My late brother Eddie’s birthday approaches. He would have been 67 on September 5. I know that’s not young, but we were not finished being brothers, and I still have a difficult time accepting his sudden illness and loss. It takes up a large space inside me, as I'm sure such deaths affect millions of … Continue reading Billy Bob Thornton and the honor in grief
Sept. 9: Jazz In The Square celebrates Baltimore legend Billie Holiday
The Fifth Annual Billie Holiday Jazz in Lafayette Square Concert is a musicalcelebration of the rich and important legacy of Baltimore’s own jazz legend Billie Holiday. Held at Lafayette Square Park, corner of Arlington Avenue and Lafayette Street, the event will be alive with performances on Saturday, September 9 from 2 til 6 pm. Performances … Continue reading Sept. 9: Jazz In The Square celebrates Baltimore legend Billie Holiday
NIMBY Bingo!
I have worked for newspapers since 1973 and during that time, as a reporter and columnist, I believe I’ve heard every possible reason why people in suburban and urban areas — more so the former — oppose the construction of multifamily apartments and modest homes priced at affordable rates. Opponents of affordable housing always say … Continue reading NIMBY Bingo!
Dan Can Cook: No-Fry Eggplant Parmigiana
It's eggplant season. I had many requests for this recipe after mentioning the no-fry method in last Sunday's Sun column. You need Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella and parmigiana, three beaten eggs.And one or two medium size eggplants, whatever will fill the baking dish you choose. Peel half of each eggplant, leaving some … Continue reading Dan Can Cook: No-Fry Eggplant Parmigiana
Rocks of Ages: North Branch, Potomac River
The North Branch of the Potomac River forms Maryland’s craggy border with West Virginia. Its trickling headwaters are in a remote place known as the Fairfax Stone. Several creeks feed the North Branch as it flows to its confluence with the South Branch and the main Potomac near Cumberland, Maryland. The North Branch was once … Continue reading Rocks of Ages: North Branch, Potomac River
Nightmare scenario: Matt Gaetz as Attorney General in a second Trump administration
How on Earth is anyone from the rational middle or the conscientious left supposed to “engage the other side” in meaningful dialogue when the Republican Party is led by Donald Trump and sycophants like Matt Gaetz?And not just Gaetz, the Florida congressman, but many like him.Many in the GOP — let’s make that most — … Continue reading Nightmare scenario: Matt Gaetz as Attorney General in a second Trump administration
Trump is a big story, but climate change is bigger
Fellow journalists, here and everywhere: There’s no question that the indictments against Trump are unprecedented and have powerful meaning for our democracy. It’s a big story. But climate change is a bigger story, and it’s time again to balance things out.Newspapers, magazines, the BBC and NPR do a good job of keeping climate change in … Continue reading Trump is a big story, but climate change is bigger
No, Trump is not being ‘persecuted.’ And no, this is not a ‘banana republic.’
Trump blasted the latest charges against him as “persecution of a political opponent” Thursday, after pleading not guilty to committing fraud in his bid to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.But, of course, he’s wrong.He’s being prosecuted, not persecuted.Persecution means “hostility and ill-treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation … Continue reading No, Trump is not being ‘persecuted.’ And no, this is not a ‘banana republic.’
Was there a ‘golden age’ in our time? Will we see one again?
A high school classmate of mine believes our generation was the last to experience “the last golden age” of America, and maybe the last on Earth.I have been weighing this assertion since she made it. I think I understand why she believes it.Baby boomers— that’s us — were born between 1946 and 1964, and we … Continue reading Was there a ‘golden age’ in our time? Will we see one again?
DeSantisized American History: Regarding the ‘good’ of slavery, here’s what Lincoln said
The wars being waged in Texas and Florida against “woke” — that is, against a full and objective understanding of American history, good and bad — clearly represent an effort by Republicans to white-wash the past and preserve the white patriarchy’s exceptional view of itself. These efforts are underway throughout the country, most vigorously in … Continue reading DeSantisized American History: Regarding the ‘good’ of slavery, here’s what Lincoln said
Dan Rodricks 