Columns

We are delicate. So shut up!

We are delicate. So shut up!

Everywhere we turn these days somebody is trying to shut up or shut down somebody else. Because they don’t like what that somebody else says or writes. Lately reporters at the New York Times revolted. Because the op-ed page ran an article they did not like. By a US...

Let’s hope you are brimming with answers today

Let’s hope you are brimming with answers today

The mess in Minneapolis and the riots that followed beg many questions. Did the riots, looting, setting buildings on fire, beatings and murder of innocents have anything to do with the tragic death of George Floyd? Or were they simply thugs taking advantage of the...

At least we know what we don’t know. Or do we?

At least we know what we don’t know. Or do we?

Tis early days, but what have we learned from the virus crisis? One thing is that we don’t know what we don’t know. And we are often not certain about what we think we do know. For instance, we don’t know whether we should tell people to stay home, inside. Or should...

We lead the world in decrepit buildings

We lead the world in decrepit buildings

Many visiting Europeans are stunned by the huge number of derelict and otherwise empty buildings we have. They ain’t seen nuthin’ yet. Most of our cities show signs of manufacturing blight. Especially northern and rust-belt cities. In this state, a city does not...

Would you like a cuppa meek tea with that?

Would you like a cuppa meek tea with that?

Once we get this virus crisis behind us we maybe ought to stage a national competition. For the best recipe for humble pie. Here is why I suggest this: Suppose you plaster your walls with news stories of the virus since January. You will have many hundreds of them....

How could this happen?

How could this happen?

Years ago one of my kids’ teachers joined the FBI. I remember how the students, their parents and her fellow teachers talked about this. There was reverence, deep respect. For her as well as the agency. After all, the FBI was the crème de la crème of law enforcement....