John Zipperer
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jzipperer20.bsky.social
John Zipperer
@jzipperer20.bsky.social
52 followers 76 following 43 posts
Wisconsin-born, Chicago-based | Writer/editor | VP media & editorial @cwclub | Come for the politics, stay for the snark | Views are my own | www.weimar.ws
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jzipperer20.bsky.social
John Zipperer @jzipperer20.bsky.social · Jan 22
People who know me know I'm a lifelong follower of science fiction, & being a Gen Xer, that means I enjoyed reading a LOT of #Starlog throughout its life. I return the favor in my new book, vol. I of my Starlog Compendium, available in paperback & Kindle: a.co/d/cX2DCJD
Two books: Science Fiction by the Hour, and The Starlog Compendium
jzipperer20.bsky.social
First snow of the season in Chicago. Last night the first wave came through as "thundersnow." And this morning the second wave started falling; it's now coming down pretty heavily.
Temps will hit nearly 60 this weekend, so the snow won't stick around. But it's great while it lasts.
November 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
From ICE to #Prop50 to the government shutdown to National Guards & beyond, join us Oct 15 in San Francisco for a lively political roundtable & social hour.

Panelists: Tim Anaya, @cmarinucci.bsky.social & @sovernnation.bsky.social

Details & tickets: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2025-...
October 8, 2025 at 5:12 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
Florida man creates polio renaissance.

apnews.com/article/flor...
Florida plans to become first state to eliminate all childhood vaccine mandates
State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who announced the decision, cast current requirements in schools and elsewhere as “immoral” intrusions.
apnews.com
September 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
Need someplace to be, people to meet, things to learn this month? Join us at @cwclub.bsky.social for our in-depth talks, discussions & more.

Details/tickets: commonwealthclub.org/events
September 1, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
This week at @cwclub.bsky.social, learn about preventing gun violence, get insight into the state of politics, see great architecture, and hear about a tireless liberty advocate.

Details & tickets: commonwealthclub.org/events

@davidhogg.bsky.social @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov @ztameez.bsky.social
August 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
Don't miss great speakers, important topics, and good community at @cwclub.bsky.social this month in downtown San Francisco.

Details & tickets: commonwealthclub.org/events

@davidhogg.bsky.social @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov @ztameez.bsky.social @deantak.bsky.social
August 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
BBB? Can Newsom gerrymander California? And what to make of this Epstein mess? Watch last night's Week to Week political roundtable with political experts @joshkoehn.bsky.social, Tim Anaya & @cmarinucci.bsky.social

Watch now: youtu.be/ngiI1tDoI_c?...
Midsummer Political Roundtable: A Week to Week Special
YouTube video by Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California
youtu.be
July 19, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
NEXT WEEK! Enjoy a reception followed by our panelists @joshkoehn.bsky.social @cmarinucci.bsky.social & Tim Anaya talking about BBB, California, and so much more.

July 17 in downtown San Francisco. Details & tickets: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2025-...
July 8, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
This July come to @cwclub.bsky.social—hear from & meet fascinating people.

@gilduran.com
@mirandaspivack.bsky.social
@samkbloch.bsky.social
@valinasr.bsky.social
@dekai.bsky.social
@christinahillsberg.bsky.social
@terryshames.bsky.social
& more!

commonwealthclub.org/events
June 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
Pleasant afternoon at Rate Field watching the White Sox notch a win.
June 25, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
Tonight at @cwclub.bsky.social:
• 5:30 PM PDT IN SAN FRANCISCO / Discussion on Cuts to U.S. Foreign Aid—and the Future of Foreign Aid
• 6 PM PDT ONLINE / The 94th Annual California Book Awards Honors Outstanding Books by California Authors

Details & tickets: commonwealthclub.org/events
June 23, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
Our speakers & programs for next week—get insight into USAID cuts, troops in LA, human rights, & the character necessary to lead. Hear from Tim Flannery & the Lunatic Fringe, Stanley McChrystal, Dr. Michael Baker, @shannonrwatts.bsky.social, David Chiu & more!

Details & tickets: lnkd.in/gb9JiePh
June 20, 2025 at 3:25 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
It’s the thoughts that count, part 2; my latest thoughts on California Democrats being out of touch. In @TheVOSF

thevoicesf.org/its-the-thou...
It’s the thoughts that count, part 2 - The Voice of San Francisco
The problem with American politics (and, to a great extent, politics in many countries around the world today) can be summed up in an old line from Yeats: “… the centre cannot hold.” In California, fe...
thevoicesf.org
June 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
LA & the National Guard? Gov. Newsom's performance? Oakland's budget? Panelists @danborenstein.bsky.social
Melissa Caen & Bob Gardner explore that and more in our latest politics roundtable.

Watch now: youtu.be/UEBXMxTdFdo?...
Week to Week Politics Roundtable: June 11, 2025
YouTube video by Commonwealth Club World Affairs (CCWA)
youtu.be
June 12, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
Join us this week to learn about the ultrarich, immigration and the law, political hot issues, and Trump vs. the courts.

Details and tickets: commonwealthclub.org/events
June 8, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by John Zipperer
cwclub.bsky.social
IN 1 WEEK! Catch our expert panel Bob Gardner, Melissa Caen & @danborenstein.bsky.social make sense of the latest political news and developments. They're all on our next Week to Week political roundtable, June 11, 6 p.m.

Details & tickets: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2025-...
June 4, 2025 at 7:58 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
May 31, 2025 at 10:49 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
Argh. As someone who grew up on (and still enjoys) M*A*S*H, this saddens me. I mean, 87 is a nice long life, but you kind of hope some people just go on forever. R.I.P.

www.nbcnews.com/news/obituar...
Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning 'M*A*S*H' actress, dies at 87
Swit's representative said in a statement her death was likely from natural causes.
www.nbcnews.com
May 30, 2025 at 7:23 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
I like streets with a canopy of green leaves.
May 30, 2025 at 6:48 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
Last night saw @thebulwark.com live at Chicago's Athenaeum. Sorry for the grainy pix, but it was fun to see @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social @jvl.bsky.social & @timmiller.bsky.social + @adamkinzinger.bsky.social before a sold-out (& quite raucous) crowd of 800. (A man near me had flown in from Ohio.)
May 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
From Harry A. Franck's 1928 travel book "The Fringe of the Moslem World." About half of it focuses on his time in Turkey, which was going through a very bloody transformation after having lost its empire in World War I. Here he talks about the "sheep-minded masses" in thrall to Turkey's strongman.
May 26, 2025 at 12:06 AM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
Some quick pix from beautiful downtown Chicago today.
May 10, 2025 at 11:34 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
Park bulding along the lake.
May 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
The pretty trees are showing off on Broadway.
Trees in bloom on Broadway in Chicago.
April 25, 2025 at 10:36 PM
jzipperer20.bsky.social
California's ongoing home insurance crisis; my latest from @thevoicesf.bsky.social

thevoicesf.org/housing-brie...
Housing briefs: Insurance blues - The Voice of San Francisco
Last June, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said that despite rising rates due to climate change, California’s home insurance rates “have been below the national average and significantly less than some oth...
thevoicesf.org
April 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM