Feature: From The Songbook

Does life imitate art or art imitate life? In "From the Songbook," Benjamin uses lyrics as his jumping off point to explore a whole host of topics. From Otis Redding to the Afghan Whigs, from Hank Williams, Sr, to the Dropkick Murphys, no artist or genre is safe from Benjamin’s examination. Sometimes irreverent, sometimes profound, "From the Songbook," is never boring. A student of music, and history as well as a self-avowed voyeur of people, Benjamin combines his passions to put a point on the topic at hand like a festering pimple desperately needing popped. The pain is relief and the relief is pain. A working journalist, Benjamin currently serves as a combat photojournalist and is the managing editor or a weekly newspaper in southeastern Wyoming. He’s worked as a reporter in Ohio, Arizona and done several deployments in the military crossing the globe.

Columnists

Benjamin Cossel

Articles in this feature

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• I'll Be Home For Christmas, But I was Only Dreaming

  It’s near five o’clock on Christmas Eve. To the left of me is a bottle of Jameson Irish Whisky; to the right of me is my trusty Nikon D2h.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Dec 26, 2010

• Burn Baby, Burn

  Pain is temporary. That’s the point of this life: to be consumed, to become something more than what you are.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Nov 27, 2010

• Take Me Out to the Ballgame

  Trying to make it home for a home run.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Nov 10, 2010

• This Time Darling, It Just Ain't the Same

  It’s been a depressing sort of week.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Nov 08, 2010

• I Think I Found My Key Again

  Been trapped in the hallways of depression for too long and the key out has always been right in front of me.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Oct 14, 2010

• It's All Relative to the Size of Your Steeple

  The beautifully damaged of the world are my favorite type of people.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Sep 16, 2010

• Death Takes a Ride, Westbound, I-80

  A particularly gruesome accident leaves its mark.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Sep 10, 2010

• Pickin' at Scabs

  You can't help yourself, you see the scab and you pick at it.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Aug 30, 2010

• You Might Not Be Able to Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd, Or So I've Heard

  A broken car teaches a life lesson.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Aug 25, 2010

• Build the Mosque

  Let us thumb our noses as the terrorists — build the mosque near Ground Zero.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Aug 18, 2010

• I've Got a Lost Case of Being Found

  One too many vodkas unleash a torrent of melancholy.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Aug 11, 2010

• Born to Be Wild; Mistakes are Extra

  With Sturgis just around the corner, I recall one of my worst hell-rides.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Aug 05, 2010

• Making Your Way Surrounded by Wolves

  The infantry is never welcome, until it proves itself.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Jul 28, 2010

• The Curse of a Military Child

  Growing up on the move from town to town made me part of the man I am today.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Jul 21, 2010

• A Soldier Comes Out

  Moments of courage rewarded with a one-way ticket out of the Army.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Jun 16, 2010

• My Son Goes Away

  His going away is the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Jun 01, 2010

• Come Get Your 15 Minutes of Fame

  Our need for instant gratification is turning our culture into a circus freak show.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on May 26, 2010

• Put Me in the Action Radius

  Hello, my name's Ben and I'm an action junkie.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on May 20, 2010

• I Still Miss Someone

  I hope you know this will go down on your permanent record.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on May 12, 2010

• Staring Down the Demon of Kent State

  The legacy of Kent State casts a long shadow over my psyche.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on May 05, 2010