Brian’s Column: The Jesus Immunity

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Brian Wright

Penetrating the “limbic system barrier”… in our time

Note: If you are a Bible-breathing advocate of Jesus Christ as your/our personal savior, then let me tell you from the outset that my column today is not referring to that Jesus.

Respectfully, my Jesus is a special man who, like the Buddha and other spiritual teachers, conveys universal truths—that many are coming to see as especially helpful for fulfilling our human potential. The appreciation of these truths—as a means for breaking thru the major political barrier to human consciousness—is the context for my comments today. — bw Continue reading →

Human Interest: All We Got is Time

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Brian Wright

Fiction by John Ryan

With John’s story, the Coffee Coaster is starting a test feature, in which the literary piece is excerpted from its beginning to a logical breaking point. Then the reader will directed to a Web page in the Scribd social publishing Website where for a small amount (often $1) the reader can purchase the entire story in electronic format. [1]

John’s full story “All We Got is Time” may be obtained at this scribd link. Continue reading →

Movie Review: Taking Chance

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Brian Wright

Touching made-for-HBO “antiwar film” ___ 8/10
Review by Brian Wright

Lt. Col. Mike Strobl: If I’m not over there, what am I? Those guys, guys like Chance… they’re Marines.
Charlie Fitts: And you think you’re not? Want to be with your family every night – you think you have to justify that? You’d better stop right there, sir. You’ve brought Chance home. You’re his witness now. Without a witness, they just disappear.

You might want to check your supply of Kleenex before you slip Taking Chance into the DVD player. As you realize from the trailer, this is a story about a Marine escort (a real-life Lt. Colonel Mike Strobl played by Kevin Bacon) for a casket containing a young “killed-in-Iraq” soldier[1] named Chance Phelps. Chance is, or was, a real-life person, too. Continue reading →

Human Interest: Tell Me about Her

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Brian Wright

Tell Me about Her
Fiction by Ronald Kaiser

Another too-true, slice-of-life short story from the
Granite State author du jour, Ronald Kaiser[1]

“Tell me about her,” she says, lying in bed one night. He knows who she’s talking about right away.

“Let’s not do this now. I’ll tell you some other time,” he comes back.

Continue reading →

Book Review: A Tan and Sandy Silence

Posted on September 17, 2009 by Brian Wright

Middle of the pack, lesser Travis, but good enuf
by John D. MacDonald
Review by Brian Wright

Frankly I don’t remember the plot too well on this one. Travis does reflect quite a bit on life and love, but these philosophical passages did not seem central as in so many others in the series. The plot involves a search for a missing person, a woman with whom Travis has had a relationship long ago… which ended amiably.

I would have to say this novel, which I believe is number 13 out of 21, reveals the beginnings of Travis’s anxiety over slowing down with age. As a salvage expert, McGee has made a career from helping people in distress. But in so doing—and not being a man of conventional methods—he runs into considerable danger and damage. Indeed it’s somewhat of a conventional ending to witness McGee suffering broken bones, cuts, gunshot wounds, knife stabbings, and even beatings. His adversaries are practically as physical as he is and sleazy cunning. Continue reading →

Human Interest: Don’t Throw Mama off the Turnpike

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Brian Wright

The “Free State Audi A4” finds a new home abroad
by Brian Wright

Note: The PDF version of this article contains the photos and artwork as well. The article is also available for sale on Lulu.com.

Contents

The Free State Audi
Finding that perfect buyer…
Okay, here’s the plan, Mom…. Mom?!
On the road again
Making the deal
Windmills? We ain’t got no stinkin’ windmills!
Coda

Continue reading →

Guest Column: USS Liberty, Liberty, and 9/11

Posted on June 6, 2009 by Brian Wright

Letter re: our republic and the threat of Zionism
by Dean Hazel

Posted by the Coffee Coaster with permission of the author

Dear Jim and other USS Liberty Survivors and Supporters:

Note this amazing video, in which FOX News allows an expert to discuss the evidence for controlled demolition on the World Trade Center buildings on 9/11… without attempting to ridicule him. You have to hear what this man [Richard Gage, leader of Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth] has to say!!!!