Opinion and Commentary
Sequester: The Tragic Folly of President Obama’s Tried-and-Failed Negotiating Strategy, Pt. 1
March 25, 2013 | Eric ShapiroOn the heels of an inauguration speech widely celebrated by liberals and progressives, President Obama almost immediately fell back into some of the same patterns that hampered his first term agenda. Despite a more aggressive posture, a candidate who talked a good game about changing the country proved reluctant to alter his own governing style to meet the challenge.
Five Reasons the New York Knicks Face a Steep Climb in the NBA Playoffs
March 20, 2013 | Flatironhot ContributorBy Brendan McNamara
With a little over a month remaining in the 2013 NBA season, the New York Knicks have had a tremendous year, making basketball relevant while making their way to a championship. MVP discussions surround Carmelo Anthony and the team as a whole.
What it Means to “Not Believe in” Climate Change
March 19, 2013 | Eugene KaplanFlatiron Hot! is honored to have renowned scientist Eugene H. Kaplan, the author of several Peterson Field Guides as well as memoirs charting his global travels as a researcher and activist (take a look at his works on Amazon here), contributing a weekly column on scientific issues of interest to layman readers.
Pitcher Shaun Marcum Throws Steady Game for New York Mets
March 18, 2013 | Mike MandelkernOriginally published on Mets On My Mind
Shaun Marcum, a veteran of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Milwaukee Brewers, is the only significant free agent purchase the New York Mets made during the off-season.
He is projected to be a more consistent pitcher than last year’s back-of-the-rotation starter, Chris Young. Still, R.A. Dickey was one of a kind and Marcum cannot be expected to single-handedly replace his production.
Indie Rock Review: Above The Fold Band – Deep End of Down – “Press On” Review
March 11, 2013 | Eric ShapiroOriginally published on indieshuffle
In an album loaded with angst and heartache, “Press On” provides a much-needed dose of unrestrained optimism.
From its opening drum roll to its final chorus, this standout track exudes positive energy, suggesting that for all the sorrows chronicled throughout Above the Fold’s debut album, Deep End of Down, guitarist/vocalist Sean Gibson sees a light at the end of the tunnel.
“FDR and the Jews” Authors Richard Breitman and Allan J. Lichtman Speak at Center for Jewish History
March 8, 2013 | Eric ShapiroOn Thursday, March 7th from 6:30 to 8 pm, distinguished historians Richard Breitman and Allan J. Lichtman delivered a lecture at the Center for Jewish History, moderated by Elizabeth Borgwardt, on their new non-fiction book, Roosevelt and the Jews. Read More
What Game of Thrones Season 3 MUST Get Right (Spoilers)
March 7, 2013 | Eric ShapiroWarning: This article contains massive spoilers from A Storm of Swords and, by extension, season 3 of Game of Thrones. Read no further if you haven’t read the book and want to be surprised.
In only two seasons, Game of Thrones has established itself as not only a worthy adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s beloved fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, but one of the best drams on TV in its own right.
Never Mind the Oscars, Here are the Top Five Movies of 2012
February 27, 2013 | Jonas PaslauskasWith the 2013 Oscars come and gone, here’s a look back at five intriguing 2012 films. Whether they have been nominated multiple times or utterly overlooked at the Academy Awards, here are – in no particular order – five movies that merit recognition for their boldness, conviction, and innovation: Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty, Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, Steve McQueen’s Shame, William Friedkin’s Killer Joe and the Wachowski siblings’ Cloud Atlas.
2013 Oscars: The Onion’s High-Tech Lynching of Beasts of the Southern Wild Star Quvenzhané Wallis
February 25, 2013 | Eric ShapiroDuring the 2013 Academy Awards ceremony (sorry, the Oscars), satirical publication The Onion set Twitter ablaze with an outrageous – and, many claim, racially-charged – tweet about 9-year-old Beasts of the Southern star Quvenzhané Wallis. And just what were those 17 inflammatory words that sparked such an uproar on the night of the Oscars?
New York Mets Kick off Spring Training With 5-3 Win Over Washington Nationals
February 23, 2013 | Mike MandelkernOriginally published on Mets On My Mind
On February 23 at 12:00 noon on a warm, sunny day in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, the New York Mets kicked off their spring training against the Washington Nationals, live from Tradition Field. The team’s minor leaguers looked sloppy on defense, committing three errors, yet the team persevered, managing to pull off a 5-3 victory.