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Posts published in “Essays”

A Beacon of Hope

Where 19th century genius meets 21st century thuggery… I had no idea that a militia of armed rebels was conducting a raid just minutes away as I stood in awe of the genius of 19th…

The Perpetual Stew

It was in the seventies when this happened. Synanon. It was the first drug rehab center. But it was more than that. It was its own little world. Chuck Dederick (the founder and number 1…

The Steal That Didn’t Get Stopped

There’s papers here. There’s papers there. Could be a desk underneath somewhere.  Entropy got a hold of me inexorably. I keep a stack of items that seem worth quoting if and when a hook presents…

Ride to Eat

A hundred miles before breakfast.  It was founding Rider staffer Dick Blom’s number one road rule in the old days back in the Seventies before many of you were born. His number two rule was…

Songs of Oz

One quick and easy way to go American is to lose the diacriticals. Born with a suspicious Umlaut, Mehmet Öz does business on tv—whether as celebrity host of his own long-running health show, or now…

Midway Madness

With half of the six scheduled Hearings by the House Jan. 6 Committee behind us, it’s time for an assessment. The MMM (mainstream mass media) and what remains of the once robust but never very…

The Season of the Witch

No, I don't know what it means. “The season of the witch” — neatly printed in white chalk on the wall opposite Fifth at Market. This is the wall of graffiti that first gave us…

COVID Vaccines for Toddlers Gets Approval

Last week, the FDA granted approval for use of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in children as young as 6 months old through the Emergency Use Authorization process.  Previously, the vaccines were approved for…

The Perfect Retirement Town

Retirees who want to move are always looking for a cute little village anchored by a vibrant downtown with lots of trendy bars and restaurants, and fun places to shop. Not us. We picked from…

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