Category: Society

What Would You Put in a Time Capsule?

1 Comment on What Would You Put in a Time Capsule?

The History of These is Fascinating

 

Why Do These Things?

They seem to have some popularity throughout the ages. One could even say they are… timeless.

Time capsules have been in the news lately. Not one, but two were found under a statue of Robert E. Lee that was recently removed in Virginia. Here in my hometown, one was unearthed a few months ago, also from a site that once hosted a statue of a civil war figure.

It is not hard to find news items and historical write ups around the world and through the ages of such capsules being implanted,

Join the discussion at: What Would You Put in a Time Capsule?

The Good, the Bad and the Hopeful

5 Comments on The Good, the Bad and the Hopeful

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.

Join the discussion at: The Good, the Bad and the Hopeful

It’s Time for a Favorite Holiday

1 Comment on It’s Time for a Favorite Holiday

No, Not That One Next Saturday. The One Today.

 

 Tis the Season – For All Kinds of Celebrations

As has been noted earlier in this space, this seems to be the time of year that people and cultures all over the world choose to celebrate some larger-than-life theme. From Thanksgiving to Christmas to Hannukah to Eid to Kwanza to Diwali, to New Year’s Day, and more.

Something like 19 major holidays are celebrated world-wide in the late NOV-early JAN time frame, and countless more withing individual societies. And that does not even count those like National Doughnut Day or Stout Day!

Join the discussion at: It’s Time for a Favorite Holiday

Animals in Our Lives, and We in Theirs

4 Comments on Animals in Our Lives, and We in Theirs

This is as Magic a Relationship as Can Be – If You Have One, Revel In It

Christmas Came a Bit Early in Our Home This Year

The picture you see at the opening of this posting is of Bonnie, the newest member of our family. Bonnie is an 8-year-old border collie who was in need of a new home just about the time we were looking to adopt. The universe lined up, and here we are together. Nice.

Friends who read this blog will know that we lost our beloved Lizzy the Lab a year and a half ago.

Join the discussion at: Animals in Our Lives, and We in Theirs

So, I Was Thinking About a Few Things

Leave a Comment on So, I Was Thinking About a Few Things

Some Loose Ends as the Year Draws Toward a Close

December Reflections – Not Exactly Santa’s List But Here We Go

It is that time of year wherein we are all prone to start thinking about the year that is almost over, and the one about to knock on our door. In that spirit, five things to reflect upon, in good and bad news categories, are rattling around in my head of late. Let’s take a look.

The Economy – Especially Inflation: Take a Deep Breath

It seems hard to get people at large to recognize it,

Join the discussion at: So, I Was Thinking About a Few Things

Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are Brilliant and Insightful – But Terrible Bosses

Leave a Comment on Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are Brilliant and Insightful – But Terrible Bosses

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

Two Areas Where Media is Dropping the Ball

8 Comments on Two Areas Where Media is Dropping the Ball

We Need Better Than This

About That Whole “Fourth Branch of Government” Thing

From its earliest days, America – well, some Americans, anyway – have recognized the importance of a free and responsible press to democracy. We all know the famous lines from Jefferson, wherein he stated that if he had to choose between a society with no press or one with no government, he would choose the latter. The press, media today, is that important to an informed citizenry.

Today, let’s talk a bit about the mainstream press, not social media.

Join the discussion at: Two Areas Where Media is Dropping the Ball

Yes, I Said Happy Holidays. You Should, Too

Leave a Comment on Yes, I Said Happy Holidays. You Should, Too

Why That is The Best – Most American – of Seasonal Greetings

 

The War That Never Was

We generally recognize by now that there is an unholy coalition of politicized evangelicals, talk radio/social media and FFN (Fox Fake News – my new moniker for them) that thrive on whipping up their audience into a state of anger and victimhood.

Several years ago, this bunch came upon the Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas greeting and they struck gold. It whipped up a might froth among their masses and so, every year we hear again and again that saying Happy Holidays is a wrongful attack on Christianity,

Join the discussion at: Yes, I Said Happy Holidays. You Should, Too

Care for Some More Good News?

Leave a Comment on Care for Some More Good News?

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.

Join the discussion at: Care for Some More Good News?

Items of Note Over the Last Few Days

1 Comment on Items of Note Over the Last Few Days

Five Things That Caught My Eye Last Week – Some Good, Some Not

Timing

Whoever first said that “timing is everything” sure had a point. As we noted earlier, if the Infrastructure Bill had passed a month or two earlier, it’s possible that the incoming governor of VA would be a Democrat. Similarly, if the pandemic continues to stubbornly continue in several hot zones and if inflation stays at its current pace, the administration could run out of time to convince people the country is on a good course. Which reminds me:

Messaging

The Biden administration has done a lot of things well but getting their message out has not been one of them.

Join the discussion at: Items of Note Over the Last Few Days