The miracle of Notre Dame, the tragedy of the Great Barrier Reef, and what human hands do in between.

"A Miracle: Notre-Dame’s Astonishing Rebirth From the Ashes," by Michael Kimmelman.

Since Sen. Cory Booker's record-breaking speech in the Senate a few weeks ago, we’ve witnessed a series of actions all centered around a different but just as fundamental part of the job of a member of Congress; one that usually happens far away from Washington.

Birtherism is back. As usual, it has little basis in law, reality, or common sense.

You can check out the written version of this podcast at youarehere.substack.com.

A quintessential American poem to defy the sickening signs from the Republican National Convention.

"The New Colossus", by Emma Lazarus:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

The first presidential debate laid bare the limits of age, and Congress is older than ever. Should candidates face age limits?

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An essay about the Rhode Island neighborhood Taylor Swift and I both love.