Author: Eric Sondermann
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Please spare us your obvious pronouns | SONDERMANN
Oct. 15 is almost upon us. Can you feel the excitement? No, that is not Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as some states call it, or Cabrini Day, as it is known in Colorado. That all takes place earlier in the week on Monday. Federal workers will have the day off – oh, never…
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America’s condition as measured by one dismal weekend | Sondermann
It was just another weekend, a rather small slice of time, this one at the end of September. Around these parts, autumn leaf-peeping was at its peak. As beauty goes, that was about the extent of it. The nation witnessed nine, count ‘em, mass shooting incidents in this brief period, such a case being defined…
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What happened to that “one nation”, “indivisible”?| Eric Sondermann
Remember when the nation would pull together in times of tragedy? Flash back to how we united in grief when the crew of the space shuttle Challenger met their sudden demise. Think of how we came together in both tears and resolve when America was attacked using hijacked domestic aircraft 24 years ago this month.…
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COLUMN: A not-so-special session begins
As legislators gather in the coming days for the special session called by Gov. Jared Polis to address a worsening budget shortfall, Coloradans can be assured of one thing. That being said, the shots will be called — or already have been — by our Democratic governor and his party’s legislative leadership. Republican input will…
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COLUMN: A miserable, horrible, dangerously cynical idea
Avalanche superstar Cale Makar, not one to pass up a strategic advantage, would never be so bold as to suggest that the other team be required to play with broken sticks. Caitlin Clark, her polished exterior barely concealing the fierce competitor within, would not think of proposing that the basket at the opponent’s end of…
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COLUMN: A definition and defense of political moderation
A dozen or more years ago, a media colleague paid me the compliment of calling me, “Colorado’s most radical moderate.” Thank you for those words, David Kopel. As both parties have moved toward their extremities and the political noise machine exists on constant overdrive, moderation or centrism often seem endangered qualities. Any Republican not fully,…
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COLUMN: Polis eyes off-ramp from his legacy bridge
Those of vintage will recall “A Bridge Too Far,” “The Bridge at Remagen” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai.” Somewhat more recently, we have had “The Bridges of Madison County,” “Bridge of Spies,” “Girl on the Bridge” and “The Lovers on the Bridge.” Thank you, AI, for that list. I have personally seen a…
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COLUMN: An abundance of delay and paralysis | Sondermann
Amidst the dismay and recrimination that currently occupy Democrats, an active discussion is taking place around a new theory of governance that has become known by a single word, “abundance.” True, this dialogue is mainly limited to wonky types and policymakers. But it holds the potential to redefine the party around an agenda of opportunity…
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COLUMN: A book that nails this troubled era
Excellent books abound. But it is a rarity to find one that almost perfectly captures the current moment. Upon recent reading, that was my reaction to Evan Osnos’ “Wildland: The Making of America’s Fury.” The title derives from a catastrophic California wildfire a few years back. In trying to determine the blaze’s origin, experts were…
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COLUMN: Time overseas proves madness doesn’t take a vacation
A guy ought to be able to leave town, even the country, with the expectation that sanity will prevail, that the inmates will not be given the keys to the place and that he’ll return a couple of weeks later to find things largely the same as when he departed. Well, as we have learned…