Roach: In God We Trust
"They worship a Jesus who has a three-car garage and looks more like a Norwegian than a short Jewish guy."
"They worship a Jesus who has a three-car garage and looks more like a Norwegian than a short Jewish guy."
John Roach
Roach: Walk On
"I remember the day well. It was the moment I realized I had discovered a new sport."
"I remember the day well. It was the moment I realized I had discovered a new sport."
Roach: Toy Story
"There used to be five of us. Suddenly, there are 10 of us. In what seems like a nanosecond, our family has doubled in size."
"We, meaning my wife and I, are in an interesting phase. We raised three children and ushered them off to college. They are now working professionals. They have their own homes and lives."
Roach: Smoke and Mirrors
"Life experience has made me quick to recognize when the theater of authority is being employed, specifically titles and goofy costumes."
"Life experience has made me quick to recognize when the theater of authority is being employed, specifically titles and goofy costumes."
Roach: A Guy Named Tommy
Tommy’s energy and optimism stand in stark contrast to the politics of today.
Tommy’s energy and optimism stand in stark contrast to the politics of today.
Roach: Why I took a break from Facebook
If you scan the headlines, columns and links that abound online, the bad news clearly outweighs the good. By a lot.
If you scan the headlines, columns and links that abound online, the bad news clearly outweighs the good. By a lot.
Roach Op Ed: 'Isn’t it about time? The world has lost more than 5 million people.'
"Despite the efficacy of the vaccines, there are still millions of Americans who resolutely deny the science and refuse to get what they snidely call 'the jab.'"
Despite the efficacy of the vaccines, there are still millions of Americans who resolutely deny the science and refuse to get what they snidely call “the jab.”
Roach: Bright Eyes
The whole family was on edge as the day became evening, became night.
The whole family was on edge as the day became evening, became night.
Roach: One leg at a time
As we crawl out of the worst pandemic of our time toward something resembling herd immunity, it is worth contemplating the societal impact of COVID-19.
As we crawl out of the worst pandemic of our time toward something resembling herd immunity, it is worth contemplating the societal impact of COVID-19.
Roach: That great street
As this issue of the magazine celebrates 40 years of naming all that is best about our town, one asset has become the center of controversy — State Street.
As this issue of the magazine celebrates 40 years of naming all that is best about our town, one asset has become the center of controversy — State Street.
Roach: Jump Around
One thing will be missing this year. For the first time in three decades, Barry Alvarez won’t have a formal role on Madison Saturdays.
One thing will be missing this year. For the first time in three decades, Barry Alvarez won’t have a formal role on Madison Saturdays.
Roach: Cheaper by the dozen
"After wandering in the darkness with the loss of so many, there is now joy in the air. Instead of eulogies and wakes we have weddings, baptisms and puppies galore."
"After wandering in the darkness with the loss of so many, there is now joy in the air. Instead of eulogies and wakes we have weddings, baptisms and puppies galore."
Roach: Stars and stripes
This Fourth of July was different. I had been mulling over the notion of adding another banner to accompany the Stars and Stripes to add context to Old Glory.
This Fourth of July was different. I had been mulling over the notion of adding another banner to accompany the Stars and Stripes to add context to Old Glory.
Roach: Remote possibility
As we emerge from quarantine, squint at the sun and begin to gather in groups giddy with reclaimed freedom — and return, at least partially, to the office — it is worth pondering how we have changed.
As we emerge from quarantine, squint at the sun and begin to gather in groups giddy with reclaimed freedom — and return, at least partially, to the office — it is worth pondering how we have changed.
Roach: Goodbye, old friend
The past year will be remembered as one of loss.
The past year will be remembered as one of loss.
Roach: Better Man
The world has been dormant for a year. Life as we knew it has been on hold since last March. But in the midst of this latency period, someone has been working. And his name is Kaleem Caire.
The world has been dormant for a year. Life as we knew it has been on hold since last March. But in the midst of this latency period, someone has been working. And his name is Kaleem Caire.
Roach: The boomers are coming
Although COVID-19 and its variants have not been extinguished from our lives, we can now see a time when the vicious interloper will no longer be hovering over our shoulder.
Although COVID-19 and its variants have not been extinguished from our lives, we can now see a time when the vicious interloper will no longer be hovering over our shoulder.
Roach: A drawer full of masks
If all goes well, there will come a day when we finally tuck our masks away.
Late this morning, the bride and I will hop into the car and drive to Walgreens in Illinois where we will get our first COVID-19 vaccine shot.
Roach: Knock it off!
'Assuming there are no further coup attempts, a new chapter for America has begun.'
Assuming there are no further coup attempts, a new chapter for America has begun.
Roach: Shot in the dark
'Wow. Almost didn’t get this column written because I was sick this past month.'
Wow. Almost didn’t get this column written because I was sick this past month.
Roach: Winter is coming
We are entering a Wisconsin winter that promises to be unlike any we have ever experienced
For most of us, COVID-19 arrived last March. We hoped its visit would be brief. But instead it has moved in with us, taking no hint that it has long outlasted its welcome.
Roach: The morning after
We face a divisive election that will determine the course of our nation for the next four years.
As a person who has lived more years than most, I can not remember a weirder time in America.
Roach: I want to be bored silly
After much thinking, musing and pondering, I have come to the realization that I want just one thing from our next commander in chief: I want to be bored.
Well, it’s nearly time to vote. And there’s no better time to decide what I want from our next president over the next four years.
Roach: Dumb and Dumber
"I wonder daily when and how we became so profoundly stupid."
"I wonder daily when and how we became so profoundly stupid."
Madison Magazine Events
Announcing Best of Madison 2023 categories, voting timeline
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Best of Madison Business 2023
Join Madison Magazine and presenting sponsor Johnson Financial Group as we honor this year's Best of Madison Business Awards honorees.
