Category Archives: Essays

Treaty Justice by Charles Wilkinson

Thanks to Ed M. From Post Alley by David Brewster Fifty years ago, federal Judge George Boldt issued his landmark decision on tribal fishing rights. An admirable new book, Treaty Justice, by law professor and tribal advocate Charles Wilkinson, has just … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Essays, History, Law, Social justice | Comments Off on Treaty Justice by Charles Wilkinson

Today’s Teenagers Have Invented a Language That Captures the World Perfectly

By Stephen Marche in the NYT. (Thanks to Put B.) Mr. Marche is the author, most recently, of “The Next Civil War.” My son just completed high school and when he leaves for college in the fall my life will change … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, language | Comments Off on Today’s Teenagers Have Invented a Language That Captures the World Perfectly

Father’s Day Essay by Heather Cox Richardson

Thanks to Pam P.

Posted in Essays, History | Comments Off on Father’s Day Essay by Heather Cox Richardson

What Have We Liberals Done to the West Coast?

By Nicholas Kristof Opinion Columnist, reporting from Portland, Ore. for the NYT As Democrats make their case to voters around the country this fall, one challenge is that some of the bluest parts of the country — cities on the West … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Essays, Government, Homeless, Housing, Politics, Poverty, Social justice | Comments Off on What Have We Liberals Done to the West Coast?

The Woman Who Could Smell Parkinson’s

She first noticed the scent on her husband. Now her abilities are helping unlock new research in early disease detection. By Scott Sayare in the NYT: Scott Sayare is a writer in New York. He interviewed doctors, researchers, caregivers and patients … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Health | Comments Off on The Woman Who Could Smell Parkinson’s

Heather Cox Richardson – Contrasting facts to Trump lies

Posted in Economics, Essays, Government, Justice, Politics | Comments Off on Heather Cox Richardson – Contrasting facts to Trump lies

How to Stay Sane in Brutalizing Times

Thanks to Marilyn W. By David Brooks We’re living in a brutalizing time: Scenes of mass savagery pervade the media. Americans have become vicious toward one another amid our disagreements. Everywhere I go, people are coping with an avalanche of negative … Continue reading

Posted in Essays | Comments Off on How to Stay Sane in Brutalizing Times

“The In-Between: Unforgettable Moments During Life’s Final Moments” by Hadley Valhos

In the NYT’s Magazine (Thanks to Tim and Tony) A decade ago, Hadley Vlahos was lost. She was a young single mother, searching for meaning and struggling to make ends meet while she navigated nursing school. After earning her degree, … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Essays | Comments Off on “The In-Between: Unforgettable Moments During Life’s Final Moments” by Hadley Valhos

‘I Love You. I Am Sorry’: One Jew, One Muslim and a Friendship Tested by War

A Los Angeles program that connects Muslims and Jews has been strained by the war in Israel. But the group’s leaders found that it has strengthened their bond. By Kurt Streeter in the NYT (Thanks to Marilyn W.) The two women … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Justice, prayer, War | Comments Off on ‘I Love You. I Am Sorry’: One Jew, One Muslim and a Friendship Tested by War

“Their Own Civil War”: Kim Schrier Talks about the Chaos in the House

By Joel Connelly As colleagues savored soundbites on Sunday morning TV shows, a welcome opportunity came to hear out solid work-horse member of Congress who reaches across the aisle in the “other” Washington.  But U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., did … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Government, Politics | Comments Off on “Their Own Civil War”: Kim Schrier Talks about the Chaos in the House

What They Don’t Tell You About Getting Old

By Roger Rosenblatt in the NYT – thanks to Tim and Tony for sending this along Mr. Rosenblatt is the author of several novels and memoirs, including “Cataract Blues: Running the Keyboard.” I recently turned 83, and while there are many … Continue reading

Posted in Aging Sites, Essays | Comments Off on What They Don’t Tell You About Getting Old

Duwamish: The River Seattle Forgot

by David Brewster in the Post Alley Newsletter Seattle, unlike most American cities, is not a river-mouth city, located (like Portland and St. Louis) at the mouth of a major river that drains a resource hinterland. Seattle’s forgotten Duwamish River … Continue reading

Posted in environment, Essays | Comments Off on Duwamish: The River Seattle Forgot

We Know the Cure for Loneliness. So Why Do We Suffer?

Ed note: Put B. sent me the article below and wrote the following. It raises important questions, particularly about the ease and convenience of dining together and meeting new friends over a shared meal. But is there even more we … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Caregiving, Essays, happiness, Health | 2 Comments

The Lethal Details Left out of “Oppenheimer”

By Dan Chasan in the Post Alley Newsletter – (Independent Writing and Editing Professional. Harvard University. Vashon, Washington) The blockbuster release of the popular film Oppenheimer gives Americans a chance to re-visit the complicated history of this nation‘s development, testing, and use … Continue reading

Posted in environment, Essays, Government, Law, Military, Morality, Movies, War | 2 Comments

To Be Happy, Marriage Matters More Than Career

Ed note: It’s hard to disagree with Brooks, but he really doesn’t address our age group in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. It isn’t uncommon that unconscious ageism leaves us out of the equation considering what may make us happy. … Continue reading

Posted in Essays | Comments Off on To Be Happy, Marriage Matters More Than Career

Here’s Why AI May Be Extremely Dangerous—Whether It’s Conscious or Not

Here’s Why AI May Be Extremely Dangerous—Whether It’s Conscious or Not By Tamlyn Hunt in the Scientific American (thanks to Ed M.) “The idea that this stuff could actually get smarter than people…. I thought it was way off…. Obviously, I no … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Law, Science and Technology | Comments Off on Here’s Why AI May Be Extremely Dangerous—Whether It’s Conscious or Not

Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren: When It Comes to Big Tech, Enough Is Enough

By Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren Mr. Graham, a Republican, is the senior senator from South Carolina. Ms. Warren, a Democrat, is the senior senator from Massachusetts. The digital revolution promised amazing new opportunities — and it delivered. Digital platforms promoted social interaction, … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Business, Communication, Essays, Government, Law | Comments Off on Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren: When It Comes to Big Tech, Enough Is Enough

Here’s How to Fix Downtown: Better Parking and Tax Breaks

Ed note: How about this article with a contrarian view!! By Dick Lilly in the Post Alley Newsletter A few months back my friend Alec Fisken (now passed away) and I were picking our way through downtown on our way … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Business, Entertainment, Essays, Government, In the Neighborhood, Traffic | Comments Off on Here’s How to Fix Downtown: Better Parking and Tax Breaks

If Loneliness Is an Epidemic, How Do We Treat It?

Ed Note: This article raises the question about our dealing with loneliness at Skyline–either our own or of others. If you have thoughts about this, please reply. Better yet speak to a member of the Caring Committee. By Eleanor Cummins and Andrew Zaleski … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Caregiving, Essays, happiness, Kindness | 1 Comment

Marjorie Taylor Greene compares Biden to FDR, LBJ. Thanks for the free campaign ad!

Thanks to Jim S. Rex Huppke        USA TODAY       Far-right Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene might have accidentally realized Joe Biden is a good president. The predominantly ludicrous lawmaker from Georgia did Biden an unexpected – and surely unplanned – solid this weekend in … Continue reading

Posted in Communication, Essays, Government, Politics | Comments Off on Marjorie Taylor Greene compares Biden to FDR, LBJ. Thanks for the free campaign ad!

Beware of the Medical Industrial Industry’s Incentives

Ed note: In the 1970’s I was interviewed by a medical group in Seattle and was told I could become their “thyroid guy!” I was confused because I was note trained in endocrinology, but that made no difference. They’d just … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Essays, Health | Comments Off on Beware of the Medical Industrial Industry’s Incentives

Canada Offers Lesson in the Economic Toll of Climate Change

Wildfires are hurting many industries and could strain households across Canada, one of many countries reckoning with the impact of extreme weather Thanks to Mike C. By Lydia DePillis in the NYT Canada’s wildfires have burned 20 million acres, blanketed Canadian and U.S. … Continue reading

Posted in Climate, Economics, environment, Essays, Health | 1 Comment

France Is on Fire

By Harrison Stetler – opinion in the NYT Mr. Stetler is a journalist who writes about French politics and culture. Sign up for the Opinion Today newsletter  Get expert analysis of the news and a guide to the big ideas shaping the … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Government, Guns, Law, Race | 1 Comment

Juneteenth

by Heather Cox Richardson Tomorrow is the federal holiday honoring Juneteenth, the celebration of the announcement in Texas on June 19th, 1865, that enslaved Americans were free.  On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Government, History, Justice, Race, Social justice | Comments Off on Juneteenth

Meditation and resilience – The Hidden Brain

Hidden Brain Media is an independent production company that aims to help curious people understand the world, and themselves. Our host and Executive Editor Shankar Vedantam has been reporting on human behavior and social science research for more than 25 … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, happiness, Health, Kindness, Media, Science and Technology, Spiritual | Comments Off on Meditation and resilience – The Hidden Brain