As a doctor I spend all day using long words, so I figure I have the short ones down. But when prominent politicians get in trouble, I realize I have no clue how to use even the simplest words. First Bill Clinton said, “It depends upon what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” You can’t even say that sentence without using the word “is”! I thought that was as... »

I hate that no matter how much money you spend on your kids, it seems like someone else is always spending more. Last weekend, for a formal dance at my daughter’s middle school, other people’s children were pulling up in limousines. And now, after 2 years of litigation, French businessman Francois-Henri Pinault has finally agreed to pay supermodel and... »

I got a sinking feeling this week reading that Australian mining billionaire Clive Palmer has commissioned a Chinese shipbuilder to craft a new version of the Titanic, to be named...wait for it...the Titanic II. Representatives of the company, CSC Jinling, could not confirm the story, but if true it would the be the shipbuilder’s first foray into making... »

You know what’s scary about getting what you want? There are always unintended consequences. For example, pediatricians constantly urge families to go outdoors. Now, according to this week’s New York Times, some combination of Daylight Savings Time and global warming seems to be driving families outside to play badminton, ride bikes, and run down to the... »

It’s official: Angelina Jolie has raised the bar for ambitious celebrities everywhere. Sure, she lives with Brad Pitt, but so did Jennifer Aniston. Yes, Jolie adopted children from developing countries, but Madonna can do that while simultaneously singing at the Super Bowl. Only Angelina Jolie, however, can claim to be a Special Envoy of the United Nations.... »

This week began with a tremendous loss, not only to television journalism, but to common sense. I spent countless Sunday nights of my youth learning the art of incredulity from Mike Wallace. Wallace was willing to look the most powerful people in the world straight in the eye and exclaim, “Oh, come on!” Inspired, I tried it out on my principal. There must... »

“Mystery” is such a cool word! I always wanted to be a “man of mystery,” and often I succeed, leaving people around me wondering, “What was he thinking?” “Mystery,” however, loses its allure when paired with the word “meat,” as it often is in school cafeterias. Even there, however, it remains acceptable, at least when ketchup adds to the intrigue. 2012 will... »