Author Archives: hderienzo

In philosophy, a debate has raged for millennia regarding universals and particulars. Are universals real or only abstract conceptions? Do universals exist apart from particulars or only through them? Are universals eternal and changeless, or do they change… and so on. Despite the positions taken from numerous thinkers from Plato to Kant, one thing isContinue reading “RACIST NORMS: WHEN THE PARTICULAR IS MADE UNIVERSAL”

This is a thoroughly enjoyable, at times humorous, book. (At a social event, Reich, at four feet ten inches, famously felt compelled to stand on a chair to discuss politics with former six foot, seven inch Senator, Alan Simpson). I believe the book will especially be of interest to those of us who are fromContinue reading “Book Review: Coming Up Short, A Memoir of My America, by Robert Reich, Alfred A. Knopf (2025)”

Another mass shooting, this time in a church in Michigan. A little over two years ago (after the Texas mall shooting by a White Nationalist) I posted an essay, “Mass Shootings: Sick Individuals or Sick Society. The point I was trying to make, and still maintain, was that to the extent these shootings become aContinue reading “From Thoughts, Prayers and Blaming Mental Health for Mass Shootings to “No, It’s Those Left Wing Extremists!””

“The politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice. You don’t. You have no choice! You have OWNERS! They OWN YOU. They own everything. They own all the important land. They own and control the corporations. They’ve long since bought, and paid for the Senate, the Congress, theContinue reading “The Need for a New Declaration of the Rights of People”

I was anxious to read this book, and I wholeheartedly endorse it. The research done by the author is extensive and impressive, and adds to our understanding of how the South Bronx came to become the international symbol of urban decay and dysfunction. To set aside what has appeared to be implicit and explicit criticismContinue reading “BOOK REVIEW: BORN IN FLAMES, THE BUSINESS OF ARSON AND THE REMAKING OF THE AMERICAN CITY, by Bench Ansfield”

The imaginary town of Benêtville lies just north of Interstate 10, northwest of New Orleans and southeast of Baton Rouge. Jim Fermier is a farmer who owns 120 acres just outside of Benêtville. This farm has been in his family since the 1830s. The Fermier family has a history of tradition, mixed with superstition. JimContinue reading “Trouble in Benêtville”

Florida is busy with plans to build a second one, Texas is moving ahead to expand its existing facility five-fold. In our history of exploitation of the most vulnerable among us, is this the new wave of oppression? If so, what is next? Wealth in this country has always been created at the expense ofContinue reading “Rebirth of a Nation?”

Ignorance a blanket, and facts arctic air. The more it blows, the more we cover. Our body wrapped, but soon discover How elusive our refuge, how fleeting the warmth,   Desired, yet waning. Regardless of shelter well within sight, Regardless the futility of holding tight, Regardless calamity assured, resolute, We stay the course. ********************************************************* IgnoranceContinue reading “IGNORANCE A BLANKET”

Today, Senator Ted Cruz introduced what he describes as landmark legislation that requires any jurisdiction within the United States that harbors a legislator who has fled their jurisdiction in order to prevent the legislature from doing its job be arrested and returned to their home state by force. As stated by Senator Cruz, “Here weContinue reading “A SATIRICAL PARODY”

If you want a better understanding of how the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, has been destroying democracy through what can be described as “death by a thousand cuts,” read this book. Each precedent-breaking ruling, taken alone, has only a marginally incremental impact. But when these actions accumulate over time, they become deadly. This isContinue reading “Book Review: LAWLESS, How The Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes (Published by Simon & Schuster (2025)                                                 By Leah Litman”