Mary Keyes Rogers | Author

Where's the Party?

Feb. 10, 2024

I thought I knew myself. I like my sandwiches cut on the diagonal. I am uncomfortable being jostled in a crowd. And, when given the option, I opt for blue cheese dressing on my iceberg wedge. This is who I am. I’m also a Democrat. Maybe.

I’m a Democrat who votes for a ... Read More >>

The Common Good in 2023

Nov. 4, 2023

The news cycle is spinning so fast that I hardly know where to aim my opinion! Bartender, I’ll take an auto worker strike with a splash of capitalism and a twist of The Common Good, please.

First, let me say it’s about time that the auto industry returned to the practi... Read More >>

Cohabitation vs. the Loneliness of Liberty

Sept. 2, 2023

For all our differences, as a nation of over 300 million people, we all believe in one thing: personal freedom. Americans expect nearly unlimited liberty to be left alone to do as they want with as little intervention as possible. We can take care of ourselves without assistance; we shoul... Read More >>

When Traverse City Lost Her Vibe

July 1, 2023

Happy summer vacation to all of our returning visitors! We’ve missed you—glad you’re back!

Before I moved here permanently in the ’90s, I remember being so excited to get Up North to the fresh air, get my toes in the sand, eat breakfast in a fabulous cheap ... Read More >>

Hooray for a Bipartisan, Good Government Ballot Proposal

Oct. 29, 2022

I urge you to vote YES on Proposal 1.

Which one is that? Somewhere in the bowels of Lansing, it is titled: Limits for State Legislators and Financial Disclosure Reports of State Elected Officials. You will find it as the very first ballot proposal on your ballot labeled PROPOSAL 1... Read More >>

A Clean Hoodie for the Queen

Sept. 17, 2022

I am more of a British history buff than a modern-day royals watcher and consider the reign of Queen Elizabeth II to be of great historic significance. You will find me following the related series of events with a bowl of popcorn in one hand and a well-pressed handkerchief in the other.<... Read More >>

Will Wokeness Kill the Party?

July 23, 2022

Regardless of your political persuasion, you’ve gotta hand it to the Democrats for how well they’ve presented the Jan. 6 hearings. Every “i” has been dotted and each “t” has been crossed, emotions kept in check, timetables explained, and unbiased witnes... Read More >>

Is It Unpatriotic to Feel Hopeless?

June 11, 2022

I’ve written in this space for more than six years, sharing my love for this country, its constitution, and the bold vision of our founding fathers. Today, I join the voices worldwide and in our own northern Michigan communities in asking the resounding and confounding question, &ld... Read More >>

A Fine Lesson in Do-goodery

Nov. 13, 2021

Those gathered at the recent memorial service for American statesman Colin Powell were reminded of his commitment to kindness in both his leadership and daily life. “Don’t just show kindness in passing or to be courteous,” Powell once said. “Show it in depth, ... Read More >>

Alcohol 101

Sept. 18, 2021

Sometimes, in the interest of good parenting, I have broken the law.

Ask any drivers ed instructor how many times they're accompanying a kid who's getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time ever. Next to none would be the answer.

Moms and dads find a quiet ... Read More >>

Apologizing in Advance, Just in Case

July 24, 2021

Even in casual conversations, I find myself, and I bet you do too, presenting a cautiously crafted preamble meant to apologize in advance for anything that I might say in the next few sentences, which, although unintentional, might be considered insensitive to a microscopic slice of the p... Read More >>

The Sharpened Edge of Privilege

May 29, 2021

One of the greatest speeches of all time was delivered at the 1976 Democratic Convention by keynote speaker, Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman to serve as a senator from Texas. Her address to delegates, the first-ever keynote at a political convention to be delivered by a black woman,... Read More >>

The Surprising Magnitude of Trust

April 3, 2021

It’s here! It’s here! The 2021 World Happiness Report is here! Maybe you missed the big news?

I understand. When you are trying to stay alive, happiness becomes a low priority. Happy? Who’s happy? I’m happy to have toilet paper and a ham in my freezer.

Peekaboo, America

Jan. 30, 2021

As infants, we take delight in playing the timeless game of peekaboo.

Mommy or Daddy’s happy, loving, and reassuring face momentarily disappears, only to return with a loving smile and a happy face when we uncover our eyes. This is more than just fun and folly. In play... Read More >>

Grand Gestures, Signaling Nothing

Dec. 19, 2020

Who doesn’t like a fresh start?

We set off for new horizons with grand gestures, like a newly committed dieter tossing all the junk food from the pantry into the trash or spending an outrageous amount of money on exercise equipment. Big, bold moves.

Thoughts of... Read More >>

Greetings From the Planet Surrender

Oct. 31, 2020

As I write this, the 2020 election is more than a week away, which lends mystery to the state of our country as you join me here in these words on this page.

Would you agree that the predictability of election outcomes life feels like a long-lost friend? Far beyond weighing the od... Read More >>

You’ll be Needed When Things Go Sideways

Aug. 29, 2020

Earlier this month, in Traverse City, the scene was set for a perfect demonstration of our failed national response to the mental health crisis. Similar situations take place every day in cities and towns across the country. On Aug. 10, it was just our turn, in a house on Eighth Street.Read More >>

Could our Independence be Problematic?

June 27, 2020

Independence Day, our nation’s birthday party, is almost upon us. This year, it appears that our party balloons are deflated a bit, someone has pawed an early taste of frosting off the cake, and the pretty little candles stand a bit askew. Many party guests are behaving as exha... Read More >>

Ageism in action: From “OK, Kiddo” to “OK, Boomer”

Nov. 30, 2019

Ageism is not attractive coming off the tongues of those demanding I become “woke.” This Baby Boomer would like to state the obvious, that ageism is no different than racism, sexism or any of the other discriminatory “-isms.” To know my age tells you nothing about ... Read More >>

Please Don’t Make Me Almost Kill You

Oct. 5, 2019

I wish I could tell you that on the many occasions when I’ve said, “Oh my God, I almost just killed that person,” that it was simply a figure of speech. But in fact, I do almost kill people on a fairly regular basis. Maybe I almost killed you.

Countless ... Read More >>