Category: Opinion
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Criminalizing the Homeless
As the New York Times noted in its 17 July 2014 editorial, “Shunting the Homeless From Sight,” the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down the City of Los Angeles’ ban on citizens living out of automobiles. We all should be grateful for the wise decision of the Ninth Circuit, which…
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A Bad Trip, Part Two
I have been homeless before, so I was kind of relieved. And I have slept in worse places than that. After two days of intense work, we had a livable house. We sat back, smoked one of the last few joints and talked about money. Then I started working at Ernie’s Country Store in Corvallis,…
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Random Thoughts
As we sweat through summer, I have a few things on my mind: The Supreme Court The court justices or should I say jesters have handed down some rather insane rulings in the last couple of weeks: stomping all over abortion rights, the Hobby Lobby ruling is just plain stupid, letting employers opt out of…
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In Memorium: Central Square
A couple of weeks ago, I was walking through Central Square in Cambridge, looking for somewhere to grab a quick bite before heading back to the SPARE CHANGE NEWS offices. I thought about Hi-Fi, the little fast food restaurant on the corner of Brookline St. and Massachusetts Ave. Not the healthiest of choices for lunch,…
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‘Wanton Regard’: A Book Review
“Fate don’t negotiate”—Gage Dolon As I read “Wanton Regard,” I wondered what kind of mind Geoffrey Neil must have to be able to come up with a fiendish character like Gage Dolon. This is Geoffrey Neil’s third book and his writing is every bit as good as Stephen King’s or Joe Hill’s. The only difference…
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Reflections on Ed, One Year Later
Edward Berkin was my attorney, friend and brother. We met almost 40 years ago, after an incident at MCI-Concord that resulted in my return to higher custody at MCI-Walpole. It was a very hot July morning when a group of prisoners sought water prior to a work assignment. We were immediately transported to the segregation…
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The Birth of Ar Lain Ta, Part Three
At that moment, Nang Saeng Zoom appeared, and light seemed to shine from her eyes as she lifted Chang Te Tzu as if he weighed nothing, carrying him quickly into her dwelling. His personal guards stood well away and did not interfere, being afraid that they would be struck with the strange malady that had…
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There Is No Color Here
Over the past few weeks, we have heard about racism everywhere, from a tax-evading cow farmer to the NBA. Once again there were racial slurs hurled at an opposing hockey player in Boston. The list just goes on. I do not really have an opinion on the matter. Why? Because I have talked about racism…
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The Birth of Ar Lain Ta, Part Two
I’m a gatekeeper. My kingdom is a subterranean basement where junkies come to dream about what might have been; what should have been; what could happen if only, if only, if only. Sometimes, I tell the stories and he writes them down. I’m not the only one here who tells the stories. Everyone who comes…
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A Matter of Life and Death
Someone once stopped me from taking my life by telling me his story, and I was encouraged to start giving back. Much has been given to me. I am 66 years old, and I am happy. Eleven years ago I married my soul mate. In January, I retired from a wonderful job I held for…