Maybe it was the format: Each of the 14 Republican candidates for President was questioned individually in 5- to 6-minute segments, with no audience
Author: Gloria Shur Bilchik
Gloria Shur Bilchik is a freelance writer and community volunteer in St. Louis, Missouri. She is the editor of Occasional Planet. She views the preservation of democratic values and progressive programs as vital to making the US a humane, livable place for her children and grandchildren.
Why Donald Trump will not run as a third-party candidate
Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to bolt the Republican party and switch his Presidential “candidacy” to a third party. News media are taking this
Kiss Cam: The new social barometer
When do you know that a social trend has gained full traction in America? One way is to listen to the pronouncements of pundits,
Eric Greitens: Lost in Republican-land
Many Missouri Democrats have been wondering about Eric Greitens—the former Navy SEAL who is considering running for Governor in 2016. A few years ago,
Ferguson bus tour: Beyond the riot-porn
There’s a lot more to Ferguson, Missouri than what we’ve seen in the media. After Michael Brown was killed by a Ferguson cop, and
Kansas raises taxes…reluctantly and nastily
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback [R]—who started the whole mess—knows it. The Republican dominated Kansas legislature—who gleefully made it happen—knows it, too. The radical, right-wing
The religious-identity spectrum: Is this the new LGBTQ+?
Religious identity has always been a big deal in America. Identifying yourself as a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist, or
I’ve lost my handgun virginity
Last week, I fired a handgun for the first time in my life. And for those of you hoping to learn that my experience
“Why do you support such a liberal agenda?” An honest answer in a tough market
Recently, Charlotte NC Mayor Dan Clodfelter proclaimed April 30, 2015 to be Honesty Day. In response, the editorial page editor of the Charlotte Observer–Taylor
Citizen Police Academy: How I got to be a pretend police officer for one night
I’m not a cop, but I played one yesterday. On the final night of the 9-week Citizen Police Academy that I’ve been attending, 30