Like many, many parents and grandparents around this country, Lucy and I had the experience of learning of a mass shooting in a school in the city where our grandchildren live. Fortunately, our son-in-law had the presence of mind to text us, before the news broke, that his sons were safe and that the attack ...
I have often written about my aversion to calling our United States “the greatest country on Earth,” as many politicians of both parties are wont to do. It’s an absurd statement to make. The statement begs the question, “by what criteria did we earn ‘greatest country’ status?” Did some respected international institution give us the ...
Because my dogs, Sia and Bubba, insist on getting me up by 5:30 in the morning this time of year, I was able to observe the final hours of Boris Johnson’s life as Prime Minister, on the BBC. OK, I know he didn’t actually resign as PM, but he’s toast and everyone knows it. ...
I read lots of commentary last week after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Much of it delved into academic/legal arguments about the correctness of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision, including Justice Clarence Thomas’ supporting opinion on the reversal of Roe. Thomas’ opinion seems to rest on his interpretation of ...
Another 21 innocents have been slaughtered in our “great country,” sacrificed on the altar of gun manufacturers’ right to maximize profits. This sacrifice was enabled by the gross corruption that characterizes our political system, which allows companies that make weapons of death to buy loyalty through their powerful lobby, the NRA. So don’t ...
Were it not for Fitz McAden, my editor and friend of 70-plus years (yes, we played together as toddlers!), I might have missed this story from today’s New York Times. Court decisions about campaign financing don’t stand a chance of being noticed amid headlines about Ukraine, this week’s multiple mass shootings, the Roe v. Wade ...
When weeks go by without posting a blog, I fantasize that readers wonder why. Alas, like most fantasies, this one probably exists only in my mind. Still, I owe you an explanation for my long silence. I was preoccupied with three things: Holy Week and Easter — A pretty flimsy excuse, honestly, because ...
Hundreds of millions of people around the world are watching in horror as Putin’s invading hordes try to subdue Ukraine and render it a non-state. Most of them, I venture, feel as I do — overcome with a mix of sadness and anger. How can our country, which boasts democratic ideals backed up ...
During the last weeks of 2021, I simply didn’t want to write. I knew I wouldn’t be able to strike a light, optimistic tone befitting the season; trying to would come off as counterfeit. So instead of pretending cheer, I saved up some items to share as we roll into 2022. Do you remember ...
On Sept. 17, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, commander of US military operations in the Middle East, held a video conference with reporters. He acknowledged that a drone strike on Aug. 29 that was supposed to kill a group of Isis-K bombers had actually killed 11 innocent civilians, including children. He called it a “tragic mistake.” What ...
