According to an old saying, “You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip.” True. But that raises this question: Who would even try squeezing blood from a turnip? Well, metaphorically speaking, if “blood” means profit, and...
Growing up, I absorbed a lot of values from my Ol’ Texas Daddy – a strong commitment to the Common Good, a healthy work ethic, and a lively sense of humor. But one thing about...
In one of their satirical songs, the Austin Lounge Lizards lampooned the ridiculous bigotry of some Christian factions, singing: “Jesus loves me. But he can’t stand you.” That could be the bellicose anthem of a...
Let’s talk Turkey! No, not the Butterballs in Congress. I’m talking about the real thing, the big gobbler – 46 million of which we Americans will devour this Thanksgiving....
Let me be blunt: The problem with today’s Supreme Court is that it consists of too many 5-watt bulbs sitting in 100-watt sockets. While most of the nine members are assumed to be brilliant, “smart”...
For people who live in trailer parks, can anything be scarier than the sound of a roaring tornado? Yes: Most frightening is seeing slick real-estate gentrifiers prowling around. For some 20 million low-income Americans, being...
The far-out right-wing’s latest political ploy takes extremism to the extreme. Escalating their divisive series of “culture wars” (banning books, suppressing women’s rights, whitewashing history, demonizing teachers, etc.) – their current idea is to declare...
Hear it? What’s that sound? “Whoop-whoop-whoop.” Oooo, it’s Washington’s revolving door, allowing corporate interests to come directly inside Congress to pervert public policy. That door is now spinning fast, because there’s a new boss operator...
If you’re trying to enact an extremist right-wing policy, but the public keeps rejecting it – what do you do? You could try blatant deception, giving the same old policy a new coat of paint,...
Which is the “greenest” state in America? You might think California, or maybe Oregon. But go 3,000 miles east, and you’ll come upon the physical beauty and ecological vitality of the Green Mountain State: Vermont....