Because I sit in the Thursday chair here at the Opinion Factory, every year I speak on Thanksgiving, but never on Mardi Gras. Further depressing my chances is the fact that I live in Vermont, the land Mardi Gras forgot. But Mardi Gras is a premonition of spring and whether or not you believe me, […]

Do you remember the telephone game? Back in first or second grade, the teacher, desperate for a way to kill off a midwinter afternoon, would line us all up and whisper a story into the ear of the child at the head of the line. The story would slowly pass down the line and the […]

Thomas Jefferson’s sex life was in the newspapers again last week. The New York Times ran a piece in which Mr. Jefferson’s stalwarts said they had reviewed the recent DNA evidence and had profound doubts as to whether Mr. J did indeed have a sexual relationship and children with Sally Hemings, whom he owned. History, […]

Eleven months ago, I pre-empted a planned commentary to talk about the president’s sexual indiscretions. I wasn’t happy about that, but no one seemed able to focus on anything else that week. Since then, I’ve tried to speak about issues that really matter as the opportunities and the days of our lives slip away while […]