tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305534962024-03-13T20:05:12.623-07:00Letters and OpinionsThese 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.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-28811846296939636792018-01-13T08:07:00.000-08:002018-01-13T08:09:53.739-08:00Where Trump Gets His Values<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JdCdH0xGDkVyxuU08BAZwl_RfF19KKUVigjZIJUweI9k23mgcGdjOTBzYkohrhMwd23hK_ThDd_wUuFPVOz11p3VMaBJTE5MbssCJU1IQVrth74jopGV_7CdhNQhKRjhp_7KJg/s1600/Daily+News+01+13+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JdCdH0xGDkVyxuU08BAZwl_RfF19KKUVigjZIJUweI9k23mgcGdjOTBzYkohrhMwd23hK_ThDd_wUuFPVOz11p3VMaBJTE5MbssCJU1IQVrth74jopGV_7CdhNQhKRjhp_7KJg/s320/Daily+News+01+13+2018.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>
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The Daily News published my letter on January 13, 2018 concerning President Trump's latest racist comment. During a meeting about immigration issues with several members of Congress, he was reported to have said, "Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" He asked this in reference to immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and some African nations, and he wondered why there were not more immigrants from countries like Norway. </div>
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"To claim that President Trump's reference to some countries as a 'shithole' is not in keeping with American values is sadly mistaken. The voters who placed him in office will agree with the President's assessment of countries in Africa and Haiti, and they will hail his commitment to America first. This is what Trump's America values - wealth, celebrity and prejudice. And Trump will continue to represent those values as long a he is able to pull his nuggets of wisdom from his own hole."</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-23724699093345921152016-02-14T04:53:00.000-08:002016-02-14T04:56:44.704-08:00Stay ClassyI was inspired to play off of some some recent Donald Trump tweets where he throws out an insult but then insists he would not say such a thing. The Daily News published an edited version of my letter on February 8, 2016. Here's the original version:<br />
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"I was going to say that Donald Trump is a narcissistic bigot interested only in seeing his name emblazoned on the White House, but I won't say it. I won't say it. But it's true. I'd like to use foul language and say he's a f-ing, pompous windbag whose cynicism for the intelligence of Americans is only eclipsed by his vanity, but I won't. No, it's true, but I just won't say that. And by not saying that, I have thankfully preserved my understated and statesmanlike demeanor."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwShWKMkZ3hlrmg_uwcNN0Ukf5iTybP3xMQIo285Z_GswHbXTPkXdG3nPuXqFZvi7C7t2jKCx9uXnmMMOGfgpPIwBqAmjl9aJHZ1XNifJiIVlZMROoAVUNSrwtCCHIAF-vaqMeg/s1600/Daily+News+2016+02+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwShWKMkZ3hlrmg_uwcNN0Ukf5iTybP3xMQIo285Z_GswHbXTPkXdG3nPuXqFZvi7C7t2jKCx9uXnmMMOGfgpPIwBqAmjl9aJHZ1XNifJiIVlZMROoAVUNSrwtCCHIAF-vaqMeg/s320/Daily+News+2016+02+08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-21963210244487305112015-08-03T04:14:00.000-07:002015-08-03T04:14:50.678-07:00Fair Fight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A hunter dentist who killed a protected lion in Zimbabwe sparked world-wide condemnation. I took the opportunity to comment and take a jab at the National Rifle Association, and the Daily News printed my letter on August 1, 2015. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-47913299994217887242015-07-05T13:20:00.000-07:002015-07-05T13:23:29.872-07:00Marriage Equality Is Still Common Sense The Next Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vMtazausWMPsG78NpRPyers9sqU6t8UELkX2M2NZoDrsKcNfA99E2LjZCK5jjxNLKvFZ3cdfLs0jBY-YqWCC5JUXUEjh8vVWeJapLgz7dnRlMt6_CufQ_izCRDIuUixjdtuHsQ/s1600/Metro+2015+06+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vMtazausWMPsG78NpRPyers9sqU6t8UELkX2M2NZoDrsKcNfA99E2LjZCK5jjxNLKvFZ3cdfLs0jBY-YqWCC5JUXUEjh8vVWeJapLgz7dnRlMt6_CufQ_izCRDIuUixjdtuHsQ/s320/Metro+2015+06+29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Metro also printed my celebration of the Supreme Court's decision concerning marriage equality on June 29, 2015. Unfortunately, their headline gave away the punchline. Ah well...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-5037091339386709042015-06-28T09:14:00.001-07:002015-06-28T09:16:01.583-07:00Marriage Equality Is Common Sense<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Daily News published my tribute to common sense on June 28, 2015. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmofwqOvgLq0h1z8b3owOfMopy7FLdDLO1q3WA2Vh7UIicWNKrYXWTZLqkyX86EfYPbrsNO3N6BTfBCabviNkIaPhihiEq0NSmI8XaphJDKVtdNYSmrXQbZFF4w2Klf8OzGouEtg/s1600/Daily+News+2015+06+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmofwqOvgLq0h1z8b3owOfMopy7FLdDLO1q3WA2Vh7UIicWNKrYXWTZLqkyX86EfYPbrsNO3N6BTfBCabviNkIaPhihiEq0NSmI8XaphJDKVtdNYSmrXQbZFF4w2Klf8OzGouEtg/s320/Daily+News+2015+06+28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-37954382086383939162014-11-25T02:41:00.000-08:002014-11-25T02:46:01.219-08:00Did The Daily News Steal My Bill Cosby Quip?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7BHz5wqJoSaPJLkLIVP6X1CRa58pWGCVmQOT_3gGZq9p_AGiAD00GqaXpunMpUoGCFD-LdWjPiI3-CB4cp2PEPFy1HXWRs6qxJEwj-PilEQco4jy4R4u3CmoylHIBadVszjoVg/s1600/Daily+News+2014+11+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7BHz5wqJoSaPJLkLIVP6X1CRa58pWGCVmQOT_3gGZq9p_AGiAD00GqaXpunMpUoGCFD-LdWjPiI3-CB4cp2PEPFy1HXWRs6qxJEwj-PilEQco4jy4R4u3CmoylHIBadVszjoVg/s1600/Daily+News+2014+11+23.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a>I think The Daily News appropriated part of a letter-to-the-editor I sent on November 19, 2014 and used it, uncredited, for a headline on its Sunday Opinion page on November 23. It's possible someone else came up with the same idea as I did, but I can hardly be blamed for harboring some suspicions. Here's my letter (really more of a one-liner):</div>
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"I suppose the most generous characterization of the allegations of sexual assault against Bill Cosby is that they are a classic case of he said/she said she said she said she said she said she said she said she said she said she said she said she said she said she said she said." </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-44772912525780057782014-05-12T03:57:00.000-07:002014-05-12T03:59:32.562-07:00The Thing To Fear: Beer Itself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoHWLm1azDs6eskNMNvtvY2DBGYIlhj3GJDaQTqZ3YbiIM7Htb3sgwBKBWlwJ8YwG_Z0MbyNyUNkg87UmQ3seR4kSZkC7ZWMR8vxA45eaqxDEs1GiNBOvctqUaFPMU2-AevofiQ/s1600/Daily+News+2014+05+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoHWLm1azDs6eskNMNvtvY2DBGYIlhj3GJDaQTqZ3YbiIM7Htb3sgwBKBWlwJ8YwG_Z0MbyNyUNkg87UmQ3seR4kSZkC7ZWMR8vxA45eaqxDEs1GiNBOvctqUaFPMU2-AevofiQ/s1600/Daily+News+2014+05+05.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnZxYEVk8CyT7vCG6xTNNMkYSY7mlmUyC-LVLJVXbr9VXkfbT_uoVrtcm69rfmq6-mY_NPi9jdGA6nHM0zTENsoFGVK7jga4g-KUshenSLXKDDdtY68JJNhogbbmJD3b5Q8U0Fw/s1600/amNY+2014+05+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnZxYEVk8CyT7vCG6xTNNMkYSY7mlmUyC-LVLJVXbr9VXkfbT_uoVrtcm69rfmq6-mY_NPi9jdGA6nHM0zTENsoFGVK7jga4g-KUshenSLXKDDdtY68JJNhogbbmJD3b5Q8U0Fw/s1600/amNY+2014+05+08.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></div>
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This letter came to me while riding the subway, and the Daily News printed it on May 5, 2014. amNY also printed the letter on May 8, but for some reason edited out the last six words. I think the DN came up with a pretty clever title.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-3919505232632670132014-05-11T17:31:00.000-07:002014-05-11T17:33:28.497-07:00Bridge Over Troubled Christie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l1UhTwaIXmhoIFjTu4O6bbzOOlNyybZtzkfL8kCOt36fuGch_sFE5s3zcqFGp_toUtvD58mrl_4QDX42ERgYNgzi1Was8J3RyY8rn7vdhyjv51Hj5YJYh9PZwpt8v1SaqqNDKA/s1600/Daily+News+2014+03+29+DT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l1UhTwaIXmhoIFjTu4O6bbzOOlNyybZtzkfL8kCOt36fuGch_sFE5s3zcqFGp_toUtvD58mrl_4QDX42ERgYNgzi1Was8J3RyY8rn7vdhyjv51Hj5YJYh9PZwpt8v1SaqqNDKA/s1600/Daily+News+2014+03+29+DT.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was able to combine my opinion writing and musical abilities in this letter, published by the Daily News on March 29, 2014.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-11943417641455170022014-05-11T17:10:00.002-07:002014-05-11T17:10:37.610-07:00Profiling Shawn Carter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMi2FofYkrAy_Re7ddZqcFp05FahpFp1Y5352ro_vhRxoxEgZhdhNcts-JN8vVUrBEll-IbPC7yn7lGnyphm90WWAUDxqwFyDIf2O6VoFJmx7hGdnolP6TJnfmZyLLtP7RL9inag/s1600/Daily+News+2013+11+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMi2FofYkrAy_Re7ddZqcFp05FahpFp1Y5352ro_vhRxoxEgZhdhNcts-JN8vVUrBEll-IbPC7yn7lGnyphm90WWAUDxqwFyDIf2O6VoFJmx7hGdnolP6TJnfmZyLLtP7RL9inag/s1600/Daily+News+2013+11+01.jpg" height="235" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Daily News printed this letter on November 11, 2013.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-76126481989660254332014-05-11T17:09:00.000-07:002014-05-11T17:09:03.428-07:00An All-American Candidate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Nf30W3Z1TfGqumGA3DKH4jyDjlwssM1gnFUX67aBKnwfGLb0lSCXZJy__0D4EOOmRYC_WNwlL8_nb01hw06VWzrslASHP8Gr_2QvynsyPBnZf7Fchv3hlT4ItOoJCwwBn_oGg/s1600/Daily+News+2013+04+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Nf30W3Z1TfGqumGA3DKH4jyDjlwssM1gnFUX67aBKnwfGLb0lSCXZJy__0D4EOOmRYC_WNwlL8_nb01hw06VWzrslASHP8Gr_2QvynsyPBnZf7Fchv3hlT4ItOoJCwwBn_oGg/s1600/Daily+News+2013+04+15.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Daily News published this letter on April 15, 2013. It's under the title "Second chances."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-62585973252706638712014-05-11T16:29:00.002-07:002014-05-11T16:29:50.488-07:00Let's See The Birth Certificate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul5tL3XnIwaFHTaC-AZLROKFcLqvfM_FS0TAW_5qX0L2HaUJFMVibShlqqEl3sNnp9RMyoFl4U3Z9Xd6hOwTLFTcieKi4Bc-NehmRedyPlAqSbWzQEjTqxBdlc41Tz-kvyiVs7Q/s1600/Metro+2012+08+31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul5tL3XnIwaFHTaC-AZLROKFcLqvfM_FS0TAW_5qX0L2HaUJFMVibShlqqEl3sNnp9RMyoFl4U3Z9Xd6hOwTLFTcieKi4Bc-NehmRedyPlAqSbWzQEjTqxBdlc41Tz-kvyiVs7Q/s1600/Metro+2012+08+31.jpg" height="320" width="273" /></a></div>
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Metro printed this letter on September 3, 2012.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-73570039484099654282014-05-11T16:26:00.000-07:002014-05-11T16:30:04.035-07:00Rationalizing A Massacre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUxpym0hyphenhyphenWW_A6h7HUu9qu_kfOxxWHa7YHzosmeKGc0z3O_31Zs-cb-pztIGwEkcM4mGnA1GpSfsPvDatXN55ZKE9uzIVT-ZbMOCiOcd08HmaWWFtjT5Di-hnz4xXO0sPoQ3QYQ/s1600/Metro+2012+07+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUxpym0hyphenhyphenWW_A6h7HUu9qu_kfOxxWHa7YHzosmeKGc0z3O_31Zs-cb-pztIGwEkcM4mGnA1GpSfsPvDatXN55ZKE9uzIVT-ZbMOCiOcd08HmaWWFtjT5Di-hnz4xXO0sPoQ3QYQ/s1600/Metro+2012+07+24.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></div>
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Metro published this letter on July 24, 2012.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-80035758374373389802012-09-01T17:05:00.002-07:002012-09-01T17:05:54.911-07:00Anderson Cooper Is Gay. Big Deal.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQoBAXm8PSssGRlYoQmiz9z_hd-tm_0YK9icWgI3AdNLr2c9USN2KiIRvDhEC5UmatjF8cWg3iUcVWYecp1gvmHwh77beYGl55NFKzSsQ6RCTiP7Ya1oekUqAjD9aVW-GoN3WrQ/s1600/Daily+News+2012+07+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQoBAXm8PSssGRlYoQmiz9z_hd-tm_0YK9icWgI3AdNLr2c9USN2KiIRvDhEC5UmatjF8cWg3iUcVWYecp1gvmHwh77beYGl55NFKzSsQ6RCTiP7Ya1oekUqAjD9aVW-GoN3WrQ/s320/Daily+News+2012+07+05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On July 5 and 6, 2012 (respectively) the Daily News and Metro published my reaction Anderson Cooper's announcement that he is gay. Metro printed an unedited version of the letter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOCF2c9htdC5o_3YMkeCcUyJIuAWyGUNpAiOYEGZbt8mNWfyn-N7Gg-OJjYDC2waJE7Rq_OynjWlpfSnSq1qMbHWalvQMUvxm7Y9t2h_VCEw3EJ9bXjzHHz1u2aVMEX7FTcEmPQ/s1600/Metro+2012+07+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOCF2c9htdC5o_3YMkeCcUyJIuAWyGUNpAiOYEGZbt8mNWfyn-N7Gg-OJjYDC2waJE7Rq_OynjWlpfSnSq1qMbHWalvQMUvxm7Y9t2h_VCEw3EJ9bXjzHHz1u2aVMEX7FTcEmPQ/s320/Metro+2012+07+06.jpg" width="292" /></a><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-49320506414012745032012-09-01T16:53:00.002-07:002012-09-01T16:53:42.242-07:00Trayvon Martin, American Tragedy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BRyXZjX9XUsnnmHD9ru-fkFl2OPYZyfk6eVQgyTWk_zmNonhdopdFb7eJDVKPuIj0ZkdmUh3naU3-LquVqChWFEEpH2ol5mviq233ijARchXTV8yvYMCoRSC9mdfWr2EfYEiPg/s1600/Metro+2012+04+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BRyXZjX9XUsnnmHD9ru-fkFl2OPYZyfk6eVQgyTWk_zmNonhdopdFb7eJDVKPuIj0ZkdmUh3naU3-LquVqChWFEEpH2ol5mviq233ijARchXTV8yvYMCoRSC9mdfWr2EfYEiPg/s320/Metro+2012+04+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Metro published this letter with my reaction the the Trayvon Martin tragedy on April 13, 2012.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-30714964671450743602012-08-04T11:40:00.001-07:002012-08-04T11:40:11.439-07:00Human Wi-Fi Hot Spots<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fZ4VkfhvQLpDKJVm3BNsARscEbknHG01EKVDYXIdFVFpwmUJiHXj2-P3XmZc2gmYOiNlhbBlouLeQZxzqyXf58XgoRxa1L7kJ3OGBlnxWYiyXXIypvEaqFCmm7-WbPtRKn4wSw/s1600/Daily+News+2012+03+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<img border="0" eda="true" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fZ4VkfhvQLpDKJVm3BNsARscEbknHG01EKVDYXIdFVFpwmUJiHXj2-P3XmZc2gmYOiNlhbBlouLeQZxzqyXf58XgoRxa1L7kJ3OGBlnxWYiyXXIypvEaqFCmm7-WbPtRKn4wSw/s320/Daily+News+2012+03+13.jpg" width="320" /></div>
</a>The Daily News printed this letter concerning human wi-fi hot spots on March 16, 2012.<br />
*****</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-28486463136898860122012-08-04T11:34:00.000-07:002012-08-04T11:35:50.906-07:00JFK Made Me Want To Puke<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEIM-8mI1sTHxVqUs_C8PFDSG1WCgBKrYPneQgK9p-C-gWnLjA0wfQVaATuP6PG9oYoqrOA4L-gMvffP9TYMrmocVeQd-6VPbWJT98OGUvRIJxLCvx82Oa1joXalPmehks-eAxQ/s1600/Metro+2012+02+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEIM-8mI1sTHxVqUs_C8PFDSG1WCgBKrYPneQgK9p-C-gWnLjA0wfQVaATuP6PG9oYoqrOA4L-gMvffP9TYMrmocVeQd-6VPbWJT98OGUvRIJxLCvx82Oa1joXalPmehks-eAxQ/s320/Metro+2012+02+29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Metro published my concerns about Rick Santorum's digestive system on February 29, 2012.</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-41444372480856368052012-08-04T11:30:00.000-07:002012-08-04T11:30:35.284-07:00<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWPFyIAws0tQHM7FRf2Uw4OPbgPrIsGQs-hN2Vj_82fc68Wm11NqEME5561wkMhyJWAxXxP4ZogE57-BuWE5XOKys0c0oPdKOSJEZDDyZC7YcE_ATXuqOeMClM1iYufDNTzlTMA/s1600/abstinence.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711002217758874466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWPFyIAws0tQHM7FRf2Uw4OPbgPrIsGQs-hN2Vj_82fc68Wm11NqEME5561wkMhyJWAxXxP4ZogE57-BuWE5XOKys0c0oPdKOSJEZDDyZC7YcE_ATXuqOeMClM1iYufDNTzlTMA/s320/abstinence.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 258px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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I wrote this op-ed in response to comments made by NH State Rep. Lynne Blankenbeker concerning abstinence and marriage during a legislative committee hearing on birth control. It was posted on gbmnews.com on February 18, 2012.</div>
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Opposition to marriage equality often includes the accusation that supporters want to "redefine" marriage by allowing gay couples to wed. Recently, New Hampshire State Rep. Lynne Blankenbeker (R-Concord) unveiled her own revised definition of marriage by encouraging couples to refrain froim sexual intercourse. Abstinence is, according to Rep. Blankenbeker, a sure-fire and cheap method of birth control.</div>
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Now let me get this straight. I get married to someone to whom I am intellectually and sexually attracted. We're not ready to have kids yet, so our best course of action is NOT TO HAVE SEX.</div>
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Rep. Blankenbeker, why did I get married in the first place?</div>
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The Republican State Representative did offer another alternative - condoms. Of course, condoms are not 100% effective, so if my wife and I want to ensure we avoid an unwanted pregnancy, our only course of action is, again, NOT TO HAVE SEX.</div>
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Now that's a redefinition of marriage if I ever heard one.</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-35578308414206548212012-02-23T03:55:00.000-08:002012-02-23T04:13:32.247-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPW8uSNdxC8KvaWtO2hU-itEZ_9Z_ReO5MSSqpUEO8HnRQoJDOn_539okMxkigRmdnPTTvp3qMFxHIiZtWlwra_SktQgV6WE1HMKZtY-QREst9oTsFdoOBFkfTiU8MN4TuNeruuA/s1600/Metro+2012+02+23.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712298763570374434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPW8uSNdxC8KvaWtO2hU-itEZ_9Z_ReO5MSSqpUEO8HnRQoJDOn_539okMxkigRmdnPTTvp3qMFxHIiZtWlwra_SktQgV6WE1HMKZtY-QREst9oTsFdoOBFkfTiU8MN4TuNeruuA/s320/Metro+2012+02+23.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Metro published my letter concerning Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum's environmental theology as part of a trio of letters questioning his recent baffling statements. The date: February 23, 2012. The planet: Earth...</div><br /><br /><div>*****<br />Rick Santorum accused President Obama of holding a "phony theology" that places the environment over humans. Somehow, it is insincere to the point of pretension to believe that our planet needs to be protected. Santorum may not intend to pillage the Earth of its bounty, but I am dismayed that he chooses to characterize the beliefs of those who do care about the planet and the possible negative effects human activity has upon it as phony.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-37674051459610933052012-02-19T14:41:00.000-08:002012-02-19T15:00:52.335-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1ypvYHiwFZSK5ybGXsWB0zWq2ZP48w0KOh9WjvpXeStT19uYAeCSW1xBNYu3dpnkm4L4CxOHfeuWguSWfX1bPQI6Xjww63ZM7SLt8-Au14rImoVfHy_TbGu7HizbnEUpjVlArA/s1600/Metro+2012+02+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 275px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710980665759430242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1ypvYHiwFZSK5ybGXsWB0zWq2ZP48w0KOh9WjvpXeStT19uYAeCSW1xBNYu3dpnkm4L4CxOHfeuWguSWfX1bPQI6Xjww63ZM7SLt8-Au14rImoVfHy_TbGu7HizbnEUpjVlArA/s320/Metro+2012+02+10.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I wrote this letter in response to a statement made by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney regarding the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that California's Proposition 8 prohibiting gay marriage was a violation of the 14<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Amendment. Mr. Romney said "Today, unelected judges cast aside the will of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">people</span> of California." The article appeared in the Daily News, but I generalized the topic and Metro published my letter on February 10, 2012. I include here both the version printed in Metro (which I shortened to fit that paper's average size letter) and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">original</span> submitted to (but not published by) the Daily News.</div><div>*****</div><div>The reason some decry the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to overturn California's ban on gay marriage is the very reason to applaud the decision. The court reversed a voter referendum on same-sex marriage, and in doing so circumvented "the will of the people," according to some. However, I'm thankful that the court recognized that marriage equality is not a matter of personal opinion but is in fact a moral imperative.</div><div>*****</div><div>The reason Mitt Romney decries the U.S. Court of Appeals ruling to overturn California's ban on gay marriage is the very reason to applaud the decision. Romney criticizes a court that "casts aside the will of the people" who voted against same-sex marriage. I can only be thankful that we have a judicial system that can ignore this "will" when issues of equality and justice are considered. In this case, the court recognized that marriage equality is not a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">matter</span> of personal opinion but is in fact a moral imperative.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-56115886334130552492012-02-08T03:44:00.000-08:002012-02-10T02:40:37.088-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UNrwjDlYjob9tMWWefgN1xxWGh5Jc40Kaij6QC2ZYCEP1ZghBQkOq84lKHkBSZdZqYiTT7AIpLmwIZD6WuFV3TIMlBB6OvJQNsv5IkrUS_QC4QPzzlvcK-QQ7nhFgFZM6UT78w/s1600/Daily+News+2012+02+05.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706729600396098898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UNrwjDlYjob9tMWWefgN1xxWGh5Jc40Kaij6QC2ZYCEP1ZghBQkOq84lKHkBSZdZqYiTT7AIpLmwIZD6WuFV3TIMlBB6OvJQNsv5IkrUS_QC4QPzzlvcK-QQ7nhFgFZM6UT78w/s320/Daily+News+2012+02+05.jpg" /></a><br />God forgives Church Lady who stole a million dollars. How could I not write a letter about that? How could the Daily News not publish it on February 5, 2012?<br />*****<br />I'm not surprised that Anita "The Church Lady" Collins is "at peace with God" following the discovery of her theft of over $1 million from the Archdiocese of New York. At this point, her relationship with her God is the only thing left she can manipulate.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-29626657522701444342012-02-08T03:36:00.000-08:002012-02-10T02:30:39.582-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDD4MPaN5-YGb7RT0jKkEvDppDtQ22E5V-zODoIDk2joCxMcRpe8X6YbkmkqSiuVlEKwux0bbIwiMQh8N4f8NlIWQkRGj7uYYgLLD9Gr9fjKuKQMx2Vnq8WmYMeDw2vHd8mIXGA/s1600/Metro+2012+02+03.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706727563872695106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDD4MPaN5-YGb7RT0jKkEvDppDtQ22E5V-zODoIDk2joCxMcRpe8X6YbkmkqSiuVlEKwux0bbIwiMQh8N4f8NlIWQkRGj7uYYgLLD9Gr9fjKuKQMx2Vnq8WmYMeDw2vHd8mIXGA/s320/Metro+2012+02+03.jpg" /></a><br />Much has been made of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's statement that he is not "concerned about the very poor," but I saw something else in his quote. Metro published my observation on February 3, 2012.<br /><br /><div>*****</div><br /><div>While folks are upset that Mitt Romney stated he isn't "concerned about the very poor." I'm surprised there isn't more of an uproar that he isn't "concerned about the very rich" either. After all, his super PAC has raised almost $18 million from only 181 donors. I just hope Romney's plans to reduce or eliminate the corporate tax and capital gains rates will help smooth things over.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-68981703272006926812012-01-23T19:02:00.000-08:002012-01-23T19:29:24.535-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PFjfjcQhOVi-FAQEH0ebWPwqFfXuC4T9ZxLzfvox0CJLJU2liVIAN1S5hoI8gHuTVVZF5Zs6Y_imbwWwoqibgVdTpKe1RNEhLMJ6b4kx2Xfcpjxo4n-jfI1ERmIyXrtuGi8Wfg/s1600/Metro+2012+01+23.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701028807480158178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PFjfjcQhOVi-FAQEH0ebWPwqFfXuC4T9ZxLzfvox0CJLJU2liVIAN1S5hoI8gHuTVVZF5Zs6Y_imbwWwoqibgVdTpKe1RNEhLMJ6b4kx2Xfcpjxo4n-jfI1ERmIyXrtuGi8Wfg/s320/Metro+2012+01+23.jpg" /></a><br />"Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich in 1999 asked his second wife for an 'open marriage' or a divorce at the same time he was giving speeches around the country on family and religious values, his former wife, Marianne, said Thursday."<br /><br />I took Newt's advice, and Metro published the result on January 23, 2012.<br />*****<br />Inspired by Newt Gingrich, I asked my wife to consider an open marriage, explaining that the arrangement is consistent with the family values embodied by eminent politicians. And as soon as I get out of the hospital, I'll be sure to express my gratitude to him.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-75468076923535260412012-01-22T12:29:00.000-08:002012-01-22T14:21:50.766-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOLadGCXQlwmRWqa8Svm7FIAUyCKVKCfaVuvL-yr_dd8AARMDcKZlN7NN-GPjj-BPTQoKCTS-QhLDeC4Y0dZw-q7xXTm-IV0U6CV8aUcAR5i5KX0HVM4H0bbGgi_pG_at8_9u1Q/s1600/Daily+News+2012+01+21.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700557233121647394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOLadGCXQlwmRWqa8Svm7FIAUyCKVKCfaVuvL-yr_dd8AARMDcKZlN7NN-GPjj-BPTQoKCTS-QhLDeC4Y0dZw-q7xXTm-IV0U6CV8aUcAR5i5KX0HVM4H0bbGgi_pG_at8_9u1Q/s320/Daily+News+2012+01+21.jpg" /></a><br />"<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Beyonce</span> Knowles is taking heat for a new pale-skinned photo promoting her last album. The superstar singer was also airbrushed lighter in a 2008 ad. Some believe any amount of whitewashing sends a damaging message - and the star should know better by now." The Daily News printed my response on January 21, 2012.<br />*****<br />Whether or not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Beyonce</span> intentionally allowed her skin to be lightened for some photo shoots, the debate alone over the possibility <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">demonstrates</span> the power we unfortunately invest in skin color. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Beyonce</span> should have the freedom to adapt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">her</span> appearance as she sees fit, even if it may play into a damaging stereotype. It will always be within her power to make other statements with her appearance if she so chooses.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-64993964176443300562012-01-22T12:26:00.000-08:002012-01-22T13:32:33.643-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVThvBArWgiXWAXbzZAG6XfE9J8v3CMIxAeokdRedhiuYxPWQ903mnrpc7gUu6emxK8wDLDIl3hF965b5CLnVd2iE3SYw9ybWOkK1OvUXl27ywMAVGuGPwG_NMgtOUq6zwgbRgpA/s1600/Metro+2011+11+21.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700555602403368434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVThvBArWgiXWAXbzZAG6XfE9J8v3CMIxAeokdRedhiuYxPWQ903mnrpc7gUu6emxK8wDLDIl3hF965b5CLnVd2iE3SYw9ybWOkK1OvUXl27ywMAVGuGPwG_NMgtOUq6zwgbRgpA/s320/Metro+2011+11+21.jpg" /></a><br />"NYPD cops in riot gear seized control of Zuccotti Park after an officer's hand was badly gashed by a protester, setting off a ruckus inside the Occupy Wall Street outpost. The rookie cop was slashed with a star-shaped piece of glass taken from a protester's Captain America costume."<br /><br />Metro published my bemused response on November 21, 2011.<br />*****<br />It is disappointing that the most publicized conflict during the recent escalated Wall Street protests has been with police officers and not with the greed-obsessed financial powers that inspired Occupy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30553496.post-8389421438792394252012-01-22T11:23:00.000-08:002012-01-22T11:39:29.782-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHivzHLcqW6TDfsxbpQyI6HKEmaG0Ki2eZLPLoHPakgHrKKM7lTrFn6KA_vmbWbMup9rzh7RX82EiqROcnW-6yqDO8kL8Wp3o5WTXqGH8Z0HmUn8579VskYv9Hs3EJLW9n0io8Pg/s1600/Metro+2011+11+15.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700539425794520914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHivzHLcqW6TDfsxbpQyI6HKEmaG0Ki2eZLPLoHPakgHrKKM7lTrFn6KA_vmbWbMup9rzh7RX82EiqROcnW-6yqDO8kL8Wp3o5WTXqGH8Z0HmUn8579VskYv9Hs3EJLW9n0io8Pg/s320/Metro+2011+11+15.jpg" /></a><br />Metro published my first public comment concerning the current presidential election season on November 15, 2011. Unfortunately, enthusiasm was not one of the emotions I felt while writing this.<br />*****<br />The 2012 presidential election seems to be shaping up to a contest between an incumbent who has disappointed many of his supporters and a challenger who is viewed favorably only when compared to his competitors.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288681058434600000noreply@blogger.com0