Can you imagine a written constitution with a bill of rights in 1776? Unheard of then and a rarity even today. That document, the Constitution of the United States of America, created one of the greatest, if not the greatest, society the world has known. Other factors in addition to our constitution made this possible … More The Rise of America
Several years ago around July 4th I was visiting Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Sitting at Independence Point enjoying the view a man comes up on an electric three wheel scooter called a roundabout not the ones we see today. He wore a light jacket with a Vietnam War reference on it. Judging by his age he … More Arlington Matters
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
Another DC-8 stretch jet accelerating along the runway, the pilot decides all OK to climb, the wheels lift off the runway at Cam Ranh Bay as the sounds from inside echo to those still behind or just arriving. Not a one of us thought this a country we liberated but our year was complete. Heading … More A King of Some Fools
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
President Trump now claims ownership of America’s longest war in Afghanistan. This may result in his pride in ownership or not. Although I did not and do not support many of his positions, I sincerely want him to have a successful Presidency. If his administration succeeds then America will also be better. It was 1969 … More The “Big Muddy” Still
Phil's Personal Perspectives 