Novel looks at the Rust Belt, composed by an American doctor
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My “Visit” to the Democratic National Convention
It was August 22, 2024, and I was on my way to becoming a part of history. The destination: Chicago,
The City I Love (but Have Never Seen)
There’s something strange about the city I love. It’s not that the town itself is particularly odd, as far as
10 Famous Musicians From Eastern Kentucky
Yes, you read that right. Eastern Kentucky. I first visited the far reaches of the Bluegrass State in 1999, hoping
What the American Hater Needs To Understand
Dear American hater, I’m not here to change your mind. I just need you to start telling the truth.
2024 Olympic Medal Count: An Analysis
When it comes to the 2024 Olympic medal count, we could just look at the numbers and call it a
4 Olympic Sports I Could Play
When I say could play, I mean exactly that. Because when it comes to Olympic sports, most would be a
10 English Words of French Origin You Didn’t Know
When William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, he wreaked havoc on the English language. How else can you explain
France in 10 Numbers
I visited France once—Paris to be exact. It was 1999, and I remember spending a night in a cheap hostel
How To Read the Bible for Beginners
During a recent trip to the Buckle of the Bible Belt (aka Nashville), I realized I knew very little about
Flyover Country, My Ass!
I drove through flyover country the other day. Surprisingly, I saw more than nothing. 1 I started somewhere I
How Being a Nephrologist Jaded Me
Being a nephrologist, I reminded myself, was my choice. It’s just that, as I looked into her eyes, I couldn’t
The 2026 Great Lakes NFL Preview
Who would come to a random blog by a part-time doctor about the Rust Belt for an NFL preview? No
The Other Guy Who Hates Free Trade Agreements
Where others see an apocalypse, I prefer to look for logic. And that which drives Trump 2.0, as chaotic as
My Favorite Song From Rochester (NY)
Some nepo babies get a real estate empire or worldwide fame. Others get a blog post about a favorite song
Indian Man Found Wandering Along Lake America
In a shocking turn of events, on August 30, 2026, authorities in Rochester, New York, reported having seen what looked
When Dolly Parton Held My Hand
Dolly Parton, the legend, was there for everybody. That includes me, the wannabe coastal elite with the superiority complex. It
I’m a Hipster in Dad Shorts
Sometime around 2012, the hipster thing reared its ugly head. Two years earlier, I had moved with the family to
How New York’s Data Center Ban Kills Upstate (Again)
Yeah, yeah—I know it’s not really a data center ban. It’s a moratorium barring state approvals of hyperscale data centers
How New York State Is Digging Its Own Grave
The beauty of New York State, if one sticks around long enough, generally results in anger. In Upstate New York, it’s
Dear Tennessee: Who Are You Anyway?
Dear Tennessee: I know what it’s like to be misunderstood. I am from the Rust Belt, after all. But