On Transparency: The Power of Shared Stories

I feel like everyone is kind of coming out of a period of hibernation as we enter this new year, speaking truths that have laid dormant for quite a while. We endured such a period of censorship that now podcasters and journalists are swinging in the opposite direction, more expressive, controversial and in your faceContinue reading “On Transparency: The Power of Shared Stories”

Revamping the Broken US Education System

Talking with a teacher friend of mine this weekend provided great insight into a clearly broken system. As background, recall that the current US public educational system stems from the efforts of devoted self proclaimed democratists Horace Mann and John Dewey. As Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, Mann championed the idea of โ€œcommonContinue reading “Revamping the Broken US Education System”

Our Kids

Today I was thinking on the issue of so many kids having issues in school, with ADHD, autism, sensory issues, allergies, and every condition in between. In essence, having a student with issues in the school system has basically become the norm. At first I hypothesized in my conspiratorially minded way that the parents, andContinue reading “Our Kids”

Wisdom ๐Ÿ’ฌ๐Ÿ’Ž

The South wanted slaves to count as full persons for voting purposes. The North wanted them to count as 3/5. Is this because the North thought less of blacks than the South? No. It is because the North was so against slavery they wanted the practice to end. Counting slaves as full persons would haveContinue reading “Wisdom ๐Ÿ’ฌ๐Ÿ’Ž”

Hurricanes Part 2 ๐ŸŒ€๐Ÿ’ฆ

Hurricanes are a bitch. Always on the horizon during hurricane season when you live in the Southwest, mostly false alarms, they are disruptive to the spirit and schedule, but when they hit like Ian did they are a catastrophic nightmare, rending untold loss. The strange part isโ€ฆbefore and after the bright sun and clear blueContinue reading “Hurricanes Part 2 ๐ŸŒ€๐Ÿ’ฆ”

Hurricane ๐ŸŒ€

I am reflecting on Hurricane Irma, the only other hurricane I have lived through since moving to Florida, as Hurricane Ian approaches. At that time I was still married. This time around I have been single for 4 years. We evacuated to the panhandle then. Today my girls and I are riding it out inContinue reading “Hurricane ๐ŸŒ€”

On Tattoos ๐ŸŽจ

I am excited to bring you a blog post by a guest author for the very first time!! I was so interested upon hearing this perspective in a conversation that I immediately asked my friend Frances to write an article explaining it. To me it represents a very middle of the road and sensible approachContinue reading “On Tattoos ๐ŸŽจ”

Thoughts on the Tuskegee and Holocaust Experiments, Experimental Vaccines and the First Amendment

Do you recall the Tuskegee Syphillis Experiment/โ€œStudyโ€? It was a project that spanned 1932-72 wherein a group of poor black men with syphillis were observed and told they were being treated for โ€œbad bloodโ€. No informed consent was obtained and they were not provided with the treatment of the day which toward the end ofContinue reading “Thoughts on the Tuskegee and Holocaust Experiments, Experimental Vaccines and the First Amendment”

Thought and Comment on Afghanistan

This is not about whether or not America should have had troops in Afghanistan now if ever. It is not about whether it is right for the US to consistently include democracy building in its engagement goals. The fact is if your โ€œfriendโ€ did to you what Biden has done to our allies you wouldContinue reading “Thought and Comment on Afghanistan”