About Mechanics

Mechanics is the politics section of Gapers Block, reflecting the diversity of viewpoints and beliefs of Chicagoans and Illinoisans. Our Latin slogan you see on the banner, Dubitando ad veritatem venimus, means "Through skepticism, we arrive at truth." Truth is much more fun than spin.

Editor

Ramsin Canon, Politics Editor - Mechanics
Ramsin Canon works and lives in Chicago. He has worked in and written about local and state politics for the last six years, and currently writes about the big issues at RamsinCanon.com. Ramsin wrote GB's political column Revenge of the Second City from 2003 to 2008, and Bears in Five for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Email him at rc@gapersblock.com.

Staff

Tyler Davis
Tyler Davis is working towards an undergraduate degree in Journalism at Columbia College. He covers politics and urban affairs, but can also be found doing improv with Columbia's improv team, Droppin' $cience. Follow him on Twitter.

Megan E. Doherty
A Chicago-based independent writer, Megan wrote a dissertation on some crazy stuff, and is happy to have re-joined society — complete with a bunny, a banjo, and a lotta books. You can catch a few laughs at her off-beat humor blog, Irreverent Guide to Life, and you can stay abreast of whatever it is she’s working on, on that tumblr thing: meganedoherty.tumblr.com. Or, get it straight: MeganEDoherty.com.

Mike Ewing
Mike moved to Chicago from Wisconsin to teach nonprofits the secrets of the Internet. When he's not chasing down stories, blogging or tweeting he likes to seek out good tunes and good brews in the Wicker Park area.

Andrew Huff, Editor & Publisher
Andrew works deep into the night at his West Ridge two-flat, writing and editing and playing with the cats. He spends more time online than is healthy; follow along at me3dia.com. Email him at ah@gapersblock.com.

Aaron Krager
A former seminarian, a former political campaigner and now a current writer, Aaron likes to focus his time on watching a good ball game and hammering out a politically charged opinion piece on income inequality, equal rights and the progressive movement at large.

Levois
Levois is a lifelong Chicago resident and a longtime political junkie. He's a current college student and has been blogging at It's My Mind since 2005. You can also catch some of his postings at not only Illinoize, but also The Sixth Ward.

OneMan
...writes One Man's Thoughts, an Illinois politics weblog.

Monica Reida
Monica Reida is a journalism student at Columbia College Chicago and has been involved with politics since a very young age. A native of California—although proud to admit that she's now used to Chicago weather—she lives in Uptown and writes about various topics over at Fragments.

Ben Schulman
Ben Schulman has graced many stages in many places. From his child actor youth in Los Angeles, to kicking around New York, San Francisco, and Austin, TX as a fledgling musician, Schulman now resides in the lovely Tri-Taylor neighborhood with his wife and their Golden pup. While not running indie record label Contraphonic, Inc. and its accompanying Chicago Sound Series project, Schulman writes, works a sales job and scours out all of Chicago in search of Algren's soul and the best damn Italian beef sandwich he can find.

Micah Uetricht
Micah is, like so many Chicagoans, a Michigan transplant who's got pride for his home state but never intends on moving back. He can frequently be found on his bicycle to or from Rogers Park and taking dips in the lake when it isn't prudent. He is an occasional contributor to the Chicago-based progressive magazine In These Times. E-mail him at micah.uetricth [at] gmail [dot] com.

Contributors

Katie Osgood
Katie Osgood is a special education teacher at a psychiatric hospital in Chicago. Before that, she taught in a Chicago Public School and in Japan. Recently, Katie has become involved in activism, pushing back against the corporate education reforms of people like Mayor (1%) Emanuel.

Jeffrey Paul Smith
Jeff, a Chicago native and Harvard law grad, is a veteran activist, organizer, and former Democratic committeeman for the lakefront 9th District. Currently president of a community organization in Evanston, Jeff is known for political independence, passionate progressive advocacy, and tweaking conventional wisdom. He professes to have no life outside of policy wonkdom, but some whisper that he plays a half-decent rockabilly guitar and is involved in a tragic love affair with a certain North Side team.