Smith Reveals Self-Awareness, Growth and Perseverance in New Book — “He who dares not offend cannot be honest.” — Thomas Paine There is a famous scene in Howard Stern’s “Private Parts” when Paul Giamatti, who played a loose-cannon, radio station executive, nearly exploded when he learned that Howard’s ratings were exceptional. “If they hate him, why do they listen?” he…

Writers must find a balance between staying true to themselves and engaging their audience. — To maximize the effectiveness of my writing, I strongly consider my audience when I write. Depending on the platform, I employ different rhetorical and compositional devices that I believe will be the most impactful. The difficulty is in balancing my audience’s needs with my own, especially as it relates to…

Our former President got one, so it can’t be that bad. — As I am consistently fascinated and perplexed by MAGA Republicans and their consistent use of what I understand as cruel, dehumanizing rhetoric, my recent concern has been the persistent use of the word “illegal” when referring to “undocumented” immigrants, despite the backlash that it receives and the obvious pain that…

My fascination and disgust for right-wing politics, along with my need to stay true to myself, has cost me some relationships. — One thing that I know about myself is that I am always changing. I can wake up a week after writing an opinionated article and think, “I would say that differently if I wrote it today.” In that way you could say that I am somewhat bipolar in my writing…

MAGA’s fear of replacement is self-inflicted. — The human mind has an amazing ability to adapt to difficult circumstances. Like most things, that ability can produce positive or negative outcomes, depending on how it is applied. Most importantly, it can keep us alive. But most of us want more than a pulse. We yearn for quality of…

Tucker Carlson feeds on the pitiful fears of ignorant Whites. — If you happen to attend Tucker Carlson University at Fox on weeknights, then you have studied “The Great Replacement” to the point of exhaustion. Only, because the “Great Replacement” is such an emotional argument — one that provides a continuous, ecstatic rush of hate driven dopamine — students of Carlson…

SCOTUS turns hungry immigration officers loose on America’s streets. — It has been one and a half years since I wrote, “I Do Not Deserve to Be an American,” an essay that expressed the fear and angst I feel as an American who is married to an undocumented immigrant. At that time, Donald Trump reversed many Obama-era immigration policies, and…

As Christians seek to restrict birth control, Americans may have to take it in the ass. — “Our treasure or paradise becomes our bondage.” — Bishop Sanders of the Trinity Episopal Church For some time, fundamental American-Christians have envisioned an ideal society where sex is something that is shared exclusively by married, heterosexual couples. In more extreme cases, sex between married couples would only be utilized for…

As Dems turn on Biden, they gain credibility with Republicans. — We now know what happens when 2 political parties divide the nation in 2022, and it ain’t civil war — at least not yet. Some would like the public to believe that they are ready for a war, but the truth is that most Americans are too comfortable to fight…