Saints and Scoundrels

A moral romp through the triumphs and travails of prominent Westerners.
by John Portmann

Ricky Martin Hits His Stride

Ricky Martin unveils himself in an autobiography and turns out to be interesting Read More

Lady Gaga's Power: An Abuse?

A sympathy revolution makes the world gay positive: Who will stop this revolution and how? Read More

Aging Gracefully

For all the world to see, Prince William bowed his balding head yesterday and wed Kate Middleton. How quickly William has grown up, now a man looking quite a bit older than his twenty-eight years. And how quickly William's father Charles has wizened. Life dashes by us, rich and cashless alike. Read More

Can You Have a Marriage Without Sex?

Prince William and Kate will marry as Christians, which means that the sexual pressure is on. Read More

Sex and the "Yuck" Factor

Why do we wince at the idea of people over the age of, say, seventy having sex? Heavy people? Unattractive people? Read More

Alzheimer's and Loneliness

Alzheimer's is only one of a number of problems which can end the sex life of a happily married couple. What do we think of the sexual needs of the ill spouse? The healthy spouse? Should a contemporary American whose spouse suffers from Alzheimer's or is confined to a nursing home simply sacrifice her sexual expectations? Read More

Biden's Plagiarism: Forgiven

Embarrassing "baggage" can indeed be tossed away
Read More

Our Swimmers, Our Sex Objects

NBC invites us on an elite voyeuristic romp. Read More

Good News for Narcissists!

Yes, you really can turn heads in your 40s (and 50s?). Now get to work! Read More

The Way Obama Speaks

It can't be said that Obama has a tin ear. How far can his preachy tone take him in Pennsylvania? Read More

A Pope in a Synagogue?

The pope in an American synagogue next week? What's next -- Jews in Catholic heaven?
Read More

Hillary Schadenfreude

When bad things happen to Hillary, we smile. What does that say about us? Read More

John Portmann

John Portmann is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia.

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The High Art of Handling Problem People

How to handle difficult people.