Author: Eric Sondermann
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‘Interesting times’ for American Jews | SONDERMANN
An ancient Chinese curse reads: “May you live in interesting times.” These words are hardly a blessing or expression of well wishes. “Interesting times” are assumed to be ones of turmoil and trouble. Most people would pine for the peace and tranquility of duller periods of lesser intrigue. But let’s jump around the globe here…
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Six years by the mayor’s side | SONDERMANN
As Denver is about to take the first step in selecting whom will take Michael Hancock’s place in the large, third-floor, executive office in City Hall, today I want to focus on the person who has occupied the smaller, adjacent office for the past six years. Eric Sondermann For those who do not know Alan…
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Warning signs aplenty in modern media | SONDERMANN
It is rarely a good sign when the news media becomes the news. Eric Sondermann Yet that is happening with growing regularity. Consider this another disturbing symptom of our overly heated, aggrieved, polarized times. At the end of January, Leonard Downie, Jr., former executive editor of the Washington Post, wrote an opinion column for that…
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Denver voters drowning in choices | SONDERMANN
Eric Sondermann Those of us with a gray hair here and there may find this Denver mayoral race somewhat akin to the court-ordered breakup of the AT&T phone system four decades back. With the flick of that switch, consumers went from having one choice (meaning no choice) for local phone service to soon having what…
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Goodbye, elephant — the GOP’s new symbol is a shovel | SONDERMANN
When it comes to damage control, rule number-one is paramount: When in a hole, quit digging. Somehow, this is time-tested best practice that vast elements of today’s Republican Party have forsaken. Either the dog ate the memo or it got lost in the mail. The Republican Party comes off three consecutive elections with results ranging…
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2024 will be here sooner than you think | SONDERMANN
It is barely past the middle of February. The snow is still flying. Glorious spring awaits. Followed by summer activities and then fall colors. Thanksgiving will beckon along with the December holidays. 2024, and especially the presidential race that will be its hallmark feature, seems somewhere off on the distant horizon. Were it only so.…
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On wolves, chickens and a number of turkeys | SONDERMANN
Remember a dozen years ago and the online obsession with FarmVille? In that spirit, this week’s offering concerns a handful of farm animals along with one who feasts on such prey. Public policy in Colorado is sometimes made in the legislature and other times at the ballot box. Whatever the venue and whomever the deciders,…
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‘Live and let live’ and contemporary liberalism | SONDERMANN
“Live and let live.” In a free country, what’s not to like about that? The saying was something of a liberal code used to garner acceptance, or at least tolerance, of various lifestyle choices in years gone by. What goes on in the bedroom between consenting adults? Live and let live. Decorating your body with…
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George Santos and the disappearance of shame | SONDERMANN
The fact that George Santos is still drawing a tax-funded salary begs the question of what level of deceit is required to get booted from Congress. The Santos spectacle invites a second question. Namely, what has become of the whole idea of shame in modern America? To be clear, there are plenty of longtime causes…
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Eight weeks; two dozen candidates – the Denver mayor’s race | SONDERMANN
Eric Sondermann The idealist would say: “Look at all those dedicated Denverites willing to step forward for tough duty.” The cynic would counter: “Is it any surprise that so many would throw their hat in the ring when taxpayers are footing a large chunk of the bill?” Whether you are a sentimentalist or somewhat more…