About
I began this blog for a number of reasons. One of them is that I believe it is the duty of all civilized people to speak out on issues that concern us all, that much the more when such people perceive an injustice.
Another is that I have lost all faith in the ability of mass media to report accurately ( read: non-ideologically ) on any serious subject. (That is, when they bother to report on a serious subject seriously. ) Please note, I an not putting forth the absurd argument that there is a “liberal media” dominating and distorting the USA.
I leave that to the mentally ill.
I am speaking of the self evident corporate monopoly on every form of media and the servile offerings their “journalists” spew forth for our consumption and every deepening intellectual and spiritual retardation. Corporate values — subservience, worship of power, religious devotion to authority figures, and a complete absence of any and all democratic impulses — were long ago internalized by such “journalists” as they are, indeed, day by day, insidiously internalized by ourselves.
Yet another reason for this little blog is my certainty that if humane change is ever going to happen in America, it will never flow from the top down ( it never has ) but must be forged upwards from the street.
My writings are my little efforts in that struggle.
What is certain is this: we have entered a stage in human history in which not only do the current systems no longer work, they are actually pernicious. Only a fool can believe our economic system can sustain itself and by extension, ourselves. Only a bigger fool can think that we can continue to rape the earth and it too will continue to sustain us.
Both political parties in this nation are spent forces and increasingly ridiculous bullshit machines. In that void steps the corporate machine supplying endless diversions and an almost military order.
We are, I believe, in great danger. Our answer to that danger, by and by, is to entertain ourselves not unlike “the sickness unto death.”
Writing is one way to articulate and confront that danger, as best one can. And so I do it.
My writing has appeared in many publications including Truthdig, The Catholic Worker, Alternet and the Socialist Worker. I have also read my work on WBAI and appeared on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show.
September 25, 2018 at 10:42 am
Patrick, I am off FB for the moment, but I wanted to be sure you saw this. https://wrenchinthegears.com/2018/09/21/finding-the-holy-grail-in-poverty-mining-sir-ronald-cohen-visits-harvard-and-the-vatican/
September 6, 2019 at 5:41 am
Thank you Allison.
January 18, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Hi! Your words have reached my soul! Thank you for writing! Are you alright with sharing of the doorknob poem if linked back to you?
January 18, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Be my guest. But please, link it back to me. And thank you for your kind words.
September 5, 2019 at 11:12 pm
Patrick–I need an email address for you to send a ltter. I wont make it public.
Thanks David Berliner
September 6, 2019 at 6:02 am
Hi David. For some reason I am just receiving this now. My email is paddywalsh@mindspring.com Hope you are well. Patrick
February 23, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Hello,
I am a blogger for Don’t Tread on Education (DTOE). Our blog will act as a hub for issues revolving around education. Most posts will be auto-updated to bring you the latest news. Some posts will be updated manually. We are trying to increase blog traffic and I am reaching out to bloggers who might be interested in listing our blog on their website. We have listed “like-minded” blogs just like yours on our blog (see http://dtoe.org/blogs-we-love/) and we would be delighted if you could link and list our blog on your blog roll as well.
Our blog’s URL is http://www.dtoe.org
Please email us at donttreadoneducationnyc@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Thanks.
December 26, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Hi Raginghorse. I found you through the Catholic Worker Periodical which I index. I’m happy to be able to read your work there and here on your blog. Bravissimo!
December 26, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Hi Amy,
and thank you for your kind words. Hope we might meet up some day at Mary House or St. Joes in NYC. Till then,
all the best.
Patrick
December 26, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Yes, I come up to NYC fairly often and have yet to visit Mary House or St. Joes – so that will be a treat. I index for CPLI (https://www.atla.com/products/catalog/Pages/cpli-db.aspx) and have a question about how to cite you. If you don’t mind sending me an email so I can ask you a question about it?
January 3, 2013 at 5:34 am
look me up.
February 1, 2011 at 2:58 am
You are SOOOOO right! It is very scary on so many levels and status quo is obviously NOT working. When people took pride in their work and unions were respected, children learned – oftentimes in class sizes of over 50:1. (My time!) I haven’t seen anyone take pride in their work since I was a little kid. I do, I am sure you do, and I know there are others like us that GET it.
I believe that those of us who “see” are connected in this world in some way and that connection will collaboratively utilized. I will support you in any way! Let me know. You seem to be our sensei! ^j^