Charles van Heck's Woodhull Journal

Charles van Heck

  • The Whispers Grow Louder: Democracy at a Tipping Point

    We have been hearing whispers coming from the White House about invoking the Insurrection Act over the past eight months. Regretfully, the whispers have grown louder. Joseph Nunn of the Brennan Center for Justice has written an informative article explaining… Continue reading

  • Living in the Virtual World

    Early one morning, I took a virtual stroll (more accurately, scroll) through the village of Richburg, New York. An article in The Wellsville Sun about a house on the market precipitated my walk. I decided to stop by the cemetery… Continue reading

  • It’s Time to Retire the Donkey

    Senators, Congressional representatives, and governors are known to stare in a mirror. “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the most qualified of all?”  in the hope of finding a president looking back at them. They are an ambitious lot. A… Continue reading

  • Sounding the Shofar: How Then Shall We Live?

    The other morning, I found a note in my mailbox from a dear friend. The subject raised for discussion pertained to confession and absolution. This is a timely message as we are in the period of the High Holy Days… Continue reading

  • When Revenge Isn’t Enough

    Words are often used with little thought to their meaning. Finding the right word to describe someone or something requires observation and thought. The context of what we are witnessing and how we intend to convey the observation, and to… Continue reading

  • The French Alps, Faith, Forgiveness, Hate, and Carl Sandburg

    On Sunday, following dinner, I settled in the living room. My wife and I were undecided whether to watch a film or a television show. We recently became hooked on a French detective program, “Le détective de la montagne” (The… Continue reading

  • Cabals: How Things Work

    This past Friday morning, Verdict: Legal Analysis and Commentary From Justia arrived in my mailbox. I subscribe to it for insights into the workings of the judiciary. The article I delved into was by Marci A. Hamilton titled “Déjà, the… Continue reading

  • Do Apples Get a Bum Rap?

    And now the autumn season waits, In mellowing forms of fruitage.  – Stephen Henry Thayer (1839-1919) Autumn for me is a time of renewal. A time to reflect. This season, with all its radiance, is a period when nature reminds me… Continue reading

  • Thoreau’s Straw Hat and Deliberate Living

    Hats are both a fashion statement and an expression of identity. Women of the British elite are known for their hats. Appearing hatless at the Kentucky Derby is taboo for American women—fashion matters. A hat is a persona, revealing either… Continue reading

  • When Grief Becomes Rage

    Going to the White House was always a big deal for Daniel Patrick Moynihan.  He was 36 years old when he was working for the Kennedy Administration as the Assistant Secretary of Labor. On the afternoon of 22 November 1963,… Continue reading