Thacher Report

The cycle of racist violence never ends because the cycle of consequence never begins.

It’s hard to unspool the story of a journey when you don’t know where you’re going or how long it’ll take or if there’s enough gas to last until the next station.

Imagine running as hard and fast as you can. Doesn’t matter where you go, just away. Legs compels you forward. Your lungs burst in flame. Fear transforms to trajectory and then — finger snap! The road vanishes.

Kids pedaled bikes along dusty streets smeared with the buttercup glow of sunsets. There was no traffic. There were no stoplights. It was Jane Jacobs with a sun tan. 

A small town of gender-neutral farmers bike to work, dispense non-profit equal-access healthcare and help build each other’s houses. Is this a story dramatic enough for saving the world? Are we rugged enough like Republicans and communal enough like Democrats? 

To imagine Vermont in summertime, picture Montana’s Big Sky, listen to Janis Joplin, think of laidback yet conscientious Northern California, add in dairy farms, embrace the progressive politics of, well, Vermont and down a pint of New England style IPA.

You rest on blankets under a dark sky strained with starlight. Dinner is finished. The children sleep. Your tent is set up and arranged just the way you like it. Your pack animals have been fed and hobbled. You’re with the adults, you can see their faces by the light of fire.

Dating while Running from Covid - Summer 2020

As I wind down my crazy -- for me -- Covid adventure from fleeing Manhattan to living on a friend's farm to living in rural Vermont, I'm now back in NYC and finally settling down. I found a house to buy. I'm a first time buyer and a lot of people are in the way of a sale. So I ask myself, do I need a broker?  Read the post here: https://medium.com/thacher-report/how-to-buy-a-house-in-brooklyn-2a7857960a55

Is this the end of the Covid journey? I don't know, but it's the end of life on the road. 

Zachary's latest podcast from the Thacher Report, including a little freewheeling chat up front. 

My latest misadventure with home ownership.

A short story about loss and redemption, via a watch and a subway grate

Time for changes!

In this episode, our host returns after a hiatus with personal news about becoming a father. Following this, he explores significant shifts within the Democratic and Labour parties. Using a personal narrative interwoven with political analysis, he discusses his disappointment with the Democratic Party's trajectory and its focus on identity politics over broader economic concerns. Drawing parallels with Israel's Labor Party, he questions the future of these traditional political powerhouses in the face of contemporary challenges and missteps.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Thatcher Report, we dive into a critical analysis of the current political landscape, focusing on the perceived implosion of the Democratic Party. The episode examines the complexities of Jewish identity in the context of Israel's central role post-1948 and critiques the ongoing discourse around the two-state solution. Through a historical lens, parallels are drawn between the neoconservative ideology of the early 2000s and modern liberal perspectives. The discussion also highlights the disconnects in modern left-wing policies, questioning their relevance to contemporary socio-political challenges.

What is the left in 2025? 

In this episode of the Thacher Report, Zachary reflects critiques the current political landscape. He discusses the stagnation of the left since 1973, the significance of historical events, and the evolution of social movements. Thacher emphasizes the pressing challenges facing society, including public safety, infrastructure, and education, while advocating for a new political movement he refers to as 'the builders.' He calls for alternatives to the existing political parties and highlights the need for effective governance to address the issues at hand.

Are Palestinians capable of running a liberal, democratic government. Who believes in this?

Palestine isn't working, it's time for something new