The Vegan Kitchen: Roasted Tomato, Mustard Greens, and Chorizo Chili
I grew up in Texas where chili is part of the holy trinity of cuisine. As a Texan, you have your barbecue, your guacamole, and your chili. What these three … Continue reading
Michael Simms: Saul Alinsky’s 13 strategies to take your community back from Trump
Saul Alinsky (1909 – 1972) is generally considered to be the founder of modern American community organizing. Alinsky focused on improving the living conditions of poor communities across America, especially the … Continue reading
Michael Simms: Muse
As a musician, he was solid and reliable, but unimaginative. His chief talent lay in being in the right band. He enjoyed drinking and taking drugs, still in the initial … Continue reading
Michael Simms: Thank you, Mr. President
Barack Obama: School’s out! . Thank you, President Obama! You served the country with dignity, grace, and honesty. You accomplished a great deal in eight years. You pushed through health … Continue reading
Sun Tzu: How to win against Donald Trump and the forces he represents
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance. — If your opponent is of choleric temper, irritate him. — He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. … Continue reading
Michael Simms: The Very American Poetry of Jose Padua
What are poets for in destitute times? — Hölderlin . Every poem is a subversive act. In an age when our senses are benumbed by competing media screaming for our … Continue reading
Audio: Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel — “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel have fun covering this American classic written by Frank Loesser in 1944. Although a perennial holiday favorite, the song has become controversial in recent years.
Michael Simms: Meet our new Secretary of Defense — General James “Mad Dog” Mattis
In the list of frightening cabinet appointments by President-elect Donald Trump, perhaps the most disturbing is his pick for Secretary of Defense, General James “Mad Dog” Mattis. Not only would … Continue reading
Michael Simms: Two Thefts
When I was in college, I committed larceny twice. Forty years later, I still feel pleased by the first theft and ashamed of the second. I was living with a … Continue reading
Michael Simms: Trump is attacking my family. And yours.
When I went back to Llano, Texas for my sister’s funeral a dozen years ago, I was surprised that the Baptist church was full of Latinos. But then I realized … Continue reading
Michael Simms: Top 10 best really terrific things about Trump becoming President
Most of us didn’t vote for him, so we can always claim that he’s not our fault. Putin and the Russians like him. They really really like him. … Continue reading
Michael Simms: Going Deaf
Now is the time for drowsy tanagers. -– E.S. . First I lost the tick of snowflakes hitting glass. Then the sound of the cat’s tongue running over her fur. … Continue reading
Michael Simms: President Donald Trump
My countrymen, what have you done? You’ve elected as your leader a man who despises you; who has no respect for law or custom or simple decency; a small vulgar … Continue reading
Michael Simms: Why I’m With Her
As a supporter of Bernie Sanders, I was disappointed when he lost the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton. Bernie asked his supporters to help elect Clinton, so out of respect … Continue reading
