Author Archives: dowbrigade

About dowbrigade

Semi-retired academic from Harvard, Boston University, Fulbright Commission, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manta, currently columnist for El Diario de Portoviejo and La Marea de Manta.

Lilac Tuesday and Artificial Intelligence

Every May, without fail, the Dowbrigade drifts into a fragrant nostalgic reverie when the lilacs come into bloom. We grew up in upstate New York, near Rochester’s Highland Park, which together with the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, claim to … Continue reading

Posted in Friends and Family, Prose Screeds | 3 Comments

OS Wars

Posted in Humor, Photos | 3 Comments

Live from Bar Camp Boston

The Dowbrigade News is coming to you live this morning from BarCamp Boston, at Marignon High School in Cambridge. This is the third Bar Camp in as many years, and the success of the idea is seen in the increasing … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging, Boston, Technology | 3 Comments

Fantastic Finish Coming Right Up

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The contest with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton not quite over and the one with Senator John McCain not quite under way, Senator Barack Obama is floating somewhere between the two major phases of his long campaign … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Prose Screeds | Comments Off on Fantastic Finish Coming Right Up

Dowbrigade Denies V.P. Rumors

Barack Obama’s press conference this afternoon may have been the death knell of his ersatz presidential campaign, if not of his aspirations. In an ingenious twist in the script, by utilizing a surrogate as the scandal object, Obama can lose … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Prose Screeds, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Dowbrigade Denies V.P. Rumors

999 Luftballoons

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest who floated off under hundreds of helium party balloons was missing Monday off the southern coast of Brazil. Rescuers in helicopters and small fishing boats were searching off the coast of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Wacky News | 10 Comments

The Last Days of Barack Obama

The demolition of the Obama phenomena is now well underway, and the only matters remaining to be resolved are timing, deniability and how far the destruction needs to go. Meanwhile, the denouement of Act One must be accomplished with pathos, … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Prose Screeds | 2 Comments

Growing Up Retarded

Anyone who has been to the supermarket lately (which means everyone except the very rich and Presidential candidates) is aware of what is happening with food prices. Even with weekly specials, manufacturers coupons and heavy reliance on store brands, $80 … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Prose Screeds | 3 Comments

Last Man Standing – Hillary!

Although we saw straight through the Obama phenomena when we first met the man four years ago, there are several heartening aspects to his runaway popularity. Even though he hasn’t a Kibbutznik’s chance in Sadr City of winning the nomination, … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Prose Screeds | 9 Comments

Hallelujah!

Wednesday night’s summary execution of the Sonics by the Celtics, 111-82, was more of a mercy killing than a duel, and  looked at times like a gaggle of Junior High JVs against a team of McDonald’s All-Americans. Pleased as punch … Continue reading

Posted in Celtics, Sports | Comments Off on Hallelujah!

The Unfolding Narrative of Queen Hillary

Hillary believers need not fear. The Obama phenomena has reached its high tide mark right on cue, and the froth and spray are starting to ebb. Just as scripted by her consort the Master Planner, the Warrior Princess will emerge, … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging, Politics, Prose Screeds | 2 Comments

Scapegoats Save Professional Sports

At first glance, finding a common thread running between Major League Baseball’s tying Roger Clemens to the stake as part of its witch hunt against steroids and other performance enhancing drugs, and the National Football League’s public dressing down and … Continue reading

Posted in Sports | 5 Comments