Important Note:
Opinions are fun. My friends tell me I am someone with lots of opinions and that's fine since I don't get mad at others when they disagree with me. In this same spirit I am interested in hearing yours views as long as you are able to share your views without boiling over. I look forward to hearing from you. I tend to write in the form of short essays most of the time, but contributions do not need to be in this same format or size. Some of the content here will date itself pretty quickly, other content may be virtually timeless, this is for the reader to judge.
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All wars kill innocents
Posted at: Mar/20/2024 : Posted by: Mel
Related Category: Politics & Gov, Watching America, World Watching,
If you have watched “Band of Brothers” on television, you may have noticed that it does not spend much time on the civilian casualties and regional destruction reaped on Germany and German occupied portions of Europe. Stephen Ambrose’s book and the mini-series production by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks instead focuses on the reality of war as seen and experienced by members of the E-Company, 2nd.....read more…
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My Memory is Fine
Posted at: Feb/14/2024 : Posted by: Mel
Related Category: Politics & Gov, Watching America,
If there is one thing we can depend on as American’s it is great quotes from our Presidents. “I am not a crook.” “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.” “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” (Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton respectively). A president denying reality is nothing new. Sometimes it’s a self-protective lie. Sometimes it’s a twisted string of words utter.....read more…
Politics and Selling fear
Posted at: Dec/14/2023 : Posted by: Mel
In America there are a lot of entertaining sports to watch. Baseball with its long season and lethargic pace of play allows for lots of commercial breaks. College and professional football demonstrate lots of coordination and exciting plays. Basketball offers a regular season followed by a playoff structure that seems nearly as long. But if you are a fan of an extended season, over the top per.....read more…
Where Did the Trust Go?
Posted at: Dec/05/2023 : Posted by: Mel
Related Category: Perspectives, Politics & Gov, Watching America,
The expulsion of George Santos from Congress in December 2023 for his litany of fabrications, lies and potential crimes is a major step towards rebuilding the reputation of that institution. Yes, it would have been better for him to resign, but this vote for expulsion sends a clear message that even in our permissive age, not every scandal can be survived. Undoubtedly, many of our American instit.....read more…
You are Supposed to Represent us!
Posted at: Sep/26/2023 : Posted by: Mel
For some time now, men and women in the Senate had to dress in business attire. All that changed during the middle of September 2023 when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer changed the Senate's informal dress code?to no code at all. As of this week, senators can wear whatever they want on the floor. The move is largely being associated with Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who often fo.....read more…
Exceptionalism matters
Posted at: Jun/13/2023 : Posted by: Mel
Related Category: Politics & Gov, Society, Watching America,
From the beginning of America’s colonial history its people have exemplified a concept called “Exceptionalism.” Exceptionalism is conventionally the basis for producing risk-takers, warriors, leaders and innovators. American Exceptionalism includes the belief that our nation holds a unique responsibility and destiny in the global society. Following the example of the post-revolutionary American d.....read more…
The Failed state of Russia
Posted at: Sep/30/2022 : Posted by: mel
Related Category: Politics & Gov, World Watching,
I know, it is likely a little optimistic to say so, but there are a lot of signs for everyone to see. It sure looks like Russia has gone from failing, to being a failed state. The first step in Russia’s disintegration was Vladimir Putin’s painstaking construction of a fascist political system centered on him and his personality. In the lifecycle of a dictatorship it is not unusual for the lea.....read more…
The new California energy solution
Posted at: Sep/06/2022 : Posted by: mel
Have you heard, California is about to vote on legislation to restrict the sale of gas-powered cars and ban them altogether after 2035. This is clearly a noble cause, and just as clearly has not been thought through very well. With so many contradictions to existing energy and environmental policy it will be interesting to see how this plays out over time. In truth, the Governor had announced .....read more…
Tactical lessons from Ukraine
Posted at: Mar/21/2022 : Posted by: Mel
Related Category: Historical Insights, Politics & Gov, World Watching,
For anyone not aware, the Russian army after spending months building up their forces along the Ukrainian border, ultimately invaded Ukraine on Feb 24 of 2022. This has devolved from a military action to genocide and humanitarian crisis. While I don’t wish to ignore the scale of human tragedy that is unfolding, there are some serious lessons to be learned about the Russian military and its tactic.....read more…
What keeps me up at night
Posted at: Mar/14/2022 : Posted by: mel
I would like to believe that as I have matured in life, I have gotten my emotions under control. When things go well, I enjoy the moment while trying not to celebrate to a level that belittles someone else. When things have not worked out as I have hoped, I try to focus on what should happen next and minimize any outward appearance of being upset or disappointed. There is another emotional situ.....read more…
