A Fourth of July column by Roger Cohen the New York Times’ best writer:  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/02/opinion/july-4th-coronavirus.html?referringSource=articleShare

‘I LOVE AMERICA more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.’
                                                                              —James Baldwin

I just got this book in the mail from the local bookstore I go to. I got it not just because it’s ‘of the moment’. I got it because it’s about James Baldwin. I started it last night. The first dozen pages were almost thrilling they were so vibrant with a candid writer’s voice. 

Go Fourth.

LAST WEEK WHEN I WALKED TWO EASY BLOCKS TO VOTE, I had over my arm a nylon bag that I’d be using, after I voted, at the bodega to get the three pieces of fruit I get every day and maybe a corn muffin which is easier than other sweets to bullshit yourself is good for you. On my way to voting I passed Molly’s the tavern that used to be my local. On the way to the bodega I passed THINK the wonderful coffee shop that had just re-opened. I could name other significant things to my daily life here in the neighborhood. But I just named these few to show the neighborhood feel that surrounds you in this walker’s city. I hope people don’t flee.

A piece into today’s Times about the importance of a newspaper: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/opinion/tennessean-newspaper.html?referringSource=articleShare