If anyone thought that Washington (either side) was working on behalf of the nation, just take a look at the aftermath of Pennsylvania Senator Morino’s withdrawal as the nominee for drug czar. “Nobody knew, they fooled us. I don’t know who contributes to my campaigns,” he stated in his defense. Democrats and Republicans. Shame! It’s …
Crossroads
“Needing a time-out from marriage and my career, a do-over, I had volunteered for the United Nations mission. Actually, it wasn't a new idea. In the heady days of my youth, I had been accepted to the Peace Corps after college and assigned to go to Afghanistan but chose, instead, to marry my boyfriend to …
In Retrospect
Patriotism is a two-sided blade. Positive patriotism promotes national unity, cohesion, and pride. Negative patriotism causes xenophobia, squashes dissent, and reduces innovation. Let’s imagine for a moment that President Trump's speech in Arkansas in September, 2017 went something like this: “I’ve been troubled by watching football players take the knee during the pre-game playing of …
Sharing My Writer’s Process
I slapped my empty suitcase onto the bed and looked at my best friend, Marilyn. "What the hell do I pack for a year? Seriously, what have I gotten myself into this time?" Marilyn frowned, slowly shaking her head. “Couldn’t you take the geographical cure somewhere more civilized?” The muscles in my face tightened. “Not …
Martha White
Years ago I sent out—mostly via US mail, but by e-mail to those few of us who had it—a monthly letter addressed to “Dear Martha White.” Martha White was not anyone’s real name. She was just a photo on a white sack of white flour, a symbol of good white stuff! And for me, she …
My First Blog Post
Presidents Trump’s travel bans, his rescinding of former president Obama’s executive order protecting the Dreamers, and promoting the imposition of fees on money sent to Mexican families by persons in the US all speak to his xenophobia or, perhaps more cynically, his attempts to appeal to his “base.” In the story titled “Roaches,” I explore …
