Middling.Industries

‘I wasn’t really an activist – I just learned a lot.’

January 12, 2019January 26, 2019

Embed from Getty Images Far, far in the back, there's Lou Fourcher. Last month my father, Lou Fourcher, passed away after a fourteen-year struggle with Alzheimer’s. Since then, our family...

Personal

Finding The Mindset For Major Personal Change

December 31, 2018December 19, 2024

I recently interviewed three friends who’ve made major life changes to learn why and how they did them.

Personal

The Great And Good Things Dad Did For Me

December 22, 2018December 23, 2018

Lou Fourcher was far from perfect, no man could ever be. But as his only child, I was showered with love, encouragement and wisdom like no other.

Uncategorized

Happy After Thanksgiving

December 1, 2018

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h23VQTSJBg[/embedyt]

Personal

We’re All Part of The Team

November 23, 2018November 23, 2018

I was part of a team today. This afternoon I went for my regular swim at the local park district pool. Loaded down with Thanksgiving food, it was harder than...

Cities

After A Visit To New York, Some Reflections On American Cities

November 19, 2018November 19, 2018

[caption id="attachment_295" align="aligncenter" width="533"] Second Ave. and 60th St in New York City, taken by me from the Roosevelt Island Tram, which floats above the street.[/caption] I visited New York...

American Politics

Gov.-Elect Pritzker, Let’s Heal Illinois’ Cultural Rift

November 10, 2018November 10, 2018

Embed from Getty Images Dear Governor-Elect J.B. Pritzker, I write to you with serious concern about our divided state. While Democrats have won a tremendous victory in Illinois, winning not...

News Media

My News Diet

November 5, 2018

[caption id="attachment_280" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Fallow newspaper boxes in downtown Chicago, January 2012. Credit: Dan X. O'Neil.[/caption] Because I work in politics, friends often assume I like to talk about the...

American Politics

A Letter To My Conservative Friends

November 2, 2018

Dear Conservative Friend, I have admired many conservatives. George Will, Jack Kemp, Bill Kristol, William Safire, and Peggy Noonan among them. Their thinking was strong and robust enough that it...