Search Results for: So, Where to Now, America

The Good, the Bad and the Hopeful

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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.

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A Modest Gift

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A Little Change of Pace for the Next Blog Post

 

You Deserve a Gift for the New Year

We, you and I, have been in this conversation for some time now. Some of us for quite a long run. Hard to believe this blog has logged in 400 posts (!) since we started this thing. Happily, it has been very much a two-way conversation, although I would welcome even more of that – I find what you are thinking to be consistently interesting, thoughtful, and worthy of sharing with others.

To date,

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

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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.

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Two Areas Where Media is Dropping the Ball

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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.

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Yes, I Said Happy Holidays. You Should, Too

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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,

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It’s Thanksgiving Week – How About a Little Fun for the Holiday?

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Sharing Two of My Favorite Holiday Laughs

Art Buchwald Explains Thanksgiving to the French

This is something of a tradition on this blog – a posting I repeat every Thanksgiving. If you read it before, feel free to read it again. I must have read it 50 times by now and I still love it. The Washington Post and others also reprint it during the season, year after year.

Many, many years ago the great humorist, satirist, and all-around human being Art Buchwald was a young reporter living in Paris, writing for the Herald Tribune.

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Items of Note Over the Last Few Days

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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.

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The Problems with Names and Pronouns

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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:

  • When people get married, I think they should be able to call themselves pretty well anything they like. That is their business.
  • When someone has issues of gender identity and related concerns I support them trying to wrestle this to a solution,

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Why Halloween Was a Big Deal This Year

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Probably More So for Adults Than Kids

 

The Evolution of Halloween

Halloween has been around for a long time, in one form or another. Much of this is rooted in more ancient celebrations that are generally known as All Souls Day. This earlier celebration goes back at least 3,000-4,000 years in a number of cultures.

In Mexico, the belief is that on midnight the 30th of October, the souls of the departed come back for a brief visit. Relatives go all out making alters and laying out food and other items to welcome them back,

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The Passing of Colin Powell Merits Reflection by All of Us

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He would be the first to say Life is Complicated- And Its All Connected

An Extraordinary American Has Left Us

Colin Powell’s passing has led to a steady flow of 1:1 stories and reflections on his life that remind us all of some important things. You could have zero background or interest in military or diplomatic affairs, and yet learn much from Powell’s life. I certainly have done so.

The Many Roles of Colin Powell

 Powell saw himself first and foremost as an American. To him, that title carried with it special advantages and specific obligations.

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