The President-Elect is a businessman. In fact he and his family have business interests the world over. This is great for a businessman but not so much for an elected official. This situation leads to the appearance of and actual conflicts of interest. I won’t waste your time reiterating the obvious. This potential for conflicts … More Just A Matter Of Trust
My wife and I were seated in the hotel lounge when four older gentlemen dressed in tuxedos with top hats approached and asked if we wanted to hear a Christmas carol. Naturally we replied yes and the quartet proceeded to sing. We along with others in the lounge area thanked them and applauded. Still early … More Silent Night
The language in the presidential election wreaks. The talk of the size of body parts and who wants to do whom is or should be beneath anyone over twelve never mind running for public office. Then there are the outright lies, not exaggerations just lies, totally made up nonsense. Add to this the media which … More Anger And Dignity
People talk of Mr. Trump as a Washington outsider. He is not a politician is how the story goes. Nothing could be further from being correct. A new highrise on the waterfront, a new Wal-Mart coming on the edge of town, a new giant shopping center are major issues at the local level of government. … More Outsider-In
September, 1967 I somewhat apprehensively boarded a plane which would deliver me and many others to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. My service with the US Army had just begun. Myself and so many others had and still make similar trips. The Vietnam War was raging, street protests were a daily occurrence and the military draft … More Coming Home
We all have preconceived notions and prejudices that we carry through life. These can be baggage that serves to weigh us down and in other instances be helpful and uplifting. Absence may make the heart grow fonder but distance, physical separation, can make a heart indifferent or harsher. This is not a love story or … More It’s Kind of Hard To Hate
I try to read as much as time allows, the local newspaper, national newspapers, material on the various web sites, some television and NPR on the radio. My attempt is to review each with a skeptic’s approach and not a cynical one. In this election year the Presidential election is in the forefront. Generally most … More My Opinion
We read lately quite a bit about the deplorables. The Arab-Israeli Conflict could have been resolved peacefully yesterday but we hear of the Hillary comments and Trump lies. Who decides what is worthy of print or broadcast remains a mystery to me. “All the news that is fit to print” doesn’t get printed and some … More Not Sold At The Trump Tower
You have to believe in people, that’s all we have, is a line at the end of a commercial for a television series. Current times make this belief most difficult. How do we at least view, since many of us don’t read, the constant messaging which seems to say look out for number one. The … More Believe In People, They’re All We Have
Being philosophical and maudlin are not my mindset but I do want to be reflective. A few years ago I saw the movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance.” I don’t recall it receiving any special acclaim but I enjoyed it and recommend it. It addresses the concept of time and has a theological underpinning. This … More Only A Moment Ago
Phil's Personal Perspectives 