Davison online
The life and times of the world’s
most self-deluded online superstar
News & Commentary
Oregon estate tax collections are soaring, and not just because of more deaths
Don’t die rich in Oregon.
Pride 2024: First UK Muslim event to ‘choose joy over rejection’
This takes a lot of courage even in a supportive country.
The Tesla Model Y Takes Top Spot in American-Made Index Yet Again
One of my reasons for buying Tesla
Social-Media Influencers Aren’t Getting Rich—They’re Barely Getting By
The reality of online influencing
Oregon makes bold statement recognizing International Baccalaureate
“Bold” is the wrong word.
Portland teachers union links to lessons urging students to pray to Allah, write Biden to stop funding Israel
The alienation continues.
Tensions flare as Portland teachers’ union promotes pro-Palestinian teaching guides
Why would Jewish parents send their kids to Portland Public Schools?
Salem city council passes alternative Gaza ceasefire resolution following hours of public testimony
What a waste of time
Salem City Council to consider Gaza ceasefire resolution Tuesday
Easily the stupidest idea I’ve heard today.
A Teacher Did All He Could to Keep Kids Off Phones. He’s Quitting in Frustration.
Don’t take responsibility for other people’s problems
Essays
This is How I Roll
HistoryAfter a variety of health woes, my parents downsized from two vehicles to their one Honda Accord in 2006. They generously offered us their high mileage 1991 Honda Civic and, as I recall, we somewhat hesitantly accepted. Erin and I figured we'd drive it for a year, buy a new car to replace it, and all would be fuzzy bunnies and rainbows. Well, I think the reliability of the Honda, especially after the nightmare that was the Mazda 626, plus the lack of a monthly car...
Against War (again)
Consider me opposed to the United States' latest military endeavors in Libya. As I'm already on record against our invasion of Iraq and have long thought our lingering stay in Afghanistan pointless at best, this should surprise no one. The establishment of a no-fly zone in Libya lacks proper justification, has no satisfactory exit strategy, is an unaffordable waste of money, and won't achieve our presumptive goal of advancing democracy. As noble as our intentions might be,...
Perspective
In 1995 I traveled across America via Amtrak, whose dismal on time track record and other failings led critics to call for their shutdown and to brand them (thanks to their logo) "the pointless arrow." Not one of my trips on Amtrak was less than two hours late, so I knew exactly where those critics were coming from, though I quite liked train travel generally. One particularly outrageous delay, though I might add not the longest, afforded me a valuable life lesson. Helpful,...
PVP, We Hardly Knew Ye
Because I'm going to be fairly critical I want to start by stating flatly that Scott Kurtz' Player vs. Player (aka PVP) was my favorite comic, web or printed, for years. Kurtz' has a wonderfully developed sense of humor and comes from a Gen X background similar to my own, which is to say that we share many of the same cultural touchstones (Star Wars, Star Trek, Dukes of Hazzard, etc.). He's not just brilliant in the comic format, either. If you've not heard him on the audio...