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Posts published in “Essays”

In Defense of Michelle Hutchins

I have often wondered how I would have fared in the Milgram Experiment. Participants were told to push a button which supposedly would deliver an electrical shock to another "volunteer" when that volunteer gave an…

Tractors, A History

“For the tractor, despite its early promise to free mankind from grinding toil, has also brought us to the brink of ruin through carelessness and over use. This has happened throughout its history, but the…

Elders Wandering Ireland

If we’re lucky in our lives we get those few very precious days when Everything. Is. Perfect. You couldn’t ask for more. It could be a combination of location and travel companions and weather and…

The AVA Recommends

(WARNING: These recommendations assume that both political parties represent an ongoing menace to the health and welfare of the people of the United States.) GOVERNOR: Gloria LaRiva, P&F, if you're an old rad nostalgic for…

Humco Supe Denies ‘Secret Plan’ Allegations

Humboldt County Supervisor Estelle Fennell is calling for unity after denouncing accusations that she’s secretly supporting an alleged plan to skirt Eel River fish protection.  The uncertain fate of the Potter Valley Project (PVP) water…

The Ubiquitous Mr. Desplat

It can be an instructive and amusing exercise to pretend you’re the one who has to write the movie captions for the hearing impaired. Sound effects are easy: [distant artillery fire]; [a chainsaw in the closet];…

You Think It’s All About Guns?

Is it possible that we Americans only pretend not to notice the conditions that produce an epidemic of school shootings, or is the public just too dumbed-down to connect the dots? Look at the schools…

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