Author Archives: Denise Donaldson

As a woman, I owe Ruth Bader Ginsburg a huge debt.  She’s usually not spoken of in the same breath as Gloria Steinem, but she probably did as much as or more than Steinem for women’s equality.  Her early work was with the ACLU, and then she began on the cause to which she devotedContinue reading “The Passing of Justice”

With a few notable exceptions (Johnny Carson and Audrey Hepburn being two of them), most celebrities are extroverts.  They crave the spotlight and they shine in it.  They like to be surrounded by other people, and are happiest when they have a lot going on.  Their philosophy is, “The more the merrier!”  This approach toContinue reading “The I’s Have It”

I’ve never been a big fan of large power boats, even when I lived on a resort island and was surrounded by them all summer.  Instead, my dream was always to own a smallish sailboat.  There were two sail regattas in the lake every July and August.  What’s unique about a sailboat race?  The vesselsContinue reading “Why the Need for Speed?”

One afternoon when I was 12 or 13, my brother and I were riding our bikes in our neighborhood when my dad happened to be driving home from work.  From the top of a street with a steep incline, he saw us tearing down the hill, zigzagging from one side of the road to theContinue reading “Take Me to the Pilot”

One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give aContinue reading “The Orange-ophile Psyche?”

I had a request to outline my views on the paranormal in my blog, eclectic as it is, so I’m taking a short break from current events, and this post is for you, Linda. I can’t say that I have personally witnessed any kind of apparition, rattling chains, frigid zones, or things that go “bump”Continue reading ““…More Things in Heaven and Earth…””

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams has recorded a public service message about the coronavirus, currently airing on radio stations.  In it, he reminds us that we “should” wash our hands frequently and thoroughly, that we “should” stay six feet apart from others “if possible,” and if that’s not possible, “I’m begging you,” he says,Continue reading “Sometimes a Right….Isn’t”

The NY Times headline on August 27th reads, “With Wisconsin Unrest as Backdrop, Republicans Intensify Law-and-Order Message.”  That is, the GOP is painting the Dems as weak on crime and tolerant of anarchy. Such a stance becomes the height of irony when a rifle-toting, police-loving Orange supporter kills innocent protesters on the sidewalk.  A 17-year-oldContinue reading “Unlawful Disorder”

A recent online exchange of views prompted me to give more thought to the circumstances of the 40%.  That is, the estimated proportion of people in this country, give or take, that continues to support the actions and policies of the current Oval Office occupant.  Survey numbers fluctuate, but in general, at least one-third ofContinue reading “Deception….Not”

There aren’t many of us, relatively speaking.  I’ve only known one other person like me.  Sure, college students cram during all-nighters and party into the wee hours, and maybe early 20-somethings go clubbing on the weekends until the bars close, but people who are actually wired to be alert most of the night and sleepContinue reading “Night Owl, and Fine with It”