A space for observation, discovery, and growth
For the First Time in this Blog I am Linking a Single Document – Read It
I Have Something for You
Regular readers know that I often make reference to other articles, documents, and videos, encouraging you to read them to learn more about the topic at hand. Today we take that a step further.
I am going to say very little about this document, except to say that I think it is extraordinary and well worth your time to peruse. We are in a time of great turmoil and challenge in our country.
This is a Singular Moment – Two Earlier Movements Offer Encouragement and Risk
We Have Been Here Before – or Have We?
As Condoleezza Rice recently noted,
“In the wake of Floyd’s death, Americans and people around the world are experiencing shock, grief, outrage — a set of emotions that too often are repeated. If the past is a guide, these feelings will fade, and we will return to our lives. But something tells me — not this time. Floyd’s horrific death should be enough to finally move us to positive action.”
Maybe.
And I Hate Doing It
What It Means to Be an American Military Officer
I spent much of my adult life in the US Army. It is an institution I love and respect, and by extension, I feel the same about all the armed services and the civilians that support them. One of the things that has always been most meaningful to me is that every member of every armed force, no matter their rank, takes the same oath of allegiance. It is to the constitution. Not to the government, certainly not to the president,
Join the discussion at: This is a Blog Post I Never Thought I Would Have to Make
If We Cannot Make Progress on This, Much Else Will Never Get Right
Here We Are
Once again, we sit in front of our TVs and watch our nation burn. We have been here before, and surely will again. This time has some important differences, as well as some timeless evil.
That there are racial disparities in the dispensing of law enforcement and justice should not be a surprise to anyone by now. Although some resisted the terminology and the messaging, the Black Lives Matter movement has done much to educate the rest of us in preparation for this moment.
Join the discussion at: The Problem with Policing Is Even Worse Than You Think
Take a Relook at Some Great Commercials
TV Commercials are a Part of American Life
They reflect our culture. Sometimes they shape our culture. This is true as well in other countries (we will do a blog on these soon), but the whole idea of a commercial becoming an icon started here.
It is not hard to come up with a Best Of list. The internet has hundreds of such lists. And I would agree with most of them. They are entertaining and memorable. We all have some permanently in our memory,
Join the discussion at: It’s Friday! How About Something a Little Lighter Today?
A Wish List for the Day After the Inauguration
Where are We?
I hope you had a pleasant Memorial Day, and that you reflected on what that day means. A lot of what we talk about rests on that foundation of dedication and sacrifice.
Last week I shared with you five of my top ten goals for the Biden administration to pursue. Most of the big items are likely to get done in the first 12-18 months, and not many thereafter. Because of that political reality, setting priorities and timing is essential.
Keep in mind what order all these come in depends on how the election turns out all the way down the ticket.
Join the discussion at: A To Do List for January 21st – Part II
Two Articles Broke My Heart but They Need to Be Read. Our Friends are Worried About Us.
On my last posting, earlier this week, I shared some editorial cartoons that, as I noted, gave me some laughs, made me angry, made me think. Exactly what such a thing should accomplish. And it seems you agreed. We got a few comments and lots of email about how much we all enjoyed the change and a bit of light heartedness. Goodness knows we could all use a bit of that.
Today, I regret to say I cannot be so lighthearted,
Join the discussion at: Last Time Out We Shared Some Laughs. Now the Other Side
Because These Days, If You Can’t Laugh, You Might Cry Instead
The Sword Disguised as Pen
The art of the political or editorial cartoon is a fine and long-standing tradition. It has been a mainstay of American politics since our founding days. This art form actually predates this country by a long time. It seems that the ability to make fun of the high and mighty is a cherished tradition going back centuries.
We have been dealing with some pretty grim circumstances of late. And that was before the pandemic! Today, we will take a break and enjoy some of the better cartoons I have seen in recent weeks.
We Looked at Me/We and Freedom/Community. Where Did We End Up?
Earlier this week, we looked at sometimes competing values as we fight the pandemic. We have been in this thing long enough now to come to some conclusions. But before we do that, a slight diversion. Let’s talk about dreams.
Dreams About the Pandemic
Others have noted that more frequent and more vivid dreams seem to be a byproduct of all this isolation. It appears I have succumbed to this symptom. I have recently had two dreams on judging how we are doing as a people.
America is Having an Internal Search. Who are we? What Do We Value?
America Looks for Itself, in Itself
As the pandemic rolls through America, interesting characteristics are arising. They are arising for individuals and collectively. We find ourselves highlighting sometimes very different aspects of our values. Some are just different; some are in conflict.
This is not a new phenomenon. Like a collective Diogenes, we periodically seek to define who we are and what we stand for. But it is more important than ever this time. We must decide what are our national values and priorities going forward.
Join the discussion at: Is it Me or is it We? Is it Freedom or is it Community? All of the Above?
