Wars often have an accidental beginning. History demonstrates this to us. Do our leaders acknowledge that? In my earlier days perhaps motivated by self interest I studied the US entry, as a nation, into the Vietnam conflict. Did our leaders actually visualize a monolithic communism, comprised of various countries, spreading their unified tentacles across the … More Containment Forgotten/Accidental Wars
The words resonating from the Christmas story are “be not afraid” in conjunction the Greek word for love-plus “agape.“ These words for me date back to my early childhood and have been repeated over the years emanating from different churches. There should be no room for interpretation irrespective of the denomination. No wiggle room exists … More The Twilight of Fear and Truth
America as a democracy struggles intensely. Elected members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives have created an allegiance to a extremist group still claiming the Republican label but essentially a political party divided within itself. The dominant remnant of this group proclaims an extreme right agenda and follows a leader with no … More Life isn’t what it used to be
Visiting Seattle was a treat if only for three days. Where I currently reside is a smaller city, about 50,000 residents, but it’s not just the population size that differs from Seattle. The attitude of the people in smaller places should scream we need to help each other, we can do better by cooperating and … More Humanity Among The Concrete Spires
Sometime in the early 60’s the teenage students sat in class with a radio located in the principal’s office blaring through the school intercom Each classroom had a separate speaker for the morning announcements. This day the students were fixated on the voice emanating from the speaker. The students were fairly evenly divided both Anglo … More The Roadway Beacon
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
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
Making America great isn’t what someone can do, it’s actually who we are. We need to look through the current rhetoric which is very much an either/or proposition. It seems that a person must not only support some policy or position in the current times, there needs to be a loyalty which translates into for … More Remembering American Greatness
Signs along the road, in front of houses, store windows, they’re everywhere. A name followed by an elected office with a support or elect or re-elect is commonplace as we head into the 2018 midterm elections. So many signs that say so little. As if I believe what you believe is the directive to the … More Down The Up Ladder
My world, our world, has changed. Perhaps gradually but it seemed so suddenly or perhaps we just didn’t notice it passing. Many things we took as a given aren’t any more. Education or school was simpler. Walk there, maybe dad drops you off, one car families, many moms didn’t drive, as I recollect. After school … More Where Have All The Knights Gone?
Phil's Personal Perspectives 