No Such Thing As Ghosts (Part 2)

Note:  This is the second installment of a ghost story.  It’s not meant to be read by itself.  If you’d care to start at the beginning, click here.

“Whose dumb idea was this, anyway?”

Jake sighed, trying to tune out the voice from the back seat, but without any luck. He’d had a thing for Clarice for over a year now, ever since Comp Two, and she was half the reason he took this folklore class to begin with. Tall, slender, pretty, blonde, and he was beginning to realize she had a whine that could etch glass. Which she used far too much; right now she was going on about all the other things she could be doing instead of taking a long ride to nowhere.

When they’d left campus an hour ago, he’d thought – hoped – she’d sit next to (more…)

No Such Thing As Ghosts (Part 1)

Note:  There really is such a place as Myra, Maine, out off the Stud Mill Road.  I’m told it’s more or less where I put it, but I can’t swear to that, because every time I drive out there I go right on by.  On Google Maps there’s a few small buildings hidden by the trees, and I know of one staunch fellow that’s building a small farm out there.  Ghost hunters do visit the Jackson Cemetery, reputed to be one of the most haunted in the state, but there’s no gate nor even a fence.  It’s on private property, so if you feel the urge to visit do be courteous — and very careful.

He hummed quietly to himself as he adjusted the last of the videocameras. They were VHS; the now-antique analog recorders were absolutely (more…)

Help Fight Stupidity!

Make no mistake, ladies and gentlemen:  This is war, and we need you.

I have read your learned articles on the healthcare debate.  I have reviewed your proposals on climate change and environmental protection.  For the many (the most of us) who haven’t written or even linked any of those, I’ve read your angry memes and mocking anti-Trump and anti-Republican posts.  I have seen these things, my friends, and in listening, the source of your anger has become apparent, as has the problem’s only solution.

The trouble is, you’re sick of corrupt morons in charge of things, and you’re tired of being treated like an idiot yourself by everyone running for office.  Tell me I’m wrong; I dare you. (more…)

Bristol Bay: It’s Time To Act

(Note: This article is from 2017 and has not been updated.)

Today and tomorrow, if you happen to be in Alaska (and nearby), you can go to a public meeting about an EPA rules change.  If you’re not one of the lucky few, you can still weigh in by email by clicking here.  And you want to weigh in, even if you don’t know it yet.  So do all your friends, so Share this post.

This hasn’t gotten a lot of airtime (more…)

Why I’m Optimistic About The Way Things Are Going

You all know me by now, so it shouldn’t surprise you that I regularly post feedback at the White House site.  (I figure, the form’s there for a reason, and I’m pretty well-spoken, so what the heck, right?)

Because every now and then, this administration does something right.  Maybe it’s deliberate, maybe accidental; maybe it’s someone inside working against the system — who knows?  Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.  (Old saying but still true.  It may be flashing, but at 12:00 it’s right.)  Anyway — I think it’s vitally important that, when they get things right, it should be acknowledged. (more…)

How To Fix The World

The NFL is being boycotted in retaliation for some players kneeling in protest during the national anthem.  The protests began as against police brutality, particularly against members of minorities.

There was another mass shooting, this time against a crowded open-air concert.  Thoughts and prayers are being sent, and they’re being ridiculed by people demanding gun control — never mind that no practicable gun laws would have prevented this latest atrocity.

Marches and protests and riots.  Tearing down statues.  Congressional stalemate matches.  Hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes.  Bad economy, lousy job, sick parents and sick kids, student loans we can never pay back and an underwater mortgage.

Not just the country but the whole world is in rough shape, my friends, and small wonder there are protests.  But I put it to you that there are better ways (more…)

This Is Getting Ridiculous

When I look back over the majority of my articles written since January, I find a single recurring phrase:  “Look, I don’t like Trump either, but…”

And I’ll tell ya what:  I’m getting sick of writing it.  I’m coming to the conclusion that the average Democrat on social media is whiny, petty, and incapable of seeing any good at all in the opposition.  Don’t get me wrong, mind; we already knew that about most of the Tea Party.  But I thought there was supposed to be a difference.

Seriously, now — What is it we all, even the Tea Party members among us, detest about the Tea Party?  It seems to attract people incapable of real thought.  I’m all about disputing (more…)

Trump Caves Pointlessly

I’ve argued it before, and I’ll argue it again; I’d shout it from the rooftops if I thought it would help:  We need to do something about the damned Jones Act before we strangle Puerto Rico’s economy for good.

Just… not today. (more…)

Old Grizzly Bear

“An empty cab pulled up in front of Congress this morning, and Mike Michaud got out.” Only ever voted the party line. Man’s an empty suit; trained monkeys could have performed better, and I’m glad he got sent back home to Maine.

“Trained monkeys” might be a bit harsh, come to think of it, but as I recall, there was once a grizzly bear that did perform better as a Congressman… (more…)

Taking A Knee

I was going to write something incisive and insightfully meaningful about the national anthem protests in professional sports. Not that I care about sports, mind, but I figure it’s a popular topic, and my thoughts might go viral for once.

That was yesterday.  Since then, one of my restaurant reviews (which I do for fun) got more hits in two hours than any of my political articles since Refugees and any of my informative articles since Autism And Vaccines.  Which I guess is a good thing, but (more…)