Charles Simmons | Adventures in La-La Land Chronicles of an American musician in exile

How the US Torture Scandal Has Altered My Political Thinking

For years I’ve considered myself politically “left of center”; a progressive / liberal on social issues, pretty much a moderate on fiscal issues. I tend to support politicians who have reasonable positions on issues, regardless if they’re Democrats, Republicans or Independents. The current debate about whether or not the US committed acts of torture in the name of national security, however, has really made me rethink my political leanings.
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Smartphones: 21st century Tamagotschis?

If I ever needed proof that the smartphone is quickly becoming the 21st century’s version of the Tamagotchi (those widely popular and extremely annoying “digital pets” from the 90′s), I found it on Saturday while waiting to catch my train back home. On a beautiful, warm, bright Saturday morning, I was shocked and intrigued by just how many people I witnessed (myself included) hunched over, faces buried in the tiny screens occupying the palms of their hands.
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Explaining U.S. Gun Laws To a Child

So, I’m preparing breakfast for the kids this morning (my daughter is 12 and my son is 10; my son had a friend sleep over last night), when a rather interesting conversation took place. Read the full story