On the Supreme Court and Detainees

The Supreme Court issued a stinging rebuke to the Bush Administration and its policy of classifying detainees as “enemy combatants,” stripping them of legal rights. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court says that detainees held at Guantanamo Bay and other military prisons have the right of habeas corpus to challenge their detentions. Also, theContinue reading “On the Supreme Court and Detainees”

On Impeaching the President

Dennis Kucinich, Democratic Congressman from Ohio and former Presidential candidate, is introducing 35 articles of impeachment against President George W. Bush. I’ve long wanted to see Bush impeached and removed from office. Or, even better, Bush extradited to Europe to stand trial at the Hague for war crimes. I know that Kucinich’s resolution will goContinue reading “On Impeaching the President”

On the Need for Pirates

It’s hot. It’s really hot. This is no mere heat wave. This is global warming, pure and simple. There’s only one thing to be done, really. High seas piracy. Where are the pirates stepping up to the plate, to sacrifice their lives, liberty, and sacred honor on the high seas? Where are the men ofContinue reading “On the Need for Pirates”

On Paperback Writer

It sometimes surprises me, given the cultural signifance of the Beatles, that there’s not more fiction devoted to the Beatles than there is. There’s a few novels — Liverpool Fantasy stands out — and some short stories, like Ian MacLeod’s “Snodgrass” and Stephen Baxter’s “The Twelfth Album.” Curiously, all of these novels are alternate historiesContinue reading “On Paperback Writer”

On Late Night Conversations

At midnight, my grandmother wanted to talk. She’d fallen asleep earlier in the evening, sometime around nine, and now it was midnight and she was done with her nap. She opened the door at the bottom of the steps, and began to ask questions. “Are you cool enough?” she asked. No. “Yes,” I said. “AreContinue reading “On Late Night Conversations”