Independent Progressive Media: Vital Resource for Dark Days Ahead

Revised 2/25/25 & pinned to the top of the blog. This Monday, January 20, will usher in what may prove to be America’s darkest period since the Civil War. We’ve known bad times before — the Depression, Vietnam War, and Watergate to name a few — but I don’t think the country has faced possible dissolution since the Civil War. I’m not suggesting the United … Continue reading Independent Progressive Media: Vital Resource for Dark Days Ahead

Bob Laycock (He/Him)January 17, 2025February 25, 2025Leave a comment

LGBTQ+, My Personal Journey, Politics, Trump

The Election is Done. And so am I.

Note: We’re approaching a year since the election when I posted this. A lot has happened since then! I’m not sure this fully captures my feelings today, though it’s a snapshot in time. Health and family matters are rather all-consuming right now, but hopefully soon I will publish an update. The election is done. I have to admit that Trump’s victory blindsided me. I always … Continue reading The Election is Done. And so am I.

Bob Laycock (He/Him)November 6, 2024October 1, 202512 Comments

Politics, Trump

Stocks Soaring. Inflation Tamed. Unemployment Low. So Why Do Things Seem So Bad?

Trump paints a picture of America as a hellscape. He says we’re suffering the worst inflation in history. Illegal immigrants are either eating our pets, stealing our jobs, or invading our kitchens and slitting our throats. Meanwhile, Biden and Harris are boasting an economy that has rebounded from the depths of the worldwide pandemic and is thriving by every measure: Wow. That’s good stuff — … Continue reading Stocks Soaring. Inflation Tamed. Unemployment Low. So Why Do Things Seem So Bad?

Bob Laycock (He/Him)October 18, 2024November 8, 2024Leave a comment

LGBTQ+, Transgender

National Coming Out Day 2024

Today is National Coming Out Day — created in 1988 by Jean O’Leary and Dr. Robert Eichberg to celebrate the courage of coming out and to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community. It marked the first anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights held in Washington, DC, on October 11, 1987. This is a sampling of Coming Out Day videos, … Continue reading National Coming Out Day 2024

Bob Laycock (He/Him)October 11, 2024November 25, 2024Leave a comment

David & Me, My Personal Journey

A Gift & A Nod from the Gods

Today is David’s and my 10th wedding anniversary. We married in a small, intimate ceremony in New York City’s Central Park. It was glorious! A beautiful event on a perfect sunny day in one of our favorite places on the planet. Check out the pictures and our story here. The wedding was the highlight of my life, but what followed a few years later is … Continue reading A Gift & A Nod from the Gods

Bob Laycock (He/Him)October 5, 2024October 5, 2024Leave a comment

Politics, Trump

Excerpts from Project 2025

Project 2025 is a proposed presidential transition project that is composed of four pillars: a policy guide for the next presidential administration; a LinkedIn-style database of personnel who could serve in the next administration; training for that pool of candidates dubbed the “Presidential Administration Academy;” and a playbook of actions to be taken within the first 180 days in office. It is led by two … Continue reading Excerpts from Project 2025

Bob Laycock (He/Him)July 28, 2024January 21, 2025Leave a comment

Politics

On the Campus Protests Supporting Hamas

I’m a veteran of many protests and marches including a building occupation and summer-long encampment while a student at Kent State University. What we did then and what’s going on now are very different in important ways. We weren’t perfect by any means, but we were non-violent. We didn’t destroy property and we didn’t foment hate against any group. Very importantly, we knew history and … Continue reading On the Campus Protests Supporting Hamas

Bob Laycock (He/Him)April 30, 2024May 2, 2024Leave a comment

LGBTQ+, Transgender

March 31 is Big Enough for Easter & Transgender Day of Visibility

Republicans and religious rightists have gotten their feathers all ruffled over the fact that Easter this year coincides with International Transgender Day of Visibility. Like in the old westerns, they’re shouting “This town ain’t got room for the two of us!” Easter I think we all know Easter. It celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day following his Crucifixion. Unlike other Christian holidays … Continue reading March 31 is Big Enough for Easter & Transgender Day of Visibility

Bob Laycock (He/Him)March 31, 2024March 31, 2024Leave a comment

This, That & the Other, My Personal Journey

Remembering Mike Crider (1965-2023)

I initially intended to post this directly on Facebook but decided I preferred instead a more permanent tribute on my blog… My thoughts this morning turn to Mike Crider who passed away a year ago today. Ours was an interesting relationship. Mike was referred to David & me by someone — I don’t recall who — for the HVAC work we needed after buying our … Continue reading Remembering Mike Crider (1965-2023)

Bob Laycock (He/Him)March 10, 2024March 11, 2024Leave a comment