I’ve read a fair amount about this period in American history, but no work has brought it all together in the way that S.C. Gwynne’s Empire of the Summer Moon did. It is somewhat tempting to view this as a Plains Indians version of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, but the book is so Read More …
Category: Blog
These are random thoughts about topics that interest me — including books, rock and roll, philosophy, culture and daily life. I update it whenever the mood strikes me, shooting for at least once a week but often more frequently than that. I welcome your comments on anything I may discuss here and, when appropriate, will reply as promptly as possible.
Review of ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ by J.D. Vance
As usual, I’m a couple of years behind in getting to this book, which some people seem to view as some sort of cultural touchstone. To the degree that it portrays a family living in a kind of cultural backwater – both geographically and symbolically – Hillbilly Elegy is interesting enough. Vance’s description of his Read More …
Good news is not limited to the holidays
As the holiday season arrives, it’s common to see the newspaper filled, in print and online, with reports of the generosity and kindness of people throughout the suburbs. Yet, it’s also important to recognize that — contrary to popular opinion — good works, positive accomplishments and just plain good news are common in daily newspapers Read More …
Series lets candidates for governor introduce themselves
For a state whose many problems often appear all but unsolvable, Illinois certainly has no shortage of people willing to take on the challenge. Eight men and one woman already have announced they want to be the state’s next governor, with a week and half still to go before they can even file petitions. They Read More …
Stories that appeal to our fears, also need perspective
The tip came into reporter Eric Peterson shortly before 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. Someone had heard of a SWAT team at work in Schaumburg and there were reports of a weapon. Within minutes, Peterson confirmed with Schaumburg police that a large group of officers — but no SWAT team — were conducting a search and an Read More …
Without respect, there’s no ‘more perfect union’
If I could one day have some personal impact on the world, it would not be to advance a social or political issue, even though, like anyone, I feel strongly about certain issues. It would be to advance the level of respect and self-control we all employ when we promote the social and political ideals Read More …
Reports of tragedy can be vivid, accurate and still show sensitivity
A news outlet confronts many conflicting demands when it comes to reporting sensational news. Some of them have to do with sensitivity. Some with service. Some with audience appeal. Some with raw competition. All have come into play in various ways this week. You may be interested in the Daily Herald’s approach, a policy that Read More …
Kneeling, patriotism, talking and the need to listen
“We need to talk.” It’s one of the most dreaded phrases in the English language. But when said, it’s usually true. Just as true and just as dreaded, though perhaps not as familiar, is its natural corollary: “We need to listen.” A newspaper or social media forum can easily — perhaps too easily — facilitate Read More …
‘Fake news’ and the link between skepticism, trust
Speaking with “Fresh Air” radio host Terry Gross a couple of weeks ago, British singer/songwriter Billy Bragg said something that resonates with me as I listen Wednesday to an expert on “news literacy.” More on that in a moment. News literacy. The concept is more likely to get your attention via the currently popular term Read More …
Eclipse, Hurricane Harvey show our better nature
Last week started with the a solar eclipse. It ended with a devastating hurricane that was historic even by hurricane standards. It’s easy to see why primitive societies looked for messages from the divine in disruptions of nature. Today, we will leave it to sources more in touch with metaphysics to determine whether any such Read More …