Letters and Opinions

These are opinion pieces that I have had published in a variety of newspapers and magazines. I have been writing letters-to-the-editor since 2006, and have had over 160 published since then. I also play guitar and sing in a musical revue called The Loser's Lounge. With a cast of guest singers, we perform tributes to great songwriters and bands. The show is in its 24th year, and we perform at Joe's Pub - The Public Theater and Lincoln Center in New York City.

Thursday, July 30, 2009



I promised myself that I wouldn't write about Sarah Palin again, but her farewell speech (if only...) as Governor of Alaska proved to be too tempting a topic. amNY printed this letter on July 29, 2009. Here is the complete version.

While now-former Governor Sarah Palin feels ill-used by the media, her recent evocation of the American soldier to send her message is as misguided and damaging as any alleged falsehoods perpetuated against her. In Palin's farewell speech, she ducked behind the flag, chiding those "hell bent on tearing down our nation" as if she and country (sorry, country first) were synonymous. I may not live in her "real America," but I can certainly tell the difference between patriotism and blatant opportunism.



The Daily News published an edited version of this letter on July 23, 2009. I've always wanted to join my love of space exploration and civil rights in one statement.

"If they can put a man on the moon..." is an expression that also celebrates its 40th anniversary along with the moon landing that spawned it. Combined with the civil rights victories of the 1960's, America demonstrated technical and moral achievements that continue to awe and inspire. When the human ability to destroy and humiliate is witnessed in war and oppression, those small steps and giant leaps remind us of our true calling.

Friday, July 17, 2009



amNY published this letter on July 16, 2009.

While I can understand the President's desire to prevent the past from letting the country move forward, the mounting questions concerning secret CIA plans in the aftermath of 9/11 may soon force President Obama to call for a thorough investigation. At issue is not only the alleged concealment of information at that time but also the message that is sent to future administrations should the charges prove to be true.