The good news: Jon Carroll is back from his longest vacation, like, ever. He went to Mexico this time, and we are all better for it.

The bad news: For the next year or so, I will be writing three columns a week rather than five. I do not want to cut back, nor do my editors want me to cut back, but bureaucratic exigencies have prevailed. This temporary curtailment has nothing to do with either with my political opinions or my health. Please set your paranoia meters to zero.

Damn.