What if a single word could bury truth, silence history, or even rewrite memory? In my latest piece for SUR in English, I uncover how the Spanish political class is quietly weaponizing words — turning metaphors into tools of power and denial. From “fosas” (mass graves) to “concord” laws, the fight over language isn’t just…
War on Christmas concentration camp It’s the big loooong weekend here in Spain, the equivalent of their Thanksgiving travelwise, and even though the season started a long time ago, it seems like Christmas is in the air. Company parties are out in full force and the streets are filled with holiday shoppers (if you’re looking…
I’ve been writing for the Spanish newspaper HOY for almost 15 years now, but my pieces have always been in, surprise surprise, Spanish. It took a tragedy in Valencia and a chance look at a tranlated piece by my colleague J.R Alonso de la Torre to put the pieces together. Today, I try out my…
An unforeseen health scare and stay in the hospital in today’s Camino a Ítaca. Public healthcare systems around the world are under attack and without extreme vigilence, many countries could soon wind up like the United States. All’s it takes is a vote in the right direction. Click over to read originally published version in…
In this week’s Camino a Ítaca we divert our gaze away from Spain to across the Atlantic to matters that will have global implications. The irony of it all supercedes anything writers can produce. Click over to read the originally published version in Spanish in the HOY or read the English translation below. (PDF en…
In this week’s Camino a Ítaca I take a look at how extreme religious belief can warp the way believers perceive events like climate change. Click over to read the originally published piece in Spanish in el HOY or read the English translation below. (PDF en castellano abajo) We’ve been spared. The summer of horrors…
This week’s Camino a Ítaca falls on Election Silence day, the blackout period when parties can no longer campaign before tomorrow’s elections here in Spain. Autonomous communities and towns are up for grabs on Sunday and a particular sign on the street caused me to think. Click over to read the original version published in…
It’s election season here in Spain, with most of the country’s autonomous regions, cities and town up for grabs. The region newspaper I contribute to asked me for my view on the upcoming elections. Rather than examine the promises that are never kept, I looked at the hegemony of the party system here in Spain…
In this week’s Camino de Ítaca a different look at the upcoming regional and municipal elections here in Spain. A long term emmigrant’s perspective on voting here in Extremadura. Click over to read the original article publishhed in el HOY in Spanish or read the English version below. (PDF en castellano abajo) Democracy exists somewhat…
Brioche cake In this week’s Camino a Ítaca, a cursory look at the Spanish government’s reaction to the ongoing inflation crisis that is sweeping across the world. Click over to read the original article in el HOY in Spanish or read the English translation below. (PDF abajo) It’s finally over. The marathon with seemingly no…