Voting–who needs it?

by | Sep 25, 2008 | Ten Gallon Liberal

Republicans have focused on "voter fraud," an individual crime which seems to be quite rare. But how about large-scale, systemic prevention of voting? This seems to sometimes be an equal-opportunity vote preventer, and other times to be lopsided against new...
This Show's for Dummies

This Show's for Dummies

by | Sep 25, 2008 | Stage

Until the 16th century, ventriloquism (called gastromancy by the ancient Greeks) was closely associated with necromancy: the art of "throwing" one's voice so that it appeared to be coming from another location was often used to make people believe they...

Imperium Watch: Pistol-Packin' Palin

by | Sep 25, 2008 | News

Sarah Palin was irresistible as a speaker at the Republican National Convention. Her lustrous eyes, glamorous smile and beautiful cadences had unmistakable star quality. Her delivery projected spontaneity and sincerity. But that event, contrary to appearances, was a...

Born Again

by | Sep 25, 2008 | News

As a news organization, the Valley Advocate is rarely nostalgic, rarely sentimental.Sure, we look back at the history of things all the time; one of the advantages of publishing just once a week is that we have the time to research topics deeply, seeking as much...
A Lucky 13

A Lucky 13

by | Sep 25, 2008 | Music

When I first came to the Valley as a UMass English MFA student in the mid-'90s, I was fresh off a four-year stint in a Pogues-like Irish band in Texas. I wasn't a virtuosic player, but I was an enthusiastic flailer who got by on having good rhythm. My old band...