Future people think they’re so special because they know stuff I don’t

Jobs, Journalism, Justice

Dr. Wes is the Real Change Circulation Specialist, but, in addition to his skills with a spreadsheet, he writes this weekly column about whatever recent going-ons caught his attention. Dr. Wes has contributed to the paper since 1994. Curious about his process or have a response to one of his columns? Connect with him at [email protected].

Articles by Dr. Wes Browning

You never know what you’ll find out when you get an adult talking

By Dr. Wes Browning | January 6, 2021

It’s New Year’s Eve as I write this. I was thinking I’d list some New Year’s resolutions, but midnight is still hours away. So, for now, I’m more in the mood to look back. Way back.

One of the aspects of my life that has given me the most satisfaction has been the fact that I’ve been able to carry on reasonably amiable conversations with a huge range of people from all walks of life. The range is so huge that when I share this fact in detail, a lot of people get horrified. ...

Trump’s Space Force beware. Cthulhu hates Renaissance architecture

By Dr. Wes Browning | December 30, 2020

We got the tunnel replacement for the viaduct because West Seattle and Ballard wanted to drive back and forth between each other. Now West Seattle wants aerial cable cars to get to and from the International District. Since I live in the International District, I’m naturally concerned. Where will all the West Seattleites go when they debark? Please let it not be any of my favorite restaurants. I’m looking at wait times for tables when the pandemic settles down. ...

If you’re going to bet on outcomes that really matter to you, learn the concept “hedge”

By Dr. Wes Browning | December 23, 2020

I didn’t think I’d be able to say this by now, with the pandemic and the ongoing post-election drama, but I’m starting to feel safe enough: Merry Christmas, and goodbye Bill Barr. ...

Why do we even have mayors, anyway? We don’t want them to do nothing and we don’t want them to do what they do

By Dr. Wes Browning | December 16, 2020

Back at the end of September, I predicted that if the outcome of the election was such that the Supreme Court was called on to weigh in, they wouldn’t intervene. They’d leave it to the states. I implied there might be two justices who’d back a coup for Trump, but the other seven had no interest in such things. Well, then Amy Coney Barrett got on the court, so maybe three justices would do something crazy. But in the first draft of this column last week, I correctly guessed that the court would shut down the Texas lawsuit. ...

No ‘Welcome Back, Kotter,’ either

By Dr. Wes Browning | December 9, 2020

We want our second stimulus check. Now former Democratic U.S. congressperson and early 2020 presidential candidate John Delaney has an idea to get us all $1,500 in stimulus money, provided we get one of the new COVID-19 vaccines. He thinks Congress might approve stimulus checks sooner if it gets people vaccinated sooner. ...

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark...

By Dr. Wes Browning | December 2, 2020

As soon as I saw the headline “Thousands of mink culled over COVID fears rise from a mass grave in Denmark,” I thought it stands to reason 2020 would end with a Zombie Mink Apocalypse. How could this awful year get any worse? Zombie minks. ...

US democracy is hanging by a thread

By Dr. Wes Browning | November 25, 2020

What are the Republican Michigan legislators who agreed to talk to President Trump about their state’s certification of the election thinking? What’s the point of talking with him about it except to see what he can offer them in exchange for meddling with the electoral process? ...

Tough guys never give up. That’s what makes them cute

By Dr. Wes Browning | November 18, 2020

I’m writing this from last Friday the Thirteenth. Unlike most people, I like Friday 13thses because I’ve always had good times during them. Ever since I flew a red-eye flight across the country on a Friday 13th and asked specifically for a 13th-row seat and had the whole row to myself, I have known that other people’s superstitions can work in my favor. ...

Nevada could borrow a cell phone from a neighbor

By Dr. Wes Browning | November 12, 2020

This hasn’t been a very funny week. The funniest thing all week has been the ongoing call from Trump, echoed by his supporters, to stop the vote counting in precisely those states where Biden is currently ahead in the count. This is going to help Trump how? It’s a good joke, but the delivery has been too long. ...