Mark Cohen


Latest Articles:

Diversions: Popo and the prowler

Mark Cohen, Peak to Peak. This is a true story, and it revolves around TaB cola, a diet soft drink popular in the sixties and seventies. Most people don’t know it, but the Coca-Cola company continued to manufacture TaB until 2020. But in recent decades it was only available in certain parts of America. Kind of like how things were... READ MORE >

Diversions: A story about assumptions

Mark Cohen, Peak to Peak. It was about twelve years ago, I guess. Some buddies and I had rented a bunkhouse on the Niobrara River near the Nebraska / South Dakota border. Portions of the Niobrara are part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. Floating the river on giant inner tubes is a wonderful way to spend a... READ MORE >

Diversions: Sheriff’s Report: April 26, 2053

Reporting Deputy: Kim Jones. Deputies were dispatched early this morning to a remote location west of Left Hand Reservoir after hikers reported a dead body. After grabbing some donuts in Nederland, Deputy Smith and I arrived on scene at 0835 and observed a 1967 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser station wagon with a “F*&$%ck Trump” bumper sticker on it and expired plates.... READ MORE >

Diversions: The Post-Election Blues

Mark Cohen, Peak to Peak. I’ve got the post-election blues. But before I explain why, I just want to say, “I told you so.” The smartest thing the Democrats did in 2020 was nominate an old, white guy who was not from one of the so-called coastal liberal elitist states (New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California).  I told you... READ MORE >

9/11 Then and Now

Mark Cohen, Peak to Peak. Nineteen years ago, on September 11, 2001, I was the Municipal Judge presiding over the morning traffic docket in Boulder. One of the defendants was a Saudi Arabian student who was clearly delighted that the United States had finally gotten what was coming to it. When I called his case, he grinned and said something... READ MORE >

The Free Market and Leeches

Mark Cohen, J.D., LL.M., Nederland. The pure “free market” is an economic system based on supply and demand with no government regulation. The “free market hypothesis” is the assertion that the free market always produces the optimal allocation of resources.  Conservatives love the free market like a fat kid loves cake. The appeal is understandable. Our world is complex. We... READ MORE >

Diversions: Self-help books are making you worse

Mark Cohen, Nederland. I recently visited a bookstore to buy myself a birthday present. When I came through the door, I immediately encountered a large table with dozens of self-help books on it. The store’s management had strategically placed the table in a location that would force customers to walk around it. My first thought was that there sure are... READ MORE >

Eighty-three percent is still pretty good

Mark Cohen, Peak to Peak. As a boy, I participated in Boy Scouts, and I enjoyed it. Our Scoutmaster, Ken Salo, had served in the Air Force in Vietnam and ran our troop like a military organization. But, damn, I had fun and learned tons. Warm weather months always included a backpacking trip. I learned first aid, Morse Code, knots... READ MORE >

Diversions: Trump Renames Forest Service Mascot

Mark Cohen, Peak to Peak.  On Monday December 10, 2018, President Trump declared, “There is no Smokey the Bear.” In a tweet, Trump wrote, “For too long Democrats have insisted on the name ‘Smokey’ to appeal to minority voters. It’s time our Forest Service had a mascot with a color-neutral name. Henceforth, the Forest Service mascot shall be known as Smockey the... READ MORE >

Diversions : Taxation is Theft, and You is an Idiot

Mark Cohen, Nederland.  A popular libertarian slogan is “taxation is theft.” This may be one of the dumbest statements ever made.   The way language works is that we use different words to denote different things. We have one word for “cat” and another for “white.” Because cat and white are two different concepts. This convention – using different words... READ MORE >