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As my old college friend Brian O’Donnell used to observe, “Whenever you say ‘Somebody ought to fix this,’ you, invariably, are the somebody.”

The Big Orange Menace is obviously intent on intimidating us into staying in bed with the covers pulled over our heads. He doesn’t want us to protest or vote or challenge him in any way. And the moment we give in to that inclination to say “Please just leave us alone,” he’s won.

Having grown up in the shadow of a narcissistic father, I know this isn't the type of person we should have representing America.

As a child, I was the one kid in school upon whom everyone heaped their hatred. I was picked on mercilessly and, being a sensitive youth, I would frequently go home crying. This, of course, was exactly what my tormentors were striving for, and my mother would take me in hand and tell me they were jealous of me. I found my answer - and a viable solution for the Democratic party - in the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche.

Thoughts for the new year My own father was a narcissist who believed none of the rules that applied to normal people ever applied to him. Everything wrong was always someone else’s fault, though he’d quickly take credit for anything good that happened around him. I’m used to this crap, and know that over the long run it will be defeated. Here’s why.

"Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, 'It will be happier." - Alfred, Lord Tennyson

There’s blood in the water. Sure, Donald “It’s all about me!” Trump has been teasing the MAGA crowd with the idea that he might run for president again in 2028. He tosses out this red meat for his audience, saying “I would love to do it,” and similarly ridiculous statements, both because it keeps the cameras on his pitiful need for attention and – more importantly – keeps the suckers sending in financial contributions. After all, his super PAC MAGA Inc. has already raised ove

In a town – and a time – of selfishness and self-serving, Reiner was one of the good guys, always fighting, both through his films and his politics, to make the world kinder and closer. And yes, that meant fighting against Trump and his increasingly erratic and authoritarian rule.

People have grown wise to Donald Trump, and he’s no Ronald Reagan. He lacks the ability to negotiate, empathize, or try to satisfy the needs of anyone other than himself.

My bride and I just went to see the new WICKED movie. Those who remember the stage performance may be surprised to learn there are two new songs, one called No Place Like Home . This song spoke of “A place that seems to be devolving, and even wanting to. But Oz is more than just a place. It's a promise, an idea, and I want to help make it come true.” Elphaba (the “Wicked Witch”) then asks “Why should a land have so much meaning when dark times befall it? It's only land, made

Headlines notwithstanding, we still have the freedom to reflect, speak, and participate. Even in times of division, the ability to express ourselves, to engage, to disagree, and to make choices about our leadership is a gift.

Anyone paying attention has probably noticed the explosion of homelessness along the North County corridor.   Carlsbad and Oceanside have been caught for years between sky-high housing demand and a local economy where wages simply haven’t kept pace. Young families, teachers, nurses, and service workers commute brutal distances because they can’t afford local rent. And the most vulnerable — seniors, veterans, and people struggling with mental-health or addiction challenges — a

Meet Rob Weinberg, our new blogger With 45+ years in the communications trenches, Rob’s a Renaissance Author, Editor and Marketer. Starting as principle of a New York ad agency, he spent decades as a strategist, copywriting, and project director for a broad range of clients on both coasts. These days he professionally helps folks write books, acting as editor, ghostwriter, and production manager.  In addition to his recently published 5 Minutes to Better Branding ( https://am

Welcome to the TACO Truck (The Activists of Carlsbad & Oceanside) – an occasional post about what Donald Trump and his minions are doing and what we as a community can do to fix it.   For instance, now that Darrell Issa’s Proposition 50 lawsuit has been thrown out and the new political map takes his home out of his own congressional district , it’s time to choose who you want to replace him in Congress. There are presently six (count ‘em, SIX!) Democrats running for the 48 t