Senator Bernie Sanders is shockingly sane.

Senator Bernie Sanders is shockingly sane. MARK WILSON / THINKSTOCK

MONDAY, MAY 11 This week of speeding locomotives, self-possessed newscasters, and a heartening protest against a Northwest threat kicked off with a largely unremarkable day, unless you count news of the death of that human centipede of popular entertainment American Idol (which will cease broadcasting after its next season) or news of the birth of Olive Garden’s new breadstick sandwiches. (When God closes a door, She opens a window.)…

David Schmader—former weed columnist and Stranger associate editor—is the author of the solo plays Straight and Letter to Axl, which he’s performed in Seattle and across the US. His latest...