This is the initial post on our site, an introduction, if you will, to give a little background, some insight and maybe some rules of the game.

For a long time, folks have asked me what I would have been if I had not chosen the professional field that I did – that of being an advocate, a voice and an activist for those who need a voice and a hand up. I replied that I probably would have gone in to journalism and worked for a newspaper.

Well, as it turns out, much of my work has included speaking out. As some of you may know, I can be found in the “Comments” section of numerous news outlets on various topics. This, then, is my way of formalizing those efforts and perhaps grabbing on to that “other life” I spoke about.

This site is designed to be an Op Ed page. Yes, OPINION and my opinion at that.

I expect this will be highly political as that is what I do. I also expect, though, to offer observations on other facets of everyday living, some sad, some humorous but all purposed to raise awareness, start a discussion or get those thinking caps out of the closet and maybe bring a laugh to your world now and then.

Now and then I will have a guest author and I will set up a way for comments, though I reserve the privilege, as moderator, of prior review.

As to the name, well, it’s complicated. Try as I might to get creative in the title, I found there are lots of creative folk out there in blog land. I even tried to use the phrase Opinion Page in Latin but someone  already registered that one too ! Then I was thinking about the old days and  a thought came to me. Where do people congregate to chat, discuss, argue and the like. The water cooler is one, though that’s more for gossip. Of course the kitchen is a mainstay of all discourse.  Taverns and Pubs are likewise a popular venue. But there is one place which is particular to me and to many and if you, the reader, are a SJCS Alumni, you will recognize not only the place but the memories as well.

So, off we go and let’s see where it takes us and, to paraphrase, we’ll see you in the trunk room !!!