Let them eat cake (again)

December 4, 2017

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of a Colorado baker who refused to create a wedding cake for a gay couple on religious grounds.

As I understand it, baker Jack Phillips wasn’t opposed to selling Charlie Craig and David Mullins a cake, just a wedding cake. In other words, he doesn’t mind their living in “sin,” just legitimizing that “sinfulness.”

The couple sued and so we are here. The arguments go something like this: Phillips has a right to make a cake – or not – for whomever. Craig and Mullins have a right to be served by a public business. ...

Fed, Nole and the return (not) of the king

September 17, 2015

When I wrote the headline “Parting thoughts on the US Open,” I lied. I’m still haunted by the men’s final, in which Novak Djokovic had to play not only Roger Federer but his idolatrous status and a hostile crowd to prevail for the title.

The meme all this week has been “Where’s the love for Nole,” plumbed by many of the same publications – that means you, New York Times – that couldn’t get enough of Feddy Bear and Serena. The reaction to the reaction has been all over the place ...

To ‘Sir,’ with love

April 12, 2015

A big shout-out to opera star Renée Fleming, a woman after my heart.

In The New York Times’ T magazine column “Take Two,” which juxtaposes comments from unlikely duos on unusual products, she has this to say about “Sir” (Taschen, 700 smackeroos), photographer Mario Testino’s ode to men:

“I had a lot of fun looking at this. It has more six-packs than a 7-Eleven. I like that men are now being scrutinized in the way that women have been for so long.”

Her mighty opposite here – Arnold Schwarzenegger, who knows a thing or two about sculpted male bodies – added: “What I discovered in here was an extraordinary celebration of men. It’s the ideal Christmas present. If I’d spend $700 on a pair of shoes, why not on a book?”

Why indeed? Certainly, Mr. Darcy himself, Colin Firth – one of the subjects, along with George Clooney, Jude Law, Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and others – would alone be worth the price of the book. ...

Just say “No More”

January 5, 2015

The NFL, deep into playoffs after a regular season of scandal, is also deep into its commitment to public service announcements against domestic violence and sexual assault.

The P.S.A.s feature current and former stars like the New York Football Giants’ quarterback and good guy Eli Manning saying “No More” – to such dangerous platitudes as “But he’s such a nice guy,” “She was asking for it,” “He just has a temper” or “We don’t talk about that.”

You may remember similar spots featuring actors Amy Poehler and Courtney Cox and fashion guru Tim Gunn. They’re the brainchild of No More, a five-year-old coalition against domestic violence and sexual assault working with actor Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart organization. ...