As the daughter of community activists, I have spent my life being suspect of American culture, media and politics. As a product of the Reagan '80's, I learned that our government is not to be trusted and the worst things I suspect of our leaders are probably true. As...
I am now considering how qualified and experienced Nader is for the presidency and he doesn't look good. Then again, neither Kerry nor Edwards has experience leading, either. I'm also considering how effective Nader would be as president. I...
I want to be a centrist: reasonable, willing to see both sides, comfortable with progress through compromise. Arguably the only progress that’s ever made in our political system is the progress that happens when both Republicans and Democrats work together, put aside...
Okay, so there’s this debate going on among leftists and further-to-the-leftists: why elect John Kerry when he’s so centrist it will barely make a difference? The argument is that John Kerry’s record shows that he isn’t nearly as far to the left as he would need to be...
In the July 19 issue of Newsweek, the “Conventional Wisdom” section makes this statement about Vice President Dick Cheney, “Campaigns like Scrooge on tour.” I showed it to the stranger sitting next to me on the train and made a friend, for a moment.
Last night I attended the opening of Jamie Black's one-man show Living Inside Myself at the Bailiwick Repertory Theater (1229 West Belmont Avenue in Chicago). If you think I'M honest about my personal life in public spaces like this blog and my songwriting, you've got...
Thanks to those of you who responded to yesterday’s posting, either by commenting here or sending me an email. I appreciate all of your input. I guess I'm just expressing the frustration of having no control over random chance (not an original expression). A college...
Not believing in god or destiny, I believe it's up to us to make things happen for ourselves. But after having tried many methods to find a lasting relationship, I'm about to conclude that this is the one area in which there is nothing I can do. A friend once said to...
A Transplanted Californian Re-programing for the Chivalry of the Midwest I came of age in California in the 1980’s. I was painfully aware, even from the inside of them, that they were totally lame compared to the cool 70’s and the political 60’s. I’m still surprised...
I'm a musician. I have spent years and years studying music, becoming a better singer, performer, and songwriter. Sometimes I feel like I am moving achingly slowly and I wonder if I am wasting my life. In the past few years, I have become increasingly critical of my...
On this Fourth of July, I'd like to remind all those Americans who love to say that we saved France's ass in World War II: 1776 - The signing of the Declaration of Independence took place at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, a war that would drag on into the...
I left the apartment with no umbrella and just my straw hat, thinking the day might become sunny, even if it was starting off gray. I hadn't seen any weather forecasts, so I was surprised when it began to rain shortly after I got on the train. It was amazing to...
The Ballad of Regina or The Divorce Fairy or F@#$! F@#$ me! Gather 'round, you Singletons and you will hear a tale. His name was Mario and from Havana he did hail. His bride and he dreamt of a U.S. life, so free and fine, but she had a change of heart and had to stay...
My sister (one year younger) is named Judy and she has a special needs child. Julia is going to be eight years old this summer and she takes a lot of attention and patience. Her diagnosis with her school district is “autistic characteristics” and although Julia looks...
The email gave the backstory as follows: Earlier this year, the web site for the Bush-Cheney campaign - the real one, paid for by MBNA America and Richard Scaife - featured a "create your own banner" tool, that allowed you to enter your own slogan and print out your...