Read at Daily Herald website After watching the Illinois legislature these past few … what, months? years? … I’ve been thinking a lot about compromise and where it actually fits in the realm of political activity. As I write this, leaders have admitted that, for the third year in a row, they won’t make the 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 “I’m Just A Person” by Tig Notaro
I picked up I’m Just A Person because the jacket said it was an autobiography by one of the most popular comics of our time, and, since I’d never heard of her, I thought I’d learn a little something and have a good laugh or two. Well, one for two. I learned much about Tig Notaro, but Read More …
Review of “Everybody’s Fool” by Richard Russo
Russo is one of my favorite contemporary writers. Everybody’s Fool is not one of my favorite books. Its predecessor, Nobody’s Fool, wasn’t either, though it was pleasant enough and a moderately accurate depiction of small town life and human nature. It certainly featured Russo’s depth and insight in drawing vivid characters and portraying them as Read More …
Review of The Gene / An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee
On the Goodreads scale of 1 to 5, where 5 is as great as it can get, I give The Gene an 8. It’s not merely that Mukherjee makes an incredibly complex subject simple enough that even I can understand what he’s saying; it’s that he does it in so many interesting ways. He tells compelling Read More …
Spinner fad shows frivolity has its serious side
If Wednesday’s front-page headline “The fidget spinner: Tool or toy” had a familiar ring to you, this may be why: Aug. 31, 1997: Parents left holding the leash as schools ban cyber critters May 13, 1997: Fad turned learning tool Sept. 26, 1997: Leave the Pokemon cards at home, says area school May 6, 1998: Read More …
Publicity of police sketch more important than accuracy
Are we really helping police solve a crime when we publish a crude drawing of the face of a violent crime suspect as described by a distraught victim or momentary witness? Turns out, maybe so, but not for the reason you would think. For, it’s not that the rough drawing you often see in the Read More …
A reminder that best impulses show in all generations
It seems to be a routine function of the generations to disparage the young. I don’t share this inclination, or at least I try to resist it. One reason? Show choir. Not just show choir. Soccer, too. And speech contest and cross-country, These are the agents of my personal observations of youth, the particular gifts Read More …
Review of Nobody’s Fool by Richard Russo
Richard Russo is one of my favorite contemporary writers, mostly for Empire Falls and Bridge of Sighs, though I’ve loved everything of his that I’ve read. So, I suppose it’s a little odd that I’m just getting around to this, one of his earlier books, now. But be that as it may, I’m sure Nobody’s Fool would have Read More …
Seeking human stories behind sensational headlines
One of a reporter’s most painful duties is to contact the grieving survivors of victims of crime or disaster. No matter how many times you have made that call, knocked on that door or approached a person at a disaster scene, starting the conversation is always difficult. You don’t want to intrude on someone’s most-private, Read More …
Zakaria, Williams add to rich blend of columnist voices
On the Daily Herald Opinion page, we aim to present a wide range of political and social thought. We believe our democracy and our communities are stronger when citizens see their own points of view reflected — and challenged — by articulate, knowledgeable writers of all stripes. Sometimes, too, routines just need to be shaken Read More …