The February 2010  issue of CommonSense2 set a new record for the number of unique viewers, beating the record established just one month ago by the January 2010 issue. Clearly we are on the right track of trying to connect with readers who seek out viewpoints that come from the heart and not those that are poll driven prepackaged propaganda or talking points from one political organization or another. As editor I have staffed this magazine with writers who believe in what they present. You may not always agree with a point of view presented in our pages. But you can always rest assured that those views which are expressed are the genuine views of the writers. We pledge to continue to keep it real. Speaking for all who contribute to CS2, we appreciate your attention to our efforts every month. Thank You!

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Our feature story is something a little different this month. Rich Barrett is a young graphic artist working on his first graphic novel. Rich is posting each page of his novel as it is completed each week on his website. So far, he’s posted some thirty-eight pages and has built a nice suspenseful story of a young man named Nathan Sorry using the event of 9/11 as a way to escape his old life and enter into the life and wealth of another. The story explores the complications which are inherent in this. It’s a nice thriller in the “noir” tradition. We sat down with Rich to discuss his novel, his techniques and the world of the graphic novel.  Check out: Nathan Sorry in the Shadow of 9/11. I am particularly pleased with the cover illustration by Pat Brown which shows a combination of Rich and Nathan’s faces.  Pat continues to make us proud of our covers.

We have another piece of cultural criticism from Lynn M. Petrovich titled Amiss America.  Although I understand Lynn’s points and agree with them, like her husband I too still have a smile on my face from seeing that much Marisa Tomei naked. I do, however, believe that the stunning portrayal of the washed up wrestler by Mickey Rourke was an Oscar worthy performance. 

Many voters in the 17th Congressional District of Pennsylvania have long wished to send obstructionist Blue Dog Democrat Tim Holden on a one-way ticket out of town. The only thing that has prevented that is that the voters’ only other choice was an even more conservative Republican candidate. That may be about to change. We’d like to introduce you to Sheila Dow Ford. Ms. Ford is considering a run against Tim in the Democratic primary. We second that emotion.

In what is perhaps the most important and timely essay that CS2 has published in quite some time, Kutztown Area Democratic Club President Karen Feridun looks at the branding and messaging in the Democratic Party and finds it wanting. It’s Not All About Us is a must read.

After a hiatus that was too long for her fans, Kathleen Welch returns to the pages of CS2 with another unique off-beat essay in her Road Less Traveled series titled One Hell of a Worm.

After nine long years in the wilderness, stories that question the accuracy and integrity  of the official government findings about what happened on that fateful day, 9/11,  have begun to appear in mainstream papers. Dorothy Reilly brings you the latest one with 9/11 Questions Start To Seep Into the Mainstream Press. Dorothy also checks in with the latest Washington health care shenanigans in The Obama Healthcare Scam Continues.

Single-payer advocates Ron Stouffer and Rosie Skomitz report on some surprising news from the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee in A Perfect Storm.

Sylvia Baylor reports monthly on the actions, inactions and antics of the Pennsylvania State Legislature. This month she diverges from her usual format to give us her editorial opinion on what it all means. Chuck out: Pennsylvania’s Latent Rebellion (Pitchforks Not Included).

We have a few New Quotes To Ponder on a Rainy Afternoon.

Jack Lindeman returns with his brand of literary criticism in Thoughts From an Unquiet Mind IX.

Our Book Reviewer James Patrick is here with two entries this month. First we have Sexually, I’m More of a Switzerland edited by David Rose. James follows with Men in the Off Hours by Ann Carson.

For the latest news on Breezy check The Breezy Page. We will update it periodically during the month as Breezy news becomes available.

This issue has five superior poems:

The Cure by Jack Lindeman .

The Producers by Mark Soifer.

anonymous hero by F. Toscano

Budget Day in the Dauphin Room by Richard O’Connell

Letter From The Circus by Will Kiffer

We round out the issue with a few pieces of humor:

Those Glorious Insults

The Art of Curling

Image is Everything

Well, that’s it for this issue. Hope you enjoy it.

Primary season is coming. We’ll have reports in the April issue.

Until then keep on keepin’ on.

Charlie

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the promo with  for my debate with Bob Millar. It’s located just beneath the front cover.

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