Country & Western May 14, 2010March 17, 2017 THE SECOND OF MARC’S 12 MOST USEFUL THINGS Yesterday, I gave you the first (well, Marc gave it to us). And at the end of this series, I’ll give you the link to all 12 of them. But for now . . . 2. Have your files, always. When I need a file, it’s always there on any of my computers, thanks to Dropbox, a service that keeps a master folder seamlessly synchronized between my four Macs (two at work, two at home), my 2 PCs and my Linux computer. Dropbox also doubles as an online backup service and integrates with other services, such as 1Password (useful thing #9). I’ve tried using similar services, such as Sugarsync, but Dropbox seems more stable. Once your files are synchronized via Dropbox you can also access them through an interface on the Dropbox Web site. Works great via my iPad as well. Dropbox, 2Gb free, 50GB $9.99 per month. JOAN GARRY ON ELENA KAGAN AND AN ADMINISTRATION MISSTEP Joan writes so well – here. HEY, MRS. REKERS . . . The 61-year-old co-founder of the Family Research Council – who clicked through to an adult website for ‘renting’ young men – says he’s not gay . . . his choice of a handsome and explicitly versatile 20-year-old to accompany him on a 10-day vacation (and the alleged daily naked massages) notwithstanding.* Which may be what inspired one of you to send me this country and western tune. *I assume by now you know the story. If not, you’ll find one thoughtful, and ultimately sympathetic, account, here. AND SPEAKING OF C&W Have you read Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer, by Chely Wright? In it, she comes out of the closet. In reviewing it, furniture magnate and Faith In America founder, Mitchell Gold, writes: Chely Wright might not be a household name outside of country music fans, but she is to country music fans and that is very significant. And who are country music fans? In her book she describes a conversation she had with John Rich (another country music singer) and his definition of how they feel about homosexuals. ‘Fans won’t have it. This industry won’t allow it. This is country music. It’s about God and country and family. People don’t approve of that kind of deviant behavior. It’s a sin.’ . . . Ms. Wright’s book is an important opportunity for those audience members to hear first hand from one of their own what homosexuality is and isn’t. It’s a book that will help every parent understand how every word they say to their impressionable child is impactful. . . . [It] describes the immense harm that religion-based bigotry caused in her life. If you are in conflict with your own feelings, you must read ‘Like Me.’ Her style is as easy and smooth as her music. . . . Mitchell Gold is the author of CRISIS: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma Of Growing Up Gay In America.