Everything Else Archives - Page 11 of 19

Let the Contest Continue!

By Bill Clontz August 15, 2021 August 17, 2021 Leave a Comment

Next Contestant: Socialism

Part of a Four-Part Series on Choosing a Socio-Economic System for America

Ah, Socialism. The One People Love or Hate – And Seldom Understand

We started this little review and exploration of systems with capitalism. This time around let’s take a quick look at socialism. No one has any strong feelings about this one, do they? Oh, well, OK– maybe we do.

Remember our analogy for evaluating these systems- this is a bit like buying an automobile. Socio-economic systems carry a lot of the same characteristics we look for in automobiles.

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Taking Some Time to Think About Time

By Bill Clontz July 25, 2021 July 30, 2021 Leave a Comment

Time Shapes So Much of Our Lives. Yet We Understand It Hardly at All

What is Time, Anyway?

Seems a simple question, but there is little agreement out there among people who cogitate on such musings. For most of us, time is a given. It is what provides the benchmarks and guideposts of life. When we think of life’s events, we often think of when they happened, and in what sequence. Time and events, life as a whole, seem intertwined inexorably.

But there is a serious coterie of scientists who think time is not a real thing but is just something we incorrectly perceive.

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About the Olympics

By Bill Clontz July 9, 2021 July 13, 2021 1 Comment

Few Human Endeavors Carry Such Contrasts

A Reminder as to How All This Began

The Olympic games were an invention of ancient Greece, one of the wonderful things that civilization left us. The idea was to foster peaceful competition and to celebrate youthful excellence, dedication, and skill. It was a noble and inspiring idea that was restarted in the modern era, for all the right reasons.

The Power and Beauty of Youthful Athletes

It would be difficult to not admire the skill and remarkable dedication of Olympic athletes. For most of them,

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Mixed Emotions on the 4th of July? That is Very American

By Bill Clontz July 6, 2021 July 6, 2021 3 Comments

The Fourth is More Than Our National Holiday. It’s Our National Mirror

Reflections on the Fourth of July, 2021

You and I are probably like most Americans on this Fourth of July. In looking back over the past year, over the past 245 years, and over the years to come, we feel a wide range of thoughts and emotions. As well we should.

I decided a long time ago that anything less than conflicting feelings would be a waste – and lazy. This country has always been a mix of hope and despair,

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A Grab Bag of News and Views

By Bill Clontz May 25, 2021 May 25, 2021 2 Comments

There is a Lot Going On. Let’s Poke Around a Bit

A Time of Transitions

We are always in a state of transition, but that seems especially true now. A new administration is settled in, the Middle East is heating up yet again. We have come from the worst pandemic record in the world to one of the best. Exiting and possible game changers are popping up in technology. And more. So, here we go.

The Biden Administration Settles In

This is about as good a start-up phrase I have ever seen. The team Biden selected is stellar and they hit the ground running.

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Adaptation, Survival, and Happy Endings

By Bill Clontz May 17, 2021 May 18, 2021 1 Comment

Family Restaurant -1, Pandemic – 0

Setting the Scene

As mentioned earlier in this space, we took a bit of a regional trip a couple of weeks ago. At our first overnight stop, we went restaurant hunting online. This was not a town known for fine dining, but we found an Italian place that had lots of good comments and hey, good Italian is pretty simple cuisine, so we decided to give them a try.

We made an online reservation, got both an online and text confirmation and we were ready to go. A day or so prior,

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We Found America – At Least Some of It

By Bill Clontz May 8, 2021 May 11, 2021 4 Comments

A Limited Peek – With More Good News Than Bad

On the Road – At Last

I noted a few days ago that we were about to launch on our first road trip since the pandemic broke out. As noted, we were careful all along the way, as this fearsome thing is not yet defeated. We were careful where we went, ate, and lodged.

By the end, we had travelled through four states, visiting about half a dozen urban areas and some seriously rural areas. We logged about 1500 miles, travelling in the South East and the Deep South.

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Gone to Look for America

By Bill Clontz April 18, 2021 April 27, 2021 2 Comments

We are Gingerly Stepping Out to See America

A First Post Isolation Trip

After a year of staying close to home, my spouse and I are about to launch on a trip of a few days. The pandemic is not over – caution remains the keynote. This is a driving trip – seems reckless to us at this point to be in airports if not absolutely necessary. The places we are lodging all have solid COVID protocols in place. We are dining only in places that take precautions seriously. So, all in all, seems a reasonable risk at this point.

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