On July 24, 2010, The Daily News published as their lead letter my thoughts concerning the invented media and government hysteria over comments made by USDA employee Shirley Sherrod. Ms. Sherrod's story of humanity triumphing over racism was misrepresented by a biased blogger and taken for the truth by folks who should have known better.

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The tale of Shirley Sherrod's maliciously edited statements and the overreaction they incited is really the tail of racism being chased by itself. The ease with which this civil rights activist was pilloried exposes the fear and ignorance of those who enabled the intentional fraud. Meanwhile, aw we watch this pathetic race dog snap at its own bait, legitimate claims of discrimination may be left to howl in vain.

I always appreciate the opportunity to have some fun with my letters, and Metro gave me some room to play on July 21, 2010. At stake, the English language in the hands of former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. She called on New Yorkers to "refudiate" a planned mosque near the World Trade Center site.

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I am in total agreeingment with Sarah Palin's right to add to our vocapillary in the spirit of Shakespearisian wordplay. Her creative use of language only underspores the integralty of her message. I look forwardedly to the day when Ms. Palin actually transcends the Immoral Bard and communicakes using only her own invented speech.

I really felt like a lawyer when I wrote this letter. May I tip my hat to all my friends who are lawyers, and the important perspective they've given me. On July 15, 2010, Newsday published my thoughts on the Rev. Jesse Jackson's racially-tinged defense of basketball star Lebron James from disparaging remarks made by his former employer. This is the full letter, which was trimmed slightly in printed form.
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If charges of racial animus by the Rev. Jesse Jackson against Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert are true, then we must be convinced that Mr. Gilbert (who described Lebron James as narcissistic, disloyal and a coward) would have treated a nonblack player in similar circumstances with less vitriol. If Mr. Gilbert is simply an irate employer who vented after Mr. James' disappointing decision to leave his team, then the Rev. Jackson, using inflammatory words like "plantation" and "slave," may himself demean Mr. James by unnecessarily wrapping him in the protective shroud of our lamentable racist past. I would hope other evidence, if any, of Mr. Gilbert's propensity for disparate treatment would be presented along with the allegations. Otherwise, the Rev. Jackson may as well challenge the concept of a team "owner" alone as an unwanted vestige of slave life.

Opinions on Mel Gibson's professional future, in the wake of his recorded profane rants to his ex-girlfriend, were solicited by Dorothy Robinson's column "The Word" in Metro. I thought the topic was worth two sentences. Ms. Robinson sent me back a nice note, and I thank her for including my two cents on July 14, 2010.

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Mel Gibson's violent outbursts against his ex-girlfriend should earn him an Oscar for Best Thug. However, fame has a way of smoothing rough edges, and Gibson may only be one movie and a tearful interview with Oprah away from redemption.