OUR WRITERS
While Lean to the Left is led by journalist and author Bob Gatty, it is not a solo operation. The platform includes a team of skilled contributing writers, each bringing unique expertise, voice, and passion to the issues that matter most.
Our writers, all volunteers, provide insight and to-the-point commentary about important developments in today’s news. They come from many disciplines, including journalism, academia, business, law, and more. Together, this team strengthens the platform, expands its reach, and ensures readers receive a wide range of progressive perspectives—all grounded in fact, clarity, and a commitment to protecting democracy.
We welcome your comments about our blogs. Just use the comment box at the end of each article.
If you have something to say and would like to join our editorial team, please contact Bob at bob@leantotheleft.net.
MARK M. BELLO
Mark Bello is an attorney, civil justice advocate, award-winning author of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series who draws upon 42 years of courtroom experience, a passion for justice, and his creative writing style to pen captivating novels for his readers and hard-hitting commentaries on controversies in the news.
Bello was one of the first attorneys to sue the Catholic Church over sexual abuse by clergy, an experience that inspired his debut novel, Betrayal of Faith. Through his “ripped from the headlines” novels, he takes readers deep into the courtroom fights to protect our most precious rights and gives us a front-row glimpse into what victims face when standing up for justice. His sixth novel, Supreme Betrayal, was released on April 1, 2021.
In his books, articles, and blogs at www.markmbello.com, Bello calls out abuses of power as he empowers readers, the media, and ordinary citizens to fight for their rights as guaranteed under the Constitution.
For more information, visit www.markmbello.com. Mark is host of the Justice Counts podcast, co-hosted by Bob Gatty of Lean to the Left.
DR. DEBORAH CUNNINGHAM BREEDE
Dr. Deborah Cunningham Breede (Deb), Distinguished Professor Emerita from Coastal Carolina University, has been a teacher, lecturer, researcher, and community activist throughout the southeast for over 50 years.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia; her Master of Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida and after working as a paralegal at the law firm of Kaplan and Gaylord, decided to begin her Ph.d. in Communication at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida
At Coastal Carolina University, she first spearheaded a Communication minor, then the Communication major, and finally the Master’s degree (MA) in Communication. She was the first director of the new MA in Communication.
She is the author of four books, several book chapters, and dozens of published articles in academic, professional, and political newsletters, newspapers, magazines, journals, and anthologies. Deb is co-chair of the Communication committee for the Horry County Democratic Party.
RICK COMFORT
Rick is a JFK Democrat who worked on Kennedy’s campaign as a teenager and was a member of the Young Democrats of NJ that worked for Gov Hughes campaigns also. He was a police officer during the tumultuous 1970’s while attending Rider University on an LEAA grant that took 12 years to complete. Upon graduation Rick began a career in the automotive industry with a major fortune 100 company in Marketing Communications and Operations, spending time at various locations around the country and produced numerous brochures, flyers and retail sales “Point of sale” documents, along with internal announcements and product introductions. Assisted with executive speeches and presentations, was the face of the company at many media events and public gatherings.
Developed and implemented several internal training curriculum that was used for training 1200 dealership and corporate employees.
After retiring Rick formed his own company, Comfy Consultants that provide a full range of marketing support and implementation to the automotive industry.
Rick and his spouse retired in SC in 2016.
STACY FITZGERALD
Stacy Fitzgerald is a full-time marketing and communications pro and part-time freelance writer using her considerable experience in living while black to engage in conscious storytelling.
She enjoys politics, traveling, reading, wine and dogs and abhors arrogance, aggressiveness and anything fake.
When she’s not working or writing, she also loves spending time with her family and practicing her considerable sarcasm skills. (Editor’s Note: She doesn’t need much practice.)
Sarcastic or not, Stacy was a major contributor to our book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump’s Attack on America’s Greatness.
DR. PAMELA GURLEY
Dr. Pamela Gurley is a writer, author, speaker, podcaster, journalist, and activist, who unapologetically lives her life to its fullest. She does not shy away from difficult conversation and pushes past social constructs. She came to our attention as a guest on our Lean to the Left podcast in which she describes her efforts to empower Black women and children.
Her 25-year career includes 14 years as civil servant working for the United States Federal Government across the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of the Army, Department of Defense, Department of State, and the Merit Systems Protection Board. She resigned on November 7, 2020, to become a full-time entrepreneur.
She is a retired United States Army Veteran and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master’s in Health Service Administration, and a Doctorate in Management.
For more information, visit www.clarkandhillenterprise.com.
ARTHUR HILL
Arthur Hill is a retired journalist and corporate communications professional.
He began his career in journalism with Time magazine. His experience since then includes several years as a legislative aide and speechwriter for a U.S. senator, a Washington correspondent for several magazines, a producer of a syndicated sports TV show, and a member of the Corporate Communications Department at a major federal agency.
Since his retirement, he has been the editor of a small community publication — fulfilling a lifelong dream. He also co-authored his first book, “A Sizable Number of Miracles,” scheduled to be published in April. He lives with his wife, Sherry, and their dog, Muddy, in St. James, North Carolina.
Arthur has a special interest in uncovering and writing about the various scams that victimize so many people, including the elderly.
JEREMY HOLLAND
Jeremy Holland is a sociology professor at Horry-Georgetown Technical College. His research interests include social movements, economics, discourse analysis, and political ideology. He holds a PhD in applied linguistics from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom and a master’s degree in sociology from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX.
Holland has published articles about social movements and language in academic journals including Discourse & Society and Semiotica. He recently was a guest on The Lean to the Left Podcast to discuss the drive for student loan and other debt forgiveness.
In his leisure time, he enjoys playing video games with his two boys, hiking in South Carolina’s beautiful State Parks, and painting on wood with acrylics.
V. SUSAN HUTCHINSON
A native of Chicago, Susan earned a BS degree in Medical Technology from Northern Illinois University and held laboratory positions in Valdosta and Savannah, GA, Baltimore/DC and Dallas, TX before landing in the San Francisco area with a global company that sells clinical laboratory equipment and test kits.
She held training positions there and then worked in England as Regional Product Manager before returning to California in a management position in a global product support group. Susan took early retirement after 18 years with the company.
Susan moved to Conway, SC in January 2017 where she volunteers with AARP and is Horry County’s representative on the state AARP Executive Council. She volunteers with the Horry County Democratic Party, using her computer, writing, training, and organizational skills to support Party efforts.
Susan was a major contributor to our book, Hijacked Nation: Donald Trump’s Attack on America’s Greatness.
DAN LUZADDER
Dan Luzadder is an investigative journalist and author of “The Manchurian Journalist,” which examines the media and how journalists are influenced by special interests and government agencies, including the CIA.
Dan says he began drawing a paycheck as a journalist at 17 and worked the night police beat on a gritty daily by 19.
He became a columnist, an investigative reporter covering crime, corruption, prisons and political mischief.
He’s got a Pulitzer to his credit and a National public service award from the American Bar Association for exposing corruption in federal courts.
Dan even negotiated for lives of hostages on death row one night. He covered Columbine and numerous high-profile investigations; freelanced with the New York Times and the New York Daily News, and is now at work on an investigative documentary on a series of cold case crimes.
Dan joins our roster of writers after appearing on our Lean to the Left podcast to discuss the state of journalism today.
EILEEN POWELL
Eileen Powell is currently a freelance writer living in Marion, SC. She is a native of New York State, moving to the south more than thirty years ago.
She received her bachelor’s degree in English from the State University of New York at Fredonia, NY and an MA in Writing from Coastal Carolina University in 2013. She taught HS English in Marion County Schools before taking a university position as an Adjunct Professor from 2013 to 2020.
Eileen is known affectionately (maybe not by everyone) in her community as the opinionated Yankee liberal. She rather enjoys the title having worked hard to earn it by writing countless letters to the editors of the local papers in support of Democrat office holders, candidates and ideals.
ROBERT THOMPSON
Robert Thompson is a visionary in the realm of progressive media, founding Peach News Now several years ago. The media platform transcends traditional boundaries to bring news and perspectives to the forefront via radio, social media, podcasts, and more.
He is a native of South Georgia, where he completed undergraduate studies in information systems at Georgia Southwestern. Relocating to Metro Atlanta, he continued his graduate studies at Kennesaw State University and gave back to several schools by teaching college IT courses part time.
This abruptly ended several years ago mostly due to conservative political pressure so Robert decided to switch gears and start Peach News Now.
For more information, visit PeachNews.co
CJ WALDRON
Chris is from Upstate New York. He has earned degrees in English and Political Science from the University of New York. For almost 30 years, he taught in Schenectady, NY as an English and Special Education teacher. He has continued his career as an educator, most recently as an adjunct instructor at Horry Georgetown Technical College.
Always active in politics, Chris has served as a poll reporter and worked on the campaigns of NYS Representative Paul Tonko as well as several local elections. He assisted the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama with “Get Out the Vote” efforts, passing out leaflets, making phone calls and seeking campaign contributions. He continues to be active in politics, supporting local state and national Democratic candidates.
With Bob Gatty, Chris is co-author of the two-volume book Hijacked Nation-Donald Trump’s Attack on America’s Greatness. which is available at Amazon and other online booksellers.
SCOTT RAMMINGER
Scott Ramminger is a Nashville, TN musician and writer of songs and other things. He performs regularly in Nashville and up and down the East Coast. His songs have gotten a wide range of critical recognition and received radio play around the US and internationally, including on XM Radio.
Prior to moving to Nashville Ramminger spent almost 40 years working in Washington DC for organizations whose primary purposes included influencing the government on behalf of the industries they represented. For the last 18 of those years, he served as President & CEO of two of the organizations — The American Wood Preservers Institute and The American Wholesale Marketiers Association/Convenience Distributors Association.. Scottramminger.net