Note to readers: Columnist Jim Tortolano is taking the week off with Retorts. Here’s a “classic” column from a year ago. It seems like not much has changed. Back to live action […]
Retorts: A nation that’s still very divided
Retorts: Are “bad” words a good idea?
“Why are you guys farkling around? Ah, zork! Quit being such a honyocker!” This is how I swear. Pretty lame, eh? Well, maybe, maybe not. I wasn’t always quite so delicate in […]
Retorts: October’s delights and issues
“October had tremendous possibility. The summer’s oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.” ― Sarah Guillory, “Reclaimed” What […]
Retorts: Abe Lincoln and Amazon’s HQ2
I am a great believer in failure. Oh, yes, winning gets all the good press, but I’d wager to say that, over time, losing benefits you more than winning. Stay with me […]
Retorts: Guns in our hands, imaginations
Everyone is still a bit shook by Sunday night’s horrific events in Las Vegas. The worst mass shooting in American history was made even more painful by the fate of at least […]
Retorts: Tragedy and an opportunity
You hear a lot these days about mixed-use projects. Well, this week’s Retorts is a mixed-use column about two items of interest to our communities and, well, our columnist. Police shootings not […]
Retorts: Next wave will be on two wheels
Back before you got your driver’s license, and then your first car, the first wave of independence you rode was on your bicycle. In elementary school, and maybe even for a while […]
Retorts: Thinking about what a real hero is
I don’t think I could have done it. In my military reserve days, they taught us that when a hand grenade lands by you, just fall flat on your face on the […]
Retorts: Disaster prep needn’t be disaster
Oh, that’ll never happen. Or, it won’t happen again. The nation’s attention has been focused this week on the agony of Texas and Louisiana as those states are lashed by Hurricane – […]
What’s in a name? Business, that’s what
This is the season of statues, monuments and symbolism, both near and far. Violence in Virginia, and at least some virulent words here in Orange County. A national tempest has been stirred […]
