House Minority Leader Joseph McCarthy…er…Kevin McCarthy (sorry, Freudian keyboard slip) announced which of his members will serve on the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.
Category Archives: Commentary
Who would’ve thought the Kingston Trio could predict the future
Commentary All they needed were a few lyrical updates The recent headlines from America and, indeed, around the world, have been horrific. Apocalyptic, even. A sampling: Portland records all-time high temperature of 116, setting new record for third day in a row
Cancel Culture: County opts to honor Black professor, not slave owner
I don’t know about you, but I’m conflicted about this “cancel culture” phenomenon, particularly the part in which public institutions are being considered for a name change because they’re named after an individual who is now considered unfit for the honor.
Poland, America, Racism and Anti-Semitism
Commentary Systemic? Individual actions? When it comes to prejudices, it is, indeed, a small world, after all. Poland holds a special place for our family. Sharon’s father was born in Łomza, Poland, emigrating to America when he was seven-years old. Because he was originally a Polish citizen, after much research, several years of pulling documentsContinue reading “Poland, America, Racism and Anti-Semitism”
Education – then and now
Commentary Then: Conquistadors were heroes; Now: Racism isn’t systemic; it’s just a bunch of individual racists. I recently posted a column, “The revelations of a road trip,” which was sub-headed, “How a drive in Florida reminded me of what I learned and didn’t learn in school.” You can read the column here: https://around-the-block.com/2021/06/04/the-revelations-of-a-road-trip/. Among the commentsContinue reading “Education – then and now”
Florida, my Florida
Commentary Despite being the butt of late night comics’ jokes, there are a lot of good things about Florida. But then every once in a while… When Sharon and I announced that we would be moving to Florida at a dinner in Marin County with some of closest friends, the reaction was a combination ofContinue reading “Florida, my Florida”
The land where almost no one visited and its favorite son, Joe, Duke of Manchin
A Fable The story of one ambitious man’s rise to power, influence and breathtaking lack of irony. Once upon a time there was a land where almost no one visited. The land was unblessed, except for one thing. Black, dusty stuff that came out of the ground. No one in this land knew what toContinue reading “The land where almost no one visited and its favorite son, Joe, Duke of Manchin”
Federal judge overturns California’s ban on assault weapons
Commentary Ruling leads to the first annual Around the Block “One of these things is not like the others” contest Before we get deep into the headlined story, I thought it might be fun if we’d first take a break and warm up with the first annual Around the Block “One Of These Things IsContinue reading “Federal judge overturns California’s ban on assault weapons”
The revelations of a road trip
Commentary How a drive in Florida reminded me of what I learned and didn’t learn in school. Around the Block has been quiet for a while. It’s not because I haven’t had any things I’ve wanted to say; there’s plenty to say: Trump is back; “Trumpism” never went away; Pence is still acting the toady;Continue reading “The revelations of a road trip”
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
Commentary A Daily Kos reader responded to a recent Around the Block about voter suppression lamenting “sarcastic diaries*” like mine, I guess, while “…still waiting for someone who has an ingenious solution.” I believe it will take more than “ingenuity.” (*”Diary” is the Daily Kos term for a story.) I frequently re-post Around the BlockContinue reading ““I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!””
