The past may live on forever in the South, but here on the West Coast in general and in Orange County in particular, it disappears storefront by storefront. Two iconic eateries in […]
Retorts: Two old and new “places to be”
Retorts: Vultures and victims, wise up
There’s a line in the 1987 film “Broadcast News” in which Albert Brooks’ character stares sourly at a network segment and growls, “Sex, tears, yes, this is the news.” In a bit […]
Retorts: These lands are your lands ….
Disneyland, located in Upper Garden Grove, is truly a magical kingdom. We were there on Wednesday, Marilyn and I, and we marveled at the huge throng present on a workday in November. […]
Retorts: A nation that’s still very divided
Note to readers: Columnist Jim Tortolano is taking the week off with Retorts. Here’s a “classic” column from a year ago. It seems like not much has changed. Back to live action […]
Retorts: Are “bad” words a good idea?
“Why are you guys farkling around? Ah, zork! Quit being such a honyocker!” This is how I swear. Pretty lame, eh? Well, maybe, maybe not. I wasn’t always quite so delicate in […]
Retorts: October’s delights and issues
“October had tremendous possibility. The summer’s oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.” ― Sarah Guillory, “Reclaimed” What […]
Retorts: Abe Lincoln and Amazon’s HQ2
I am a great believer in failure. Oh, yes, winning gets all the good press, but I’d wager to say that, over time, losing benefits you more than winning. Stay with me […]
Retorts: Guns in our hands, imaginations
Everyone is still a bit shook by Sunday night’s horrific events in Las Vegas. The worst mass shooting in American history was made even more painful by the fate of at least […]
Retorts: Next wave will be on two wheels
Back before you got your driver’s license, and then your first car, the first wave of independence you rode was on your bicycle. In elementary school, and maybe even for a while […]
Retorts: Thinking about what a real hero is
I don’t think I could have done it. In my military reserve days, they taught us that when a hand grenade lands by you, just fall flat on your face on the […]
