Rick LaFleur: Hercules, Steve Reeves, and Miss Gladys Giddens
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Rick LaFleur: Hercules, Steve Reeves, and Miss Gladys Giddens

First time I encountered Hercules I was 12 or so. Not the Marvel Comics hero who debuted in 1964, but the unforgettable bodybuilder-turned-actor Steve Reeves in the 1958 English-dubbed Italian film, “Hercules,” the first of eight sword-and-sandal flicks he starred in over the next five years. For me it was love at first fight, and…

Democracy is on the ballot, thanks to project 2025
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Democracy is on the ballot, thanks to project 2025

Last week, Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat , author of “Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present,” commented that “one of the most alarming things” about “Project 2025” is the blatant admission that Donald Trump did not accomplish everything he intended to in his first administration. “They got a slow start […] so their codeword is ‘day one,’” Ben-Ghiat…

Are you and blood pressure best buddies?
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Are you and blood pressure best buddies?

Although I receive three or more official doctor’s office blood pressure readings annually, I have procrastinated about regularly assessing my blood pressure at home. I’m sincerely striving to behave responsibly. My father died of a massive heart attack and my maternal grandmother suffered a series of ministrokes in her later years, so I know hypertension…

Would you gamble on a Biden comeback?
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Would you gamble on a Biden comeback?

One of the saddest fables people comforted themselves with over the past eight years was the one about the strength of American institutions: The voters could elevate an unfit, malevolent demagogue, but our checks and balances were robust; our institutions would prevent any serious damage. Over the course of these years, one institution after another…

Biden remains the better choice in the election
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Biden remains the better choice in the election

When it comes to the issue of debates, perception is often just as crucial as reality and substance. There is no way to codify the fact that Joe Biden’s debate performance last week was nothing short of dismal. The ferocity we witnessed at his State of the Union earlier this year was absent, although his…

What’s a good age gap for couples?
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What’s a good age gap for couples?

A recent news development has left some folks scandalized and others envious. (And still others grumbling, “I don’t need no stinking news developments! I’m too busy getting ready to vote!”) I’m speaking of the revelation that former New England Patriots coaching legend Bill Belichick (age 72) is dating 24-year-old beauty pageant contestant Jordon Hudson. (Please…