What would we do without statistics? Newspapers would actually have to report on events, sociologists would talk about feelings and baseball commentators would have almost nothing to say. Such is the state of the world. Statistics are particularly appropriate to our digital age where every... Continue
Columnist
President Barack Obama has often stated that he seeks to be a transformational president. Assuming that the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) survives the Tea Party plan to shut down the U.S. government in order to force him to relinquish his signal achievement as the... Continue
In his children’s story “The Lorax,” Dr. Seuss presents a parable about greed depleting the richness of nature and the enduring power of human longing. In his tale, beautiful Truffula trees cover the land and display a soft and colorful foliage which is exploited to... Continue
I was minding my own business when a friend came up and asked, “If you’re building a building and you find a burial ground, that stops everything, right, or if you find some arrowheads, or if you...” I took a sip from my coffee cup and,... Continue
By all accounts, particularly his own, poet Charles Bukowski was a miserable wretch. I attended one of his readings in my youth, and from the mini-fridge next to his stool on stage, he extracted beer after beer; as the evening progressed he ended up falling-down... Continue
First, I would like to wish all readers a wonderful Labor Day. Second, I would like to explore the history of this wondrous National holiday. Third, please don’t discuss with my children the history behind this three-day weekend. I have lied to them. They believe... Continue
This week I write about what’s going on in Egypt, and Sonoma’s Sister City there, Aswan. I have provided several updates over the last few years, but in the past month, Egypt finds itself deeper and deeper in a state of utter chaos. There has... Continue
He stroked his beard, leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes in thought. I’d known Ben Eleazar for many years, but never could predict how long such pauses would go on. I’d once waited two hours and twenty two minutes. “Ok,” he said,... Continue
I was standing in the shower the other night when I peered down at my feet. They Have carried me through life and I had never thanked them. They seemed so far away, way down there, I guess I forgot about them. I apologized: “You’ve been... Continue
As summer closes, the family took a little excursion to the northern frontier, winding our way out of Seattle to the little town of Monroe, Washington. A McKale family reunion brought first, second and third cousins together from all over the U.S. Washington has unique... Continue