Author: Gnerphk

I am The Gnerphk, writer extraordinaire, opinionated, radical, and extremely humble by nature.

We’re Tired Of It

It’s been a long couple of years now, and let’s face it: we’ve got a right to feel worn out.  It’s been exhausting, a roller-coaster ride of war and politics and ambition and guile.  We’ve been lied to, cheated, insulted, and abused, and if you’re anything at all like me, you’re pretty sick of it.

The thing is, we’re tired of it — tired of all of it.  We’re tired of sound bytes and memes masquerading as facts, of a long recession masquerading as an economic recovery, of politics masquerading as government.

Eight years (more…)

Book Recommendations

My name’s John, and I’m a recovering bookseller.  (“Hi, John!”)

Running a used book shop was the most satisfying and fulfilling occupation I’ve ever had, and I’ve done a lot of things in my life.  Computer programming and applications design, process engineering, pizza delivery, construction big and small, hooking up live sewer lines, teaching — if it’s low-pay or high-stress, I’ve probably done it.

The beautiful part about selling books lies in matching the book to the person.  So, if you’re a jaded Manhattanite who drinks to keep your remaining humanity crushed down out of sight while surviving day to day in the naked city, I’ll tell you to read Lawrence Block (more…)

My Healthcare Plan, Dammit

The newest Republican version of healthcare just passed the House and was instantly declared D.O.A. in the Senate.  Which is good; it’s not enough of a fix.  Then again, neither was the A.C.A. (otherwise known as Obamacare).

I’m not going to get into all the whithertos and whyfores right now; you can get that on every news channel.  (Besides, I’ve already written about it a couple of times.  Both are great articles; read them.)  Instead, I’m going to tell you (more…)

Free Speech Ain’t

Okay, this one is bad, folks.

A lot of my readers on the religious side of things may be excited today, but take it from me, people:  This is nothing to celebrate.

In case you missed it, President Donald Trump signed an executive order which relaxes enforcement of the Johnson Amendment, that portion of the tax code (more…)

It Helps If You Read The Words

Look, it’s not complicated.  The headlines are there to catch your eye; the articles are the part that you read to figure out what’s being said.  And that’s not just with me; it’s with everyone — every news source, every pundit, everything.

And with the article written by Bret Stephens on the Op-Ed pages of the Times, you’ve got to read the whole thing.  If you stop halfway, you’ll end up thinking he’s a rabid (more…)

How To Survive The Coming Ice Age

Since climate change is in the news again, it strikes me that now might be a good time to hold forth on the subject for your edification and entertainment.  After all, it worked for whatsisface over at the Times; it should work for me too.  Right?

Spoiler alert:  Unlike certain Russian scientists, I don’t (more…)

Please Hate On Me Like That

The ironies here are deeply layered and beautiful.

But that’s an understatement; it’s worthy of so much more.  It’s like looking into the Grand Canyon of ironies at sunset.  There’s warning signs so irony tourists don’t go wandering around without a map (more…)

Trump’s National Monuments Review

The news about Trump’s presidency is slowing down.  He’s not doing any less than he was, but he’s starting to get less coverage.

In a way, that’s a good thing.  After all, if only national media had given him a bit less free press during the campaign, we might very well have a different president today.  And, while some of my readers are pleased to have this one, I think even they will agree that media outlets all granting one selected candidate free press is no way to pick a president. (more…)

The Power Of One Person

In case you missed it, the March For Science is taking place today.  Thousands have gathered on the National Mall, tens of thousands in other cities across the country and around the world.  Some came to protest the President’s policies, others to demonstrate in favor of science.  Each goal is laudable; protests are a vital portion of the societal dialogue, and positive demonstrations are if anything more valuable because they are so rare.

And yet, I’m not marching. (more…)

Keep Watching Venezuela

World news sources are covering the big day of riots in Venezuela.  Three were reported killed yesterday as protestors marched, demonstrated, rioted violently, and looted shops in what’s being called the “Mother Of All Protests” against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.  Opposition leaders in the nation’s parliament are calling for more days of protests unless Maduro steps down.

Meanwhile, CNN has announced that Serena Williams is pregnant. (more…)