(the third chapter of Shell Games) England and its North American extremities also spoke much a similar language. One wrote to confess it was growing very tired of seeing only subjects’ backs; the other replied it was equally leery of losing the necessary leverage and independence an arm affords. Another volleyed folly eventually ensued….
Tag: Commentary
Bedeviled by “Devil”
written August 6, 2011 What are we to do with something like Devil in the White City? It’s won an award for Best Fact Crime, and labeled as History, but reads with enough dramatic, pulpy push that it could be taken to the beach. It’s this tension between professional and lay you put your…
Open Call for Opinion Writing Concerning Guns
Hello all, This is an open call for submissions of diverse opinions and experiences on the subject of guns, for inclusion in a final, collected post of entries where your thoughts will appear alongside others from around the world. With the United States Senate today beginning a filibuster dialogue into the night concerning American…
Incidentals
written June 4, 2016 Cornelius Cochran, besides having a rocking name, was known by my mother’s side of the family as the brightest known fruit on their limb, the polished family relation you set out for guests. Cornelius, you see, was a 19 year-old farm boy on his family’s homestead near Blandford, Massachusetts on…
A Fan’s Lament
written November 25, 2012 In honor of a recent New York Times restaurant review by Pete Wells: Love Smith, did you show your face at practice this week in preparation for San Francisco? Have you watched game film of the 49ers and made it available to players? Did you help draw up the…
The Pain You’re Feeling In Your Side Is Democracy (I Think)
written June 1, 2016 Something fantastical and absurd occurred yesterday on the campaign trail. After checking the history books it can confirmed it had never happened before. It made people in Toledo queasy, and others in Albuquerque absolutely anxious. The fact the many Americans cheered this same moment caused those in Toledo to feel all…
Is It In You?
written December 2005 You know what we need to do with steroids, don’t you? We need to give them to every single athlete out there, and quick too. There are literally tens of thousands of naturally-blessed athletes not getting to their full potential, it’s a real shame. I mean, let’s think about it for a…
Dear God
written January 2006 It’s me, Will, but then You already knew that. I won’t take much of Your time because Your services could definitely be used in other areas than listening to a guy in Norfolk, Virginia. It’s just that I have some questions, You see, and I thought for once I’d cut through all…
The Modern Jalapeno Popper
written February 11, 2006 Neil Young said in a recent issue of Rolling Stone that writing is all about being receptive. A song, he explained, can appear to him fully-formed, if only he is patient. In that way he receives songs more than writes them. If he is stuck for a lyric or stanza it…
“Crazy in My Happiness”
written June 2010 In my Navy days my home was the size of a pine box. I know what you’re thinking; I’m slyly comparing my past shipboard sleeping arrangements to the grave. But in this case I was envious of the dead- at least they did not have to endure other sailors’ toxic socks and…
The Old New Soapbox
TV news of all stripes regularly, breathlessly over-aim reality; it is par for the cable-course. So when an election of legitimately historic trajectory appears over the horizon, the bright lights and slickly produced segments’ bag of adjectives can be found wanting from past overuse. The single word, “unique,” will serve. It is not normal…
No One Will Believe You 