My name is Bill Becker and I am in my early 60s. I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian, but generally eat dairy only at restaurants.

This site is named in honor of Ivan Karamazov, my alter ego. To get an idea of what that means, you must read two chapters in The Brothers Karamazov: Mutiny (or Rebellion, depending on the translation), followed immediately by The Grand Inquisitor.

Sadly, perhaps, it will take some patience for the reader to digest my material.  I am not prone to the "word bite."  Some of my postings may be material I created years ago, during my days as a liberal activst.  Such material will generally be letters-to-the editor; or privately distributed essays and media analyses.  Even so, the themes are timeless, and I present them in the hope that they may provide a new point-of-view; some previously unknown information; or a generally useful "take" on whatever issue I addressed at the time.

Below is a photo of me giving my U.S.-Army issue canteen (bought in a surplus store, and veteran of several high-Sierra backpacking trips) to a Sandinista Army sergeant.  This was my symbolic protest against my tax money going to buy the bullets used by the Reagan-sponsored thugs, a.k.a. contras, to kill the Nicaraguan people.  I have always hoped that the canteen brought hope and endurance to a Sandinista soldier defending his nation against a demented killing machine.  Yes, the photo was taken by the John Nichols.  Aside from being the author of The Sterile Cuckoo, The New Mexico Trilogy, etc.,  John is a tireless and inspiring advocate for social justice and human rights.