Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkey Publishes Advocate Commentary

I had a commentary published in this week's Valley Advocate. Last night as I read various news sites, I thought about how the Rush Limbaugh crowd and others would label me a liberal, cheese-eating surrender monkey for my thoughts about why I think Europe has its priorities better in line than we do. The GOP hates Europe, and especially, the French. The recent Obama tour made them all furious and huffy. Like the 80 percent of Americans with no passport, nor any interest in ever leaving our borders, many Republican leaders are more interested in drilling than conserving. They can't stand the fact that our society is changing to adopt a more green, and yes, more European way of looking at things like transit and health care.

You can read the "Between the Lines" commentary at this link, and I hope you will let me know what you think. The best part of writing a commentary in a newspaper that so many people pick up are the comments from readers. First a man blasted the French, claiming their 'socialist' model is unstainable, and that they don't have enough children and that the US pays to defend them.

Then, another commenter points out that the last two presidents of France were not socialists and that he should stop watching Fox News.

On another note, today we're finally running GoNOMAD Cafe radio ads on WRSI the River. I hope that I get to listen to at least one spot on my way up to Deerfield in the truck. Somehow hearing the ads myself makes me like paying the bills more.

Grab a Bike and Ride All Over the City

I found this rack of public bikes right next to Bologna's city offices. Another city, like Copenhagen, embracing the concept of putting out bikes for citizens to use for free.

In Denmark, anyone can pop a coin into the rack and use a bike for about $3.65 a ride. In this Italian city, you have to show you're a resident, then you can ride for free.

While I was in Italy, my story came out in the Valley Advocate about these alternatives to driving, and the climate in Europe that encourages bike use. You can read the story at the Valley Advocate's website. It's always fun to see my articles in other publications...funny, no matter how many times I get published, I still get a little thrill seeing that byline.

Still a Thrill to See My Story in the Advocate

As the winter that didn't yet happen moves into January, I had a chance to relive the real winter of 2004 when I traveled to Whitefish Montana for a press trip. There I skiied Big Mountain on skis and snowcycles, went dogsledding, explored Glacier National Park and and did some icy cross-country skiing.

I was pleased yesterday to pick up the Valley Advocate and find a version of the story I wrote for GoNOMAD on their pages. They have a new sports column, focusing on the alternative view of sports, not so much balls as activities like skiing, running and other pursuits. I guess my piece was right for the space. Tom Vannah selected a photo of a Bighorn sheep hopping on a rock from Getty Images that was shot in Glacier National Park, where part of the story took place.

Remembering back to the olden days of the late '70s when I worked at the Advocate it is a real treat to now be a contributor. In those days I used to write music reviews and other articles. I remember once I went up to Flat Street nightclub in Brattleboro to do a piece about Stephane Grapelli, the jazz violinist. I brought two women with me, and the guy at the door sighed. Then he said 'oh well, you gotta have the press,' and let us through for free. It's been that way ever since!

Through all of the successive decades that paper has come out every week, and while it has changed, it's always had a loyal readership--despite being free, most people pick it up and read.