A space for observation, discovery, and growth
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.
A Small But Varied Collection of Fun/Interesting Things Found Online
Smorgasbord Time
Every so often we take a break from focusing on one thing to share some assorted tidbits that seem worth sharing. Today is such a day. Hope you enjoy these as much as I have. Most are short descriptions of and reflections on interesting articles, along with links to those articles. The last two are simply me thinking out loud. One never knows what will bubble to the top of my (or your) brain; here are a couple for today.
10 Books About Geopolitics
One of my disappointments in high school (boy,
I have a Question
You May Have Heard What the Bishops are Up to of Late
American Catholic bishops recently took a drastic step. They went on record, by a hefty margin, recommending that local catholic authorities withhold the sacrament of the Eucharist for President Biden. The wording is more general, but everyone recognizes Biden is the target. They will decide in November on doing this or not.
Just to remind, the Eucharist (Communion) is ritual the church believes channels divine grace. It takes inspiration from the Last Supper. Participants consume bread and wine.
Join the discussion at: Psst! Hey, Catholic Bishops – Can We Talk?
Love is a Complicated Thing – with a Person or a Country
America – Love It or Leave It
Remember that phrase? It was not a new sentiment, but the phrase became part of the national lexicon during the Nixon era. The national divisions over the Vietnam war had developed into a broader national division. Nixon and Agnew fanned the divisions and that phrase got repeated (most often, got yelled) a lot.
The implication, of course, was that any criticism of the country, and by extension of the government, was wrong and was unpatriotic.
Join the discussion at: You Say You Love Your Country? OK – Let’s See What That Means
How NOT to Solve a Problem – And Lessons for the Rest of Us
Why Comment on This Now?
Goodness knows, everyone has a column about the conflict in recent days, but I felt compelled to add my two cents worth for a number of reasons. This has major moral, political, and security implications for a lot of people, including us. And lessons to be learned, if we will.
I visited Israel and Lebanon some years ago. I came back more depressed and worried than when I arrived. What I saw,
Join the discussion at: This Blog Began Because of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
So, How are They Measuring Up on Our To-Do List?
Our Hopes in Early 2020
We had no idea in the JAN-MAR 2020 timeframe who would be the US President by this time. We hoped it would be just about anyone except He Whose Name Shall Not Be Spoken. With that hope in mind, this blog listed, over a period of the first quarter of 2020, a set of goals that we hoped a new administration would pursue. One list was of legislative goals, the other a list of political reforms.
Join the discussion at: A Year Ago, We Set Out Benchmarks for a New Administration
A Two-Part Review of Lower and Higher Education in America
Education’s Unique Role in American History
Over the long term, there might be some things more important for the future of this country than education, but we would be hard pressed to make the case for what is more important. America was founded as a country of opportunity and freedom. Where we have failed to meet those goals, it is often because we have failed to provide decent education. Where we have seen inspiring examples of people rising to their full potential, education has usually been a defining factor for success.
Two M’s + one N Spell Some Interesting Conclusions
Today We Wander a Bit
Three unconnected thoughts seemed to fill my head over the last few days and so I thought I might share them with you. Let’s talk about Two M’s (Mechanics and Morality) and a single N (Nunes). Here we go.
M for Mechanics
Like much of America, I have been interested in the discussion about Senate mechanics, especially but not exclusively the filibuster. It seems pretty clear that throughout our history,
