It never fails.
The columns that interest me the most attract the scarcest attention.
It’s a common gripe for writers. Kill yourself for weeks, months, years, or even decades on a piece, and the public yawns. Slap something together in half an hour, and the crowd goes wild!
So “nuts” to y’all. Here are my favorite columns of 2023 — none of which produced top-tier readership metrics.
Enjoy — and Happy New Year!
10. No Judgments Please, We’re Americans
Utah may not be perfect — I doubt my perspective on claims of the supernatural is welcome there — but it’s America’s last bastion of the success sequence. Anyone who cares about “poverty” and “inequality” and “the children” who is not studying how to bring Utah values/behaviors to the entire nation is a grotesque charlatan.
9. Where America Finds Common Ground
Drafted this piece for my employer at the time. Not long after, I learned that my employer, which I planned to dedicate the rest of my days to improving and expanding, was vaporware. Oh, well. At least I got a column out of what was far and away the worst professional debacle of my life.
8. Corporate Welfare’s Power Surge
Even though RealClearEnergy cross-posted this one, it didn’t make the most-read list — but it should have.
The Lockdown wrecked employment everywhere, but some states rebounded faster — much faster — than others.
6. The Mission Creep of Oppie’s Heirs
The condition of the nation’s nuclear security enterprise — the infrastructure, the warheads, and the delivery systems — is deeply disturbing.
5. McMahon Derangement Syndrome
I grew up with “the Hulkster,” Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. And in 2010, I was on the payroll for Linda McMahon’s noble attempt to keep Richard Blumenthal out of the U.S. Senate. But this biography, penned by a Soy Boy — or Soy Girl, it’s not entirely clear — is a hot mess.
This one was enormously fun. Take the fear of a hysterical “science” reporter, and compare it to observable reality. Hilarity ensues.
Given the choice between bombs-away “conservatives” born decades after World War II, and the guys in charge at the time, I side with the latter.
2. Pain at the Pump? NOPEC to the Rescue!
Is D. Dowd Muska the best energy analyst in America? Okay, maybe not — but he’s among the best.
Why this manifestation of utter brilliance didn’t garner tens of millions of clicks, all throughout the English-speaking world, mystifies me.
Have you taken the test yet?
I decreased my contribution to the southwest ppi because of how they treated you.
Good choices for your top 10. I missed a couple of them since I took so many trips since last Spring. I did reread most of them today. It's a shame so many people ignore the basic premises that show success in Utah. I've read a few articles about the three basic actions that everyone can take to boost their prosperity. It's not rocket science. Thankfully both my children are employed and own their own townhouses although neither one is married yet or has children. There is still time.