Beware of the Shifting, Seasonal Political Conventional WisdomIndependent’s Eye by Joe GandelmanMANCHESTER, New Hampshire ““ This year’s New Hampshire autumn was strange. Until September’s final days it was hot and then there was a sudden downpour, an abrupt cooling — and leaves started changing color within one weekend.Just like the conventional wisdom suddenly changing as a hot media narrative moves [Read More]

The first encounter I had with what is now commonly known as a “birther” was right after the 2008 election. It was with one of my family members:”Obama wasn’t even born in this country,” she-who-will-remain-nameless proclaimed.”No, you’ve got it mixed up. McCain wasn’t born in this country,” I said. “He was born in Panama, but it was a US territory [Read More]

“Grandma,” said a young man when my mother answered her phone last week, “I’m in trouble.”He sounded like one of her grandsons.”Jerrod?” she said.”Yes, Grandma. We were fishing in Canada and didn’t know we were on an Indian reservation. Some mean-looking men said we broke the law. They’re taking us to a judge for sentencing. I need bail money or [Read More]