Trouble Times

It's early April and we suddenly have an extra hour of light in the evening. This is traditionally the perfect opportunity for riots, uprisings, spring offensives, declarations of war, and invasions.

Spring 2006 has the same volatile energy as momentous past years. I don't mean that it could be a repeat of 1968 or 1848, but who knows?

What are people protesting out in the streets these days? Well, around brutal Detroit, there are always anti-war demonstrations, and lately more protests involving jobs or job cuts and immigration policies. There are similar kinds of street actions going on in Paris and around the world. Muslim areas are especially stirred up, of course, and things in Iraq and Afghanistan (not to mention Palestine) are teetering close to the edge. The situation is also bad in Belarus, with thick columns of black-clad riot troops securing the main streets. Let's not forget environmental and animal rights protests, either. With bird flu, Mad Cow, and mercury poisoning making their rounds though the global food chain, these are as serious issues as war and peace, actually more so.

But hey, baseball season is around the corner and dandelions will grow again even in Detroit.

Within days, people will be fishing again in the Detroit River, grilling slabs of meat in rusty oil drums, and wolfing down "city chicken." Bon appétit.

Birthdays today: Émile Zola (1840-1902), Marvin Gaye (1939-1984), Camille Paglia (1947-).

Happy birthday! Zola and Marvin probably understood urban street dynamics as well as anybody. But Marvin was a much better singer, I suspect. Furthermore, he was attuned to the messy global vibe thirty years ago. That's the beauty of Detroit -- clarity.

50th Anniversary: As the World Turns and The Edge of Night.

Last year on this very day, John Paul II died (1920-2005). May he rest in peace.

Peace be with you.