Category: Society

Good News and Bad News – There is a Mix is Out There

2 Comments on Good News and Bad News – There is a Mix is Out There

Sometimes the Headlines Miss the Full Story

As The Saying Goes…

We have good news, and we have bad news. There has been much of late to lament, for sure. But there has been no small amount of good news as well. The latter often gets a pass in the headlines. I thought it might be helpful to call out some of the high notes and low points in current events.

The National Guard as Guns for Hire

This week’s, maybe this century’s, award for the single worst idea anyone at any level of government has ever thought of – ever.

Join the discussion at: Good News and Bad News – There is a Mix is Out There

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

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


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,

Join the discussion at: Mixed Emotions on the 4th of July? That is Very American

Hey! Did You See This?

Leave a Comment on Hey! Did You See This?

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,

Join the discussion at: Hey! Did You See This?

Getting Policing Right is About as Important as It Gets

2 Comments on Getting Policing Right is About as Important as It Gets

I Am Not Giving Up, But I am Not Optimistic

Why This Is So Important

No one can accuse this blog of only doing easy topics. Policing is one this space has addressed before and will surely revisit again after today. This is a seriously important topic for more than any one obvious reason.

Justice and Trust – A large portion of the American citizenry feels far more threatened than protected by the police. They have little expectation of fairness or justice from the police. Thanks to the spreading use of body cameras and the ever-present smart phone,

Join the discussion at: Getting Policing Right is About as Important as It Gets

Psst! Hey, Catholic Bishops – Can We Talk?

7 Comments on Psst! Hey, Catholic Bishops – Can We Talk?

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?

Curiosity vs Relaxation

Leave a Comment on Curiosity vs Relaxation

In the War for My Mind, Relaxation Never Stood a Chance.

 

Picture Yourself in This Scenario

You and another person are sitting around, say first thing in the morning. A topic comes up that leads to a question neither of you know the answer to at the moment. One of you will file that question away and sometime in the coming days likely will look it up online. It is in a category of mull it over and when it is convenient, look it up. After all, its early. We have not even had a morning cup of coffee yet.

Join the discussion at: Curiosity vs Relaxation

Ever Notice That Guns and Inoculations Have Something in Common?

Leave a Comment on Ever Notice That Guns and Inoculations Have Something in Common?

No, It’s Not the Word “Shots”

 

Looking for Balance – or Choosing Not to Do So

It should be fairly obvious that questions around gun ownership and vaccinations touch on major issues of personal liberty and community responsibility. Not either – both. And yet, the debate has been so long and so rancorous on one of these (guns), that people tend to move immediately to an all or nothing position. Given the divisions in the nation in the post Trump era, the same thing has quickly come to the arguments about requiring or expecting vaccinations.

Join the discussion at: Ever Notice That Guns and Inoculations Have Something in Common?

You Say You Love Your Country? OK – Let’s See What That Means

Leave a Comment on You Say You Love Your Country? OK – Let’s See What That Means

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 About a Happy Story of a Tech Company Doing Right by People?

1 Comment on How About a Happy Story of a Tech Company Doing Right by People?

Proof Positive That One Can Do Good, Make a Profit, and Serve the Public

 

First, a Reminder of What We Don’t Like

By now, we all know that pretty much everything we do on Facebook and on Google (and its various entities) is tracked and fed into various tools designed to feed us ads more likely to ring a bell with us. In principle, not a terrible thing. It could be helpful to get ads more relevant to our interests.

But there surely is a dark side. We have no transparency and very little say over what is recorded about us,

Join the discussion at: How About a Happy Story of a Tech Company Doing Right by People?

About That Bipartisan Goal – Forget it

Leave a Comment on About That Bipartisan Goal – Forget it

The Republicans Have Made Their Stance Clear – And the Clock is Ticking

 

How Important is Bipartisanship?

Well, that is an interesting question – depends on who you ask. Generically, most people would, in a neutral setting, say it counts and they would like to see it as a part of governance. Makes sense in a complex society, doesn’t it? But we are not in a neutral environment and have not been for some time.

Joe Biden certainly thinks it is important. It is in his DNA. Decades of experience tell him big things can be done in a solid manner when bipartisan legislation is passed.

Join the discussion at: About That Bipartisan Goal – Forget it