavern, two men sat across from each other, engaged in an animated conversation that spanned the ages. Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, with his signature toga and penetrating gaze, sipped thoughtfully on his red wine. Across from him, Charles Bukowski, the modern-day poet and novelist, took a swig of his beer, his rugged face partially hidden by the brim of his red fedora. BUK: So, you say that the unexamined life is not worth living. But what about the life that's examined to death? Doesn't that become its own kind of hell? SOC: Ah, my friend, you touch upon a profound truth. To question, to probe, to seek knowledge - these are noble pursuits. But indeed, one must also learn to find balance. The endless quest for answers can become a labyrinth, ensnaring the soul. BUK: Yeah, well, the world's a pretty fucked up place. People drink to forget,...

  A Narrative Poem by Ben Douglass  Once mighty and proud, we stood so tall, The American Republic for which we stand, The city on the hill, a beacon to all. But time marches on, relentless and true, And republics eventually fall, As history will prove. From golden dreams and boundless skies, To whispers of discontent That slowly arises. The cracks appeared, Our foundations shaken, No longer the land of the fearless. Wars fought for freedom, now tarnished with greed, Rights once so cherished, Now lost in the quick authoritarian fix. The voices unheard, the cries ignored, A tapestry of power, wealth and greed, Unraveling and bored. The streets once bustling with hope And might, now echo with shadows Of forgotten fights. Citizens divided, trust in tatters, The Republic crumbles As chaos spreads over the land. Economics falter, billionaires grow fat And arrogant, while the rest of us languish In a world of hurt. Promises broken, ideals & dreams now stained, By politicians who...

  The "Einstein Intersection" is a fascinating concept that merges science fiction with scientific theory, particularly the ideas of Albert Einstein. This intersection exists in various forms, from literature to theoretical physics, and provides a unique lens through which we can explore the boundaries of human understanding. The term "Einstein Intersection" is often associated with the science fiction novel "The Einstein Intersection" by Samuel R. Delany. Published in 1967, the novel won the Nebula Award for best Novel and is considered a classic in the genre. The story is set in a future Earth where humanity has evolved into new forms, and the protagonist, Lobey, embarks on a quest that echoes the Greek myth of Orpheus. Delany's narrative explores themes of identity, change, and the nature of reality, all within the framework of Einstein's theories of relativity. Samuel R. Delany's novel delves into the implications of Einstein's theories...

When Abigail the cat first came into Jerry's life from the no-kill shelter, she was a troubled child who had been brought back to the shelter from folks who didn't want to deal with her. Her past was marked by abandonment and rejection, leaving her wary of human affection and trust. Jerry picked her for this reason. Jerry and Abigail bonded over time. Despite her troubled beginnings, Jerry saw in her a spark of potential, a glimmer of hope that could transform her life The early days with Abigail were not easy. She was a biter and scratcher in her youth, expressing her fear and confusion through aggression. Jerry had the marks to prove it, but he never gave up on her. He understood that her behavior was a cry for help, a manifestation of her unresolved trauma. With patience and persistence, Jerry worked to gain her trust, a process that required not only physical healing but emotional growth as well. Jerry's approach was one of unconditional love and unwavering commitment. ...

 Go ahead: Shop until you drop! Sit in Starbucks slurping coffee! Turn off the news! Don't get involved! Pray without any follow up action! Accept the inevitable! Be silent! Sleepwalk into The ABYSS that is coming For us all...

 Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany. Vintage Books: NY. Copyright 1974. Unabridged Edition. 801 Pages. From the back cover: Perhaps one of the most profound and bestselling science fiction novels of all time, the author has produced a story to stand with the best American fiction. Bellona is a city at the dead center of the United States. Something has happened there... The population has fled. Madmen and criminals wander the streets. Strange portents appear in the cloud-covered sky. Into this disaster zone comes a young man - poet, lover, and adventurer - known only as the Kid. Tackling questions of race, gender, and se4xuality, Dhalgren is a literary marvel and groundbreaking work of American magical realism. From the Libertarian Review: "A Joycean tour de force of a novel, Dhalgren...stakes a better claim than anything else published in this country in the last quarter-century (excepting only Gass's Omensetter's Luck and Nabokov's Pale Fire ) to a permanent place as one...

 A special guest speaks about language and authoritarianism (Ruth-Ben-Ghiat): SEE ARTICLE HERE

"And none of Trump's actions since January 20th have surprised me. He is the most "honest" President we've had in our lifetime. He has announced over and over what he was going to do should the American people let him back into the White House. He is transparency on steroids." Michael Moore Filmmaker There were two kinds of people that put Trump back in power: 1. Those who said, "I can't wait for him to shut down the FBI, CIA, exit NATO, exit WHO, defund the UN, the Deep State, the Dept. of Education, ban transgender people from power, make Christianity the national religion, get rid of all black & brown immigrate people at all costs, prohibit all Muslims from entering the country, dump DEI, go after the liberal elite, abolish liberal medias, abolish public schools, etc., etc., etc., etc." 2. Those apologists who proclaimed loudly, "Everybody just calm down, he's just blowing smoke out of his ass. It's all rhetoric. There's...

  "Remember, most poets live very ordinary lives. Yes, now and again you write a poem, and perhaps six, eight, or ten, or twelve times in your life if you're lucky, you collect them into a book and then there'll be worries about acceptance and rejection - what an editor will think - galleys to go over for errors, and finally presentation copies to give your friends - even some reviews, and maybe some readings, or a guest appearance, such as this one. But for every one of those, there are hundreds - there are thousands - of nights when you go to bed and lie there, once more, thinking about things you'll never remember in the morning, and hundreds - thousands - of mornings when you'll get up, still tired, and put up a pot of coffee and wait for it to drip through and decide it was silly not to have washed those dishes last night because you have to do it now. That's what poets do. That's what their lives are like..." Page 34 Dark Reflections by Samuel R....

  There is a disturbing rhetorical technique that folks are using when discussing politics of any kind on social medias. And it's not just the usual medias but in person face-to-face encounters as well. It's a technique that has been around forever. Whataboutism or whataboutery (as in "what about...") is a pejorative term for the strategy of responding to an accusation with a counteraccusation instead of a defense against the original accusation. Or, in simple terms, a noun which means a conversational tactic in which a person responds to an argument or attack by changing the subject to focus on someone else's misconduct, implying that all criticisms are valid because no one is completely blameless: excusing your mistakes with whataboutism is not the same as defending your record. In psychology, whataboutism is often deployed when an argument is seen as a battle to be won and not a debate. Whataboutism is an argumentative tactic where a person or group responds to...

  Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein, Translated by C.K. Ogden, Introduction by Bertrand Russell. Copyright 1922 (now in public domain): Published by Cosmo Classics: New York. ISBN: 978-1-61640-237-2. I first came across this little tract when an English teacher in college recommended it in 1975. He offered that it was a very difficult read and it definitely was and then some. But after several readings over a seven-year period it became much more comprehensible to me. The effort was so worth it. It now has a permanent spot on my bookshelf. Any writer or anyone else that has a philosophical interest in words and communication should try reading this tract.  From the Introduction by Bertrand Russell "Mr. Wittgenstein's (tract), whether or not it proves to give the ultimate truth on the matters with which it deals, certainly deserves, by its breadth and scope and profundity, to be considered an important event in the philosophical world. Starting from the pri...

This book was first published in the French language in 1967. It soon came out in an English translation. My original copy published in the nineteen seventies was lost in a house fire in 2001. I have since replaced it with the version you see above.  Of Grammatology introduces fundamental concepts related to linguistics and writing, challenging the idea that writing is derivative from speech. Derrida's work has had a significant impact on post-structuralist thought over the years. Back in the seventies, I carried it everywhere I went and discussed it with friends at the time. during our literary ponderings. Sometimes they got quite miffed at me and said I was like a newly recovered alcoholic who carried the Big Book everywhere they went. Well yes. They were spot on. It was my literary Big Book for sure, but sometimes I got a little too invasive with people when discussing words on paper. I could go on and on about this wonderful book, but I think this link to Wikipedia does the bo...

 ABOUT WRITING: 7 Essays, 4 Letters and 5 Interviews by Samuel R. Delany, Wesleyan University Press: Middletown, Connecticut. 2005. ISBN: 13: 978-0-8195-6716-1 This collection on writing good fiction and communicating a good storyline should be on every writer's bookshelf. Delany takes the reader through the process of writing a good sentence to writing a good novel. Sometimes his theory of good writing may seem a bit harsh, not only to the wannabe writer, but also to an experienced writer who already has published. My first reaction to his harsh words were, "Why should I even write then?" But then Delany goes on to say "great writers" only come along once in a lifetime, but good writers (which makes up 40% of today's novels) can make a few bucks at the craft. he goes on to say there is an overabundance of truly mediocre writing out there. If your writing falls into the mediocre category, then get a real job, otherwise spend your life refining and re-editing...

TITLE: The January 6th Report: Final Report of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol PUBLISHER: Celadon Books in Collaboration with The New Yorker DATE: December X, 2022 BY: United States House of Representatives Select Committee Staff PAGES: 724 - Paperback version PREFACE: David Remnick, Pulitzer Prize author FORWARDS: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker; Bennie Thompson, Chairperson; Liz Cheney, Vice Chairperson EPILOGUE: Jamie Raskin, Congressperson To start off this review let me outline how the organization of the book is presented: Table of Contents: I. Preliminaries II. Executive Summary III. Narrative:      1. The Big Lie      2. "I Just Want to Find 11,780 votes"      3. Fake Electors and the President of the Senate Strategy      4. "Just Call It Corrupt and Leave the Rest to Me"      5. A Coup in Search of a legal theory      6. "Be There, Will Be Wild...

    This 1862 novel, in a vibrant new translation by Peter Constantine, is Tolstoy's semi-autobiographical story of young Olenin, a wealthy, disaffected Muscovite who joins the Russian army and travels to the untamed frontier of the Caucasus in search of a more authentic life.  While striving to adopt the rough and ready lifestyle of the local Cossacks, Olenin falls in love with a free-spirited girl whose fiance turns out to be a formidable opponent. Showcasing the philosophical insight that would characterize Tolstoy's later masterpieces, this long overdue translation is a revelation.