By Jim Heffernan I think it was the words “safety net” in the title that drew me this to book. I’ve long felt that the deterioration in our society could have been…
Category: I’ve been thinking
CIVIC SATURDAYS: Sermon #1 – Join Local Community Members Civic Saturdays on Zoom
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Pioneer’s prolific book reviewer and “I’ve been thinking” columnist Jim Heffernan was inspired by Eric Liu’s “Become America” and Liu’s series of “Civic Sermons” that he gave following the…
I’ve been thinking … “Civic Religion” – Join Me for Civic Saturdays, starting Sat. Jan. 4th on Zoom
EDITOR’S NOTE: There’s been lots of talk about the lack of “civics education” that a lot of people don’t even really know how our government structures operate and serve us, or how…
BOOK REVIEWS: Jim Heffernan’s Top 20 (22) Books for 2024
By Jim Heffernan I take it as point of pride that I’m promiscuous. Not that way. I’m very proud of 58 years as a faithful husband, but I am promiscuous for books. …
I’ve been thinking … Working Families Party & Civics Sermons in 2025
By Jim Heffernan I’ve been thinking a lot about the Working Families Party and what it represents. My historic affiliation is to the Democratic Party and will remain so. But it’s plain…
BOOK REVIEW: Mental Immunity – Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think by Andy Norman,
By Jim Heffernan Our country is being torn apart by opposing ideas that sit upon uncertain foundations of fact and logic. Our collective consciousness is infected. I always have to wonder if…
BOOK REVIEW: Become America by Eric Liu
By Jim Heffernan This book is a collection of 19 “Civic Saturday” sermons given by Eric Liu in Seattle between November 12, 2016 and August 4, 2018. Like it says on the…
Heard on the Bench: DMV Conversations …
By Jim Heffernan Today’s episode happened at the Motor Vehicle Department. There were four us waiting our turn — two men and two women. I started out with the man and opened…
BOOK REVIEW: Yes, Chef – A Memoir – Marcus Samuelsson
By Jim Heffernan I was attracted to this 12 year old book by watching the PBS series, “No Passport Required”. My wife and I enjoy “food porn” cooking shows and his show…
I’ve been thinking … I’m Mad as Hell!
By Jim Heffernan I’ve always thought of myself as “too cool” to ever feel kinship with Howard Beale in the iconic 1976 movie, “Network” but I’m there today. This last presidential election…
