Category Archives: In the spirit
Easter: Like a rolling stone
Been down. Been raised up. Been in exile. And brought out of Egypt. Been a victim. Took responsibility. Been self-reliant. Well, that didn’t work … Lost it all. Gained everything. Been with family when they died. Was there with my … Continue reading
First Latin American pope changes history
Pope Francis I has already made history — and that’s saying a lot about the most historic institution in the world. Considering the challenges he faces, however, that may be the easy part for the new pope, the former Cardinal … Continue reading
Cop killer: Just this side of prison
Hawaii. San Diego. Oregon. Berkeley. Santa Cruz. It’s not as if Jeremy Goulet did not leave a trail before his deadly encounter with Santa Cruz police Tuesday afternoon. Court martialed and and discharged from the military due to two rape … Continue reading
Death of police officers: Getting honest about Santa Cruz’s story
As the shock of Tuesday’s tragic violence settles into grief, many people are writing to the Sentinel, or posting online, messages that go something like this:: Our town has been overrun by criminals, because we’ve tolerated aberrant behaviors. This so-called … Continue reading
How old is the Roman Catholic Church?
In light of the abdication of Pope Benedict XV1, here is the list of all the popes, as posted in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican. St. Peter (32-67) St. Linus (67-76) St. Anacletus (Cletus) (76-88) St. Clement I (88-97) St. Evaristus … Continue reading
Scourge of crime hits home
In my job, I frequently write unsigned — and windy — Editorials, decrying injustice and the need for more tolerance, rehabilitation and even redemption. More gun control. I write about the plight of addiction, about the need to end chronic recidivism among … Continue reading
DIY: My adventures in handyman-ination
I have found a way to make myself useful, for once. And like pretty much everything else these days, it replaces flesh and blood with a digital solution. Kind of. As probably everyone under the age of 35 knows, … Continue reading
Come to the tree
Amid the Christmas shopping and the parties, planted among family, holding up traditions, stands the tree. Call it what you will — “holiday tree,” tree of the knowledge of good and evil, syncretic totem, and, oh yes, Christmas tree … Continue reading
Get real on gun laws
The following is the Dec. 19, 2012, Editorial for the Santa Cruz Sentinel: Controlling guns of mass destruction is much the topic — nationally and in this space — after the horrifying slaughter of 20 small children and six adults … Continue reading
School shooting: Evil speaks and someone is listening
A young boy is comforted outside Sandy Hook Elementary School after shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, Friday. REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin On Friday, I wrote a Sentinel Editorial about the growing insanity of a gun culture that has a nation so heavily armed … Continue reading
