Thursday, August 18, 2011

Maybe the "old days" were "good"

Back when I was growing up...in the 50's and 60's, the world was different.  It wasn't just the lack of computers or smart phones or CD/DVD players.  Economically it was different too.  Better, I think.


I recall, I think it was in the seventh grade, when our math teacher introduced us to the general concepts of the stock market.  It was, admittedly, limited to a pretty big picture, but then lots of things were simpler back then.  In any case, there are a couple things I distinctly remember about what Mr. Larson taught us.

Monday, August 15, 2011

People with a severe Multiple Personality Disorder

Mitt Romney and I are probably miles apart politically.  That's okay.  In a democracy, that's allowed.  In fact, it's even encouraged.  We need ideas from all sides, and for me, an idea doesn't come with Right or Left attached.  It could be a great idea regardless of who suggested it, and, candidly, it might truly suck even if someone close to my heart came up with it.  Such is Democracy.

However, that said, sometimes I hear things that simply make no sense.  In this case, it was Mitt, suggesting that companies, or corporations, are just people.

Friday, August 12, 2011

It's about Leadership.....

Leadership is one of those things.  Like the statement made famous by Associate Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, most of us would be hard pressed to define it, but agree I know it when I see it.  Lately, however, what we've seen is its absence.  Sadly, it's gone AWOL.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

What I learned in the Boy Scouts

Many years ago, I was a Boy Scout.  In fact, not that it matters, I'm an Eagle Scout.  So is my son, which doesn't matter at all, but I'm very proud of his accomplishments too.  Anyway, the Boy Scouts taught me many things.  There's that motto:  Be Prepared!  That's still pretty good advice.

More specifically, I'm thinking right now about what I learned about getting (or being) lost.  The first, and most important lesson, was this...

As soon as you "discover" you're lost, stop moving.

Friday, August 5, 2011

The new Vietnam

If you're old enough to remember those times, or if you've read your history, you probably know that Vietnam was a mess.  Regardless of how it began, and unrelated to any greater Cold War issues, the fact remains that we sent our military off to war with a mission that couldn't help but fail.  As it was later defined, we were trying to win hearts and minds, and you can't do that with guns and bombs.

Today, we're seeing the same gameplan played out yet again, and yet again, those advocating that process haven't figured it out.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

The FAA and Republicans...a confusing contradiction

In the past weeks we've witnessed a complete breakdown of the politics of compromise.  One side would, but couldn't...because the other side wouldn't.  At all!  Never!

It might be easy to understand an uncompromising position based upon principles, even if it means stupid things result, but how can we understand a position that directly contradicts other positions taken by the same people.  The current situation with the FAA highlights how the Republican Party has utterly failed to maintain it's own standards, let alone what's best for the American people.