Matthew Arnold Stern » Current Affairs

Why separation of church and state is a good thing

Matthew Arnold Stern — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 01:45:48 +0000

Dear Senator Santorum: On ABC’s “This Week,” you said, “I don’t believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute” and that President Kennedy’s 1960 campaign speech about this subject made you want to “throw up.” What you may not realize is that the establishment clause is designed to protect you …

Your Google controversy of the day

Matthew Arnold Stern — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:53:13 +0000

Want to spice up your Valentine’s Day? Add some controversy! Go to Google.com and check out Google’s charming doodle for Valentine’s Day. Click the button to play and watch the doodle all the way to the end. At the last scene, the doodle shows happy couples in love. I, for one, am outraged that Google …

What is good technology? — Part II

Matthew Arnold Stern — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:37:29 +0000

Some big technology news came out over the past few weeks. First, the gadget-fest known as the Consumer Electronics Show. Second, Apple’s iBook announcements. And finally, the collapse of Congressional support for SOPA after the Internet’s show of force on Wednesday. What do all these tell us about good technology? Good technology is useful technology. …

No on SOPA/PIPA!

Matthew Arnold Stern — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:50:24 +0000

With all the protests going on throughout the Internet today, I wondered who would support legislation like SOPA/PIPA? These people. I was surprised and disappointed to see both of my state’s senators in favor of this legislation, especially since technology is one of our state’s key industries. So, write your congressional representatives and tell them you …

Tebow! So?

Matthew Arnold Stern — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:15:26 +0000

Why is everyone making such a big deal about Tim Tebow? Sure, he wins football games. Sure, he’s exciting to watch. So what if he wants to kneel and pray after a great play? Anyone who complains about displays of religiosity in sports hasn’t watched baseball. I’ve seen plenty of ballplayers cross themselves before they …

The Problem with Writing about Politics

Matthew Arnold Stern — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:11:49 +0000

Even though I’m finishing a novel about politics, I find it increasingly hard to write directly about current political issues. I started writing a post for this blog about the 99% who are occupying Wall Street, Los Angeles, and even Minneapolis to protest against the 1% wealthiest Americans. There is now a new group, the 53% who …

What 9/11 means to me

Matthew Arnold Stern — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 01:22:09 +0000

Let’s be honest: When we talk about “the meaning of 9/11,” we really mean “the meaning of 9/11 to me.” Even if you didn’t lose anyone on 9/11, even if don’t know any of the first responders, even if you had never set foot in the World Trade Center in your life, even if you …

Thank you, Steve

Matthew Arnold Stern — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:03:57 +0000

Updated October 5, 2011: Steve Jobs has died. Rest in peace and thank you once again. Why say “thank you” to a CEO, especially when so many corporate executives these days deserve scorn instead of praise? Outgoing Apple CEO Steve Jobs gets my thanks because he has helped me in a number of ways. My first …

Compromise and other dirty words

Matthew Arnold Stern — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:42:50 +0000

I listened to both President Obama’s and House Speaker Boehner’s speeches tonight. Both of them said that the United States can’t be allowed to default. Both of them said that the government needs to cut spending. Both of them said that they don’t want the middle class and poor to suffer at the hands of …

Like a pie in the face…

Matthew Arnold Stern — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:57:45 +0000

It’s hard not to follow the news these days without getting depressed. Journalism scandals. Politicians playing chicken with bankruptcy. Borders going the way of Licorice Pizza. It feels like getting hit in the face with a pie. Come to think of it, a pie would taste pretty good right now. Chocolate silk. So, what does …