Confessions of a navel observer

Confessions of a navel observer by David Benjamin “It is hardly necessary to waste words over the so-called bikini since it is inconceivable that any girl with tact and decency would ever wear such a thing.” — Modern Girl, 1957 MADISON, Wis. — I went to Catholic school and developed a belly-button fetish. Looking back…

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Demagoguery, Nelson Algren and other campaign notes

Demagoguery, Nelson Algren and other campaign notes by David Benjamin “I don’t want to seem racist or nothing but the black heritage has been raised in a certain way that there’s no incentive to get out and work because all of a sudden you have five kids and there are no dads around.” — Jack…

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Why is this woman not an episode of ‘Criminal Minds’?

Why is this woman not an episode of ‘Criminal Minds’? by David Benjamin “Hill’ry Clinton took an ax, and gave Vince Foster forty whacks. “When she saw what she had done, she gave Chris Stevens forty-one.” — Popular children’s rhyme MADISON, Wis. — The latest kerfuffle over Donald Trump’s ambiguous call for “Second Amendment people”…

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"Through every Middlesex village and farm"

“Through every Middlesex village and farm” by David Benjamin “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” — The Bill of Rights Grosscup answered the door. He was in his pajamas. His coffee was brewing. He had…

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