How is it that the "Saxophone Colossus" Sonny Rollins lived to 95? Aren't jazz musicians supposed to die at tragically early ages? Actually, that's a myth that Rollins and others proved flawed. It's true that Bix Beiderbecke, king of the cornet, was gone at 28, Charlie Parker at 34, Dinah ...
Here in Washington, D.C., we endure slights of the president's barking, his constant use of capital letters and his ever-present red ties. These are forms of shouting, weapons of psychological warfare that he wields as the master of repetition. Then there's the 250-foot Arch he plans to build, ...
As an Alpena County Commissioner, today I participated in a regularly scheduled bi-monthly board meeting to conduct county business. On every meeting’s agenda are the public comment periods. I am not sure how many Alpena County citizens are aware, but there is a very controversial issue currently being debated regarding the Alpena County Fairgrounds. Meetings the last few months have been inundated with large numbers of citizens wanting to voice their objections to the proposed plans, which they have every right to do. I can feel the emotion behind all the noise and insults, but am ...
This summer, the United States celebrates its 250th birthday. In 1776, few people believed this new version of self-government would last. After the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked what kind of government the Founding Fathers had created. "A republic," he replied, ...
Established shortly after the Civil War, Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance for Americans to honor those who have sacrificed their lives defending American democracy. So it was exquisitely on-brand for a president who defrauded the U.S. military by fabricating "bone spurs" to evade ...
Whatever the outcome of the "deal, or no deal" scenario with Iran, the public attitude toward the war has been disturbing. Despite President Trump's constant admonition that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon, a majority of those polled oppose the intervention. A side effect of the war has ...
