Mike Pilewski writes about life, politics and culture in the United States
Recent news events have made clear just how easy it is for America — or shadowy, undemocratic entities that claim to act in its interest — to panic. This emotion isn’t just the product of 9/11, however. It was always there: fear that the Native Americans would attack; fear that the slaves would revolt; fear of crop failures and bank … >>
It was around 7 p.m. on October 11, 1973, when shipyard workers Charles Hickson, 42, and Calvin Parker, 19, were fishing in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The fish weren’t biting, so the two men moved upriver from their usual spot to an abandoned dock. After a while, they noticed a hissing sound and flashing blue lights behind them, and turned around to … >>
Strange things happen late at night — so strange, in fact, that one incident from 50 years ago still can’t be explained. On the evening of September 19, 1961, Barney and Betty Hill were driving home from a vacation in Canada. It was a clear, starry night, and as they followed Route 3 through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, … >>
Where were you the day the aliens arrived? If you watch the TV series V, which starts this Monday night on Pro7, you’ll have the answer. The aliens in the series cordially call themselves the Visitors. They cure disease and give teenagers rides in their space shuttle. They ask only for some water and minerals to take home with them. … >>