Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
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US Election Analysis: The Only Number That Matters
There’s a lot of noise after an election—we’ll call it hot air. Because despite what political pundits might tell you,
My Picks for Trump’s Cabinet and Staff
Given my complete lack of political experience, I’m perfectly suited to chime in regarding President Trump’s cabinet and staff. As
Wherever Life Takes You, Dive In
It’s November 12, 2024, and I’m not in the mood for the wherever life takes you nonsense. When your team
Country Roads, Germany, and Me
As they say, the middle of nowhere is in fact somewhere—most people just don’t know where. And by they, I
What Would Susan B. Anthony Say Now?
On November 8, 2016, I vandalized a gravesite. The act was, of course, perfectly legal, a state-sanctioned salute to Susan
Trumpism: An Acronym
You’ve been raised to think in twos—conservatism and progressivism. Now go ahead and throw that out the window. To understand
The 10 Best Songs by the Black Keys
Of all the topics out there, how in the world does one land on the best songs by the Black
5 Super Easy Recipes I Need To Share
With my wife on the injured reserve list, I’ve learned a few things about myself. Perhaps the most striking discovery
Factfulness: How Politics Makes You Dumber
In Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think, Hans Rosling insisted that
I Am the Chickenpox of Fathers
There was a time, way back, when catching the virus that causes chickenpox was a childhood right of passage. Case
Why Lebron James Chose Syracuse
Lebron James, by text, is a very candid man. The following thread has been abridged for the sake of brevity.*
What Parenting Taught Me About the Rust Belt
I’m no parenting guru. In fact, about a decade from now, I’ll find out how I f****d it up royally.
I Hate You IKEA—but Thank You
Nostalgia, they say, comes with rose-colored glasses. But in the case of IKEA, it can also come with nausea—and not
How The Odyssey Saved Rochester, NY
You know The Odyssey—that Christopher Nolan film with Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway. And you know Rochester, NY—that rusty town
Why Spain Is Actually Playing Italy
Don’t fall for the hype about Spain playing Argentina. (Or, if you’re reading this after July 19, 2026, I hope
Confessions of a Rust Belt Addict
The Rust Belt addict, mercifully, is not always found with a needle in his arm. The addicted, I’ve learned, get
How Being a Writer Ruined the World Cup
Being a writer, as you must know by now, is a dream. By that, I mean it’s a nightmare, something
Thank You, European, for Being So Damn Smart
Dear European, I know you’re smarter than me. How do I know? Because you tell me. Anyway, I’ve come across
These World Cup Population Numbers Will Blow Your Mind
World Cup population numbers are for the worldly—and the weirdly obsessive. Without formally committing to either category, I’ve created this
I’m Officially an Idiot
On June 26, 2026, it became official—I’m an idiot. I’d like to thank my fellow human beings—without you, I would