Originally published at Counterpunch I’m currently working from the roof of the Austin Public Library, or at least I was working until I got distracted and started writing this instead. And before you picture me sitting cross-legged in gravel between a fire escape and an HVAC unit, I should clarify that our library has an… Continue reading

An edited version of this essay first appeared at CounterPunch. Alex Pretti’s death shows what happens when armed federal agents are given political cover to operate above the law and the public is told to ignore what it can plainly see. When the state kills in public and lies about it afterward, neutrality is no… Continue reading

First published at CounterPunch If soldiers in a war zone can avoid killing innocent civilians in a split second, why couldn’t a federal agent do the same thing in an American city? I didn’t imagine when I joined the Army and volunteered for the infantry that one of my duties would involve anything resembling census… Continue reading

First published at CounterPunch “Let nature do the freezing and frightening and isolating in this world. Let men work and love and fight it off.” —Jack Kerouac I woke up early this morning, like I do most mornings—especially in cities where I don’t have a mailing address. It’s not that I’m a “morning person” by… Continue reading