A space for observation, discovery, and growth
A Fine and Detailed Recap of Biden’s First Year – A Lot to Celebrate
Press Coverage of The One Year Mark
I find much of the press coverage of Joe Biden’s first year in office to be off the mark, in both content and tone. There is an interesting phenomenon within the media that I have noticed ever more in recent years. I refer to it as me too-ism.
A story gets picked up from one media source and is replayed by many more, at times it seems without much reflection,
A Trimates Reflection on the Past Year
What happened to the optimism that permeated most of America when 2021 dawned? New energy filled our hearts and minds as we confronted a murderous pandemic and began to reinvigorate our economy. Progress was made and national spirits raised. Then a slow drip of opposition became a flood of negativity and the country split into warring camps.
Why? What lies ahead in 2022? We are a diverse group of three (a soldier, a priest, and an advocate). Each has a blog, but we are joining together here as “trimates” to reflect on the past and imagine the year to come.
Why Did They Find It So Hard to be Decent Leaders?
Credit Where It Is Due
Let’s start out on some positive notes, and an update on Bezos.
First, there is no doubt that both Bezos and Musk are brilliant and driven people. They are driven to excel at a level most people could not comprehend. Both have taken significant risks and routinely thought out of that proverbial box. Both persevered long after others would have given up.
And we should note that Bezos no longer runs Amazon, having been “replaced” by Andy Jassy.
Join the discussion at: Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are Brilliant and Insightful – But Terrible Bosses
The Last Week or So Has Been Busy for Justice. The Score? Justice wins 4-1
A Lot of Cases Came to Fruition Almost Simultaneously
By my count, no less than six major legal events happened in the last few days. That alone is worth noting. But the specific outcomes are the important elements here. There are surely times these days when good souls wonder if the country has irretrievably gone to hell in a handbasket. That the forces of hate and prejudice are on the rise everywhere.
But every so often, people manage to do the right thing.
Two Trends are Understandable But Problematic
First, a Disclaimer
I am about to embark on a couple of topics that could lead to some misimpressions on where I stand on certain social issues. I will try to dispel any such perceptions when discussing the rationale for the trends noted below.
Just to be clear at the outset:
Join the discussion at: The Problems with Names and Pronouns
Just Give the Damn Stuff Away – Turns Out, That Works
Ethical and Practical Reasons Governments Help People
Just to set the stage for this discussion, let’s remind ourselves why governments assist those who are less fortunate at some point in their lives. There are, of course, many reasons, but two tend to be the most prevalent:
It’s the Right and Moral Thing to Do: Most cultures and religions have a core belief that we should help others who are in various states of need. This is especially true for children,
Time to Make a Choice! And the Winner Is….
Part Four of a Four-Part Series on Choosing a Socio-Economic System for America
A Short Review of What We Have Noted Across the Various Options
In doing a very large-scale, low-resolution examination of the three primary socio-economic systems on offer, we noted the following:
Join the discussion at: Last Round in the Contest for an American Socio-Economic System
First Contestant: Capitalism
A Four-Part Series on Choosing a Socio-Economic System for America
Ah, Yes. This One is Familiar
We start this little review and exploration of systems with capitalism in large part because it is the incumbent in America, and the one most of us know best. Well, at least we know a version of it. More on that later.
We begin or review of these systems on Friday the 13th. What could possibly go wrong?!
Remember our analogy we set up to evaluate these systems?
Our Choice of a Socio-Economic System Determines About Everything
Something New for Agents of Reason – A Four Part Series
Well, We Do Pick Easy, Simple Topics Here, Don’t We?
It’s summertime, so I thought, “What the heck! Let’s pick something easy to deal with. How about choosing a socio-economic system for the US going forward? That shouldn’t take more than a couple of weeks.”
Kidding aside, this is a conversation going on in fits and starts around the country, and its one we need to have.
Join the discussion at: Capitalism? Socialism? Something Else?
Let’s Acknowledge Political and Physical Courage When We See It
Who Rises to the Challenge?
Fate, history if you will, has a way of calling on people at inconvenient times. One day, you are just minding your own business, the next you are thinking about risking everything. Funny how that happens. It is endlessly fascinating to watch how this plays out, as it does, every day, all around the world, in large and small venues. For me, the quote from Dr. King at the start of this blog post says it all.
What separates those who rise from those who fall short is most often the failure to ask the final question in the quote.
