Jim Picht
James Picht is the Senior Editor for Communities Politics. He teaches economics and Russian at the Louisiana Scholars' College in Natchitoches, La. After earning his doctorate in economics, he spent several years doing economic development work in Moscow and the new independent states of the former Soviet Union for the U.S. government, the Asian Development Bank, and as a private contractor. He has also worked in Latin America, the former USSR and the Balkans as an educator, teaching courses in economics and law at universities in Ukraine and at finance ministries throughout the region. He has been writing at the Communities since 2009.
In praise of post-Harvey price gouging
Harvey has created huge opportunities for profit, and profit attracts plumbers, carpenters and resources. How much profit is too much? How little is too little?
How to empty the nest, avoid drama and ease the pain
If you think it's sad to see your kids move out, imagine how sad you'd be if they never did. August is move-in month at school dorms. Breath deep and enjoy it.
Is President Trump racist?
Trump doesn't care about your race, gender or sex if you agree with him, but some of the people who agree with him care a whole lot about race, gender and sex.
Confederate statues and American iconoclasts
To destroy a monument isn't to destroy history; it's to destroy the interpretation of history that monument represents. What do Confederate statues represent?
The Thunder in Virginia’s political night
There's no problem so bad that we can't make it worse, but Americans, from President Trump on down, seem determined to try.
Family travel: Southern Colorado and the Great Sand Dunes
We stood on a great sand dune staring out over the plains when the puffy clouds turned into the wrathful face of God. "RUN!"
See America: Family fun in and around Durango, CO
Durango sits in a vast and extraordinary natural and cultural landscape: From Taos to Arches to the Grand Canyon to the Canyon de Chelly — America's Southwest.
Finding great banana pudding in Durango, burgers in Ouray
Travel is always an adventure. Traveling with teens can take you all sorts of interesting places.
Traveling with teens: Three hours in Albuquerque, then Durango
There are many reasons to visit Albuquerque. Walter White's legend is just one. And then, there's the American International Rattlesnake Museum.
Vacationing with teens: What is there to do in Santa Fe?
We dragged our 16-year-old son and his 14-year-old sister to Santa Fe. They get along like Hezbollah and ISIS, but they've united in that their parents are completely lame
Top Photo Galleries
Decadence, Privilege, Passion and “Gurl 26” Agnes De Vril
"Gurl 26" Agnes De Vril was a passionate whirlwind in the decadent, thrill ride, surrealistic, experiential fever dream that was New York City in the early 1980's.
