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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What makes a ‘great president’?
Posted at: Nov/06/2012 : Posted by: mel
Related Category: Historical Insights, Politics & Gov, Watching America,
As today is Election Day 2012, it seems only fitting to ask this question. We have all grown up being taught that “anybody can grow up to be President.” Despite these motivational words to our children, I’m not entirely sure it is true. It clearly takes a person who is smart, tough and driven just to campaign for the office. Once in the Oval Office, the pressures of the job take over. We have.....read more…
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The Pulpit and Free Speech?
Posted at: Oct/12/2012 : Posted by: mel
Related Category: People, Society, The Law,
Did you hear that, October 7, 2012 was designated at Pulpit Freedom Day? This is a day when hundreds of pastors were expected to openly violate the law of the land and preach politics or endorse political candidates from their respective pulpits. Technically the law they intend to violate is the Johnson Amendment, enacted in 1954. Sponsored by then Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, this law limits the.....read more…
Makers, Takers and a Little Truth
Posted at: Sep/28/2012 : Posted by: mel
Related Category: Behavior, Economics, Perspectives,
It all began just a few days ago. With the Obama/Romney Presidential race of 2012 in its final 60 days it is still pretty much a dead heat. It is unfortunate, but neither candidate has offered anything positive that you would want to follow. Instead, it has been a campaign of negatives and attacks forcing voters to decide who they dislike the least. It is also an era where there are no secrets.....read more…
Good Speech, Bad Speech, Obnoxious Speech
Posted at: Sep/20/2012 : Posted by: mel
It is the summer of 2012 and things are not going well in the Middle East. There have been attacks and large scale protest on American embassies and consulates in Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen and Libya. At the center of all this violence is a YouTube video titled “Innocence of Muslims.” It is unfortunate, but most of the world does not understand why we tolerate, and even periodically defend such tras.....read more…
For Many Americans, 9/11 is More History than Memory
Posted at: Sep/11/2012 : Posted by: mel
Related Category: Historical Insights,
Today is September 11th, 2012, this is a meaningful date for me. I work with kids a great deal and it is clear to me this date has less significance for them. Even for my own sons the significance is not there despite my attempts at teaching. One of my sons at breakfast this morning merely made the passing comment “oh yea…this is September 11,” then the conversation returned to last night’s foot.....read more…
Is Man Done Exploring?
Posted at: Sep/06/2012 : Posted by: mel
A few days ago, Aug 25th of 2012 to be exact Neil Armstrong passed away at the age of 82. He is most remembered as the first man on the moon in 1969 with his famous words, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” It has been over 30 years since mankind left any new footprints on moon. I don’t really want to eulogize Armstrong, though I will recount some of his exploits. .....read more…
Why are lists fascinating?
Posted at: Aug/27/2012 : Posted by: mel
Related Category: People, Perspectives,
Have you ever wondered why we are so fascinated by lists of things? We love those lists that countdown to “number one.” David Letterman has his daily list of top ten something’s. Television’s Animal Planet always does well with its list based programs; ten weirdest animals, ten most unique insect relationships, etc. Time magazine list of “The world’s Top 100 Most Influential People” is always a.....read more…
There are too many people in Jail!
Posted at: Aug/15/2012 : Posted by: mel
Related Category: Society, Watching America,
The United States leads the world at incarcerating its own people. As a percentage, we lock up more of our own citizens than any other country on earth. This growing population includes an increasing number of nonviolent inmates for longer and longer sentences. As budgets become tighter and tighter, federal, state and local programs including education are forces to sustain more cuts to keep al.....read more…
When do we call it performance enhancing?
Posted at: Aug/08/2012 : Posted by: mel
Related Category: Perspectives, Sports,
If you have followed any of the news about the London 2012 Olympics, you have likely heard of Oscar Pistorius. Oscar was born with missing fibulas (the outer leg bones). As a result of his condition, both of his legs were amputated below the knees as a baby. Despite this condition, Oscar has risen to become a noted sprinter in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes. He accomplishes these feats of r.....read more…
The fading of Amateurs from the Olympics
Posted at: Aug/01/2012 : Posted by: mel
If you are a person who likes quiet places, the Olympics are probably not going to be one of your travel destinations. Even if you watch the various sporting events from the comfort of your living room, there is still plenty of opportunity to cheer and make noise. Despite all this, one of the most significant events of the modern Olympics history took place with little more than a yawn to acknow.....read more…
