Joe Marconi on Life’s Business

The most quoted line of the philosopher and essayist George Santayana is, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." It’s a good line, often said by someone who wants to warn people not to keep doing the same things and expecting different results. The last bit, of course, is also how some people glibly define insanity, but I don’t agree. I think people who keep repeating...  Read More

The name Maya seems to be increasingly popular for girls these days. Maya is the Greek word for “mother” and is Latin for “great.” In Hinduism, the word Maya means “an illusion” – something that deceives the senses or mind. Oh – while on the subject of illusions – former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich announced he is seriously considering seeking the Republican presidential nomination....  Read More

On July 13, 2010 New York Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner died at the age of 80. Eulogies poured in from everywhere, particularly from broadcasters, many of whom knew Mr. Steinbrenner personally or had covered him for decades. Perhaps the most interesting expression of non-grief came from the often controversial radio “personality” Rush Limbaugh, who told his estimated 20 million listeners, "...  Read More

Even the most intense person among us can’t read War and Peace at the beach every summer. Let’s just review some of the perennials. According to the highly respected Modern Library list, these are the top seven of the all time best nonfiction books: 1. The Education Of Henry Adams by Henry Adams 2. The Varieties Of Religious Experience by William James 3. Up From Slavery ...  Read More