Open space is essential for any community but is the public buying land for open space a rational way to regulate development and keep growth orderly? Are there other options that work to both provide open space and distribute density? Growth equates to development, more houses, apartments, roads and traffic. Those are only some of … More Growing Separately Together
Is the party over – the Republican Party that is? This is not a description to demean but rather to warn of the demise of the current Republican Party through a review of the significant detours which it has taken. Political parties are not necessarily permanent political fixtures. Parties endure as long as they alter … More Is the party over – the Republican Party that is? (6 min read)
Is Public Education “Woke”? Improving education is the claim of elected types across America. They’ll have a fight on their hands by extremists who see public education as a dragon to be slain, which is sad because it’s actually a knight in shining armor. (CDA Press). What do the extremists across our country hope to … More Is Public Education “Woke”?
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
Many small cities are growing in response to the movement from larger urban areas due to people seeking a less congested life style or perhaps remote workers seeking more affordable housing. Current residents often view this as problematic. Blaming and complaining about growth without accepting the responsibility of providing a solution is not acceptable. Saying you … More Growing Better
Driving along a major interstate highway I could not help but see the super size American flag waving on a extra high pole needed to accommodate its height and width. I never saw such flags while in the military or on government buildings. As I drove past where the flag was located I saw it … More Raising Old Glory
Where is the great divide and what is this fear? Democracy has been rejuvenated in America. When tallied Americans will have cast around 150 million votes in person, absentee and mail in. This turnout despite major efforts to limit minority voting, reduced times for early voting including a most blatant attack on voting by physically … More The Great Divide-Voting Out Of Fear
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
This scene is so reminiscent of the Vietnam that I experienced so many years ago. The dress, the work load seems to come to life in this photo. Perhaps back then many of us saw this lifestyle as primitive or backward. Now I see this as a less frazzled way to live. Don’t get me … More Morning on the streets of Hanoi, Vietnam
Phil's Personal Perspectives 