Semi retired, reside in Florida and Idaho. Career in government and the private sector as a land use planning consultant.
In these current times we turn to government for help despite years of criticizing it, under funding it and complaining about it. Government, as Americans we love to hate it. The usuals suspects are it costs too much and doesn’t deliver the proper services, it’s too big and intrudes into our lives, over regulates us … More Government Matters
Pandemic seems to be such a scary word. Globalization is a word which creates fear for some people as well. Perhaps the fear of the word pandemic is justified. The fear or perhaps rejection of globalization is based on prejudice to some extent. The concept that we make such and such a product and it’s … More New York Times Is Worth Every Penny
Years ago in college I needed three science credits to graduate. After pushing it off for a couple of years my judgement day was rapidly closing in. Biology, chemistry and the like were not an area where I had excelled in high school. Excelled, hell I barely got through. After studying the college course listings … More Geography 101 to Covid-19
Generally I write my own thoughts to post on my blog. Sometimes we are better by reading others particularly in the current times. Panic buying needs to stop and calm prevail. This situation is difficult for us all, worse for some but together we can get through it. Wirecutter 5 Ways to Help Your Community … More 5 Ways To Help
This article in today’s New York Times displays the courage and importance of journalists. In China getting the news out is risky business. Although we have some courageous journalists in the US too often getting the news out is primarily business. As China Cracks Down on Coronavirus Coverage, Journalists Fight Back The Communist Party is … More Journalists Matter
If you recall Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 50s used his political podium to challenge good Americans claiming they were communist sympathizers. His war against good people went on until he went after the military. At that point the public said no Senator Joe that’s as far as you go. We may be at a … More Remember McCarthy, Think Yonanovitch
My family saw education as the way to reach our concept of middle class. We didn’t see our selves as rich but sought a quality lifestyle, a decent job, a car, a house, some vacation money and a bit extra for any emergency. My father said get a good education, no one can take it … More School Funding Is Essential
After reading an article in the newspaper about Mr. Rogers, these thoughts came to mind. Perhaps we all or at least some of us, myself included, need to look at ourselves in a mirror. Who do see? What do we see? Is that the face of the person we are or the one we want … More Courage Doesn’t Need A Loud Voice
This was posted in March of 2017. It seems more relevant now. Calling for a wall that essentially has minimal or no purpose because it was a campaign pledge is ridiculous at best. The campaign promise included how the wall would be paid for. Forcing American workers to suffer economic hardship and harming our economy … More A Tale of Three Walls
The local newspaper ran an article on a political candidate seeking office. The reporter was doing his job, reporting. As is often the case nowadays the local paper can be read on-line and comments can be made on-line. One comment stated that the candidate was an extremist type candidate. The reporter replied that he understands … More Media Matters
Phil's Personal Perspectives 