My mother was not averse to washing my mouth out with soap. I should define that as a mouth that spoke four letter words, dirty words, as they were called. Sometimes a hairbrush came flying at me and my brothers for being ugly to each other. The ultimate challenge was avoiding a swat with her … More Who Is teaching our children?
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?
The other night I watched a summary film of the Ken Burns documentary on the Vietnam War. Having been there during the war I thought it should be interesting to see. Like so many Vietnam Veterans we didn’t talk much about it after returning home. After the screening of the Burns summary four Vietnam Veterans … More Thank You, Good Buddy, Ken
America 1967 saw civil rights marches, some displayed on the evening news how brutal the fight against racial discrimination had become. The headlines on racial issues diminished, not because the problem was eliminated, but because protests against the Vietnam War had come to the fore front. Many white people viewed the civil rights movement as … More Looking For America
After reading numerous letters to the editor in support of President Trump and some legislators, I ask myself do these people personally know Mr Trump and their legislators? The letters generally don’t question policies but rather are more personal. Letters that state these people are doing a great job. They are helping people as they … More People Not Politics
Superman on TV in the 1950’s began with a call for Truth, Justice and the American Way. We understood truth. We had learned George Washington never told a lie. Maybe we might fib a little but lie was a big thing and not to be treated lightly. If caught lying a punishment was expected and … More Superman Is Simply Tired
Latin was taught in high school not so many years ago. In fact two years of such study was standard. What did we learn and who cares? The study of Latin was in fact helpful throughout my life from language studies to the history of World War II and how the Roman legions provided a … More Remind Me Again, How Did Rome Fall?
The Stars and Stripes is a symbol of our country. This symbol is affixed to many things, flagpoles, ship’s masts, sides of boxes carrying goods to the needy and even the not so needy and on our government buildings. The flag as a lapel pin is very popular particularly among politicians. Being an elected official … More Who’s Holding The Flag High?
Sitting in the restaurant there was music playing ever so low in the background. It wouldn’t interfere with normal conversation nor was it in any way disruptive. This one song sounded vaguely familiar. I could hear the melody and a few words as we ate and talked. Slowly I recognized the song playing in the … More Big Iron On His Hip
Those of us either approaching or recently having slipped past our seventh decade can readily recall the sixties. This was an era in conflict with one that had preceded it. It was a rejection of the accepted norms. Young people were motivated by the times as much as trying to create the times. Our hair … More Our American Odyssey
Phil's Personal Perspectives 