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Posts published in “Essays”

Richard Nixon, Jews & Marijuana

What is about Jews and marijuana? That’s what Richard Nixon asked H. R. (Bob) Halderman 50-years ago, on May 26, 1971 to be precise. The White House tapes recorded Nixon saying, “There’s a funny thing,…

Claud Cockburn’s ‘Double Personality’

In his autobiography, I, Claud…, Cockburn describes being recruited by the Daily Worker in late 1936: “It was about this time that Mr. Pollitt, Secretary of the Communist Party of Great Britain, whom I had never met, was…

Middle Earth In Mendocino

We are a family of Tolkien geeks. It all started in Comptche back in the early 90s. As a newlywed couple my ex-husband Mike and I moved onto Flynn Creek Road to build a retirement…

The Trumpet Shall Sound

I live between a gorge and a graveyard. The gorge just to the south began forming some ten thousand years ago at the end of last Ice Age, and its northern rim is moving inexorably…

Mendocino Outlaws: The Manhunt Commences

The Mendocino Outlaws murdered Tom Dollard and William Wright on Wednesday, October 15, 1879. By the weekend Sheriff Jim Moore arrived in Mendocino City with a posse of four other men. Moore had sent a…

In Search of Sacajawea

I'm guessing we all know something about her. Lewis And Clark, and all. I now know she was more interpreter than guide, but still there with them. I've met her -- metaphysically speaking, of course…

Army Arrogance

“My God, what a beautiful day” I thought to myself as I was flying southbound in my 1954 Piper because for once the California Central Valley was absolutely crystal clear. It was only about 8:30…

Travelers, Sour & Sentimental

Texas loosens, Italy locks down. With the skies mostly still clear and quiet, one can hear the collective champing at the bit before the gates open...

Gary Womack: RIP

Gary Womack, 1940-2021, was not of our Valley; he was born and raised in a small town in southern Oregon few of us have ever heard of, Central Point in the Cascade foothills west of…

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