Smart phones. Just the name tells us we’re dealing with something designed to dispel any antiquated notions we may have about telephones and their original purpose. Had we been told 20 years ago that such a lightweight, rectangular chunk of technology could do the things smart phones routinely do many of us would have scoffed, imagining a Jetsons-like future which (more…)
Archive for the ‘Observations and Commentary’ Category
phoning it in
Posted: September 13, 2012 in Humorous Bits, Observations and CommentaryTags: communication, conversation, future, humor, humour, iPhone, life, phones, progress, smart phones, society, technology, telephones
the end of meaningful discourse
Posted: September 4, 2012 in Observations and CommentaryTags: America, campaign, debate, discourse, politics, society
It is no surprise we seem to be fast reaching the end of meaningful discourse and debate in the United States, at least during the political campaign season. Any shred of dignity which those running for office may try to cling to (or at least the illusion of such) is constantly torpedoed by people who seem to believe forthright discussion about real solutions is not the answer. What counts is total humiliation (more…)
power playtime
Posted: August 21, 2012 in Observations and CommentaryTags: Cincinnati, David Smith, decisions, diploma, graduation, high school, life, Marlon Styles, Oklahoma, power, Prague, setting examples
Give people a taste of power, no matter how minor or illusionary, and things will inevitably turn pretty wacky. The combustible mixture of a self-inflated sense of importance and a stunning lack of perspective leads some folks to strap on the Crazy Hat, completely unaware they live in the asylum and do not run it. They need to be reminded a comfortable room with a pretty view of the valley (more…)
the ryan factor
Posted: August 19, 2012 in Observations and CommentaryTags: election, news, Paul Ryan, politics, Republican, vote
The GOP’s base has been energized by the inclusion of Paul Ryan to the ticket as Mitt Romney’s Vice Presidential candidate. The renewed sense of purpose among some Republicans is palatable. They are of the belief that Ryan is the serum to what ails the Romney campaign and, more importantly, the country. Finally, the right person is on the national ticket, the one who represents what the party is really about, the one who will help (more…)
hey yo! thou shalt enter stage left
Posted: July 30, 2012 in Observations and CommentaryTags: Bible, faith, life, religion, rewrite!, The Voice
So a passel of enterprising souls thought it time to publish a retranslated version of The Bible, something a little more palatable to our impatient and non-understanding American sensibilities. Is there a better way to help the guide the aimless than reissue The Bible – you know, The Word of God – as part novel, part screenplay? That is exactly (more…)
between a rock and a pissed off place
Posted: July 7, 2012 in Observations and CommentaryTags: America, Chris Rock, life, pissed off, racism, Twitter
Apparently I am missing out on all the fun because I am not on Twitter. On July 4th Chris Rock, the comedian, tweeted the following.
“Happy white peoples independence day the slaves weren’t free but I’m sure they enjoyed fireworks.”
Oh boy, did that piss off the Twitterverse and beyond!
It is not spilling state secrets saying this country, like many others, has a dismal history regarding (more…)
The New Colossus
Posted: July 4, 2012 in Observations and CommentaryTags: America, Ellis Island, freedom, Independence Day, July 4th, Photography, Statue of Liberty, The New Colossus
Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame (more…)
cool stuff
Posted: July 2, 2012 in Observations and CommentaryTags: 1972, computers, digital, encyclopedia, information, perspective, World Book
I’m a sucker for old encyclopedias. The older, the better. I love looking at how things were perceived years ago, what people thought was vital enough to include in this compendium of important stuff. What merited inclusion, how much space it was granted, and what was the general knowledge around the topic? Not only that, the old photos are (more…)
it is smart to know your limits
Posted: June 30, 2012 in Observations and CommentaryTags: America, democracy, expertise, health care, law, SCOTUS, Supreme Court, United States
All across America people are dancing in the streets while others are decrying the end of country they love. In case you missed it this past Thursday the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) rendered a 5-4 decision to uphold the “Affordable Care Act.” The details of the ruling are complex and shoot down the President’s argument this bill is not a tax. Yet the bottom line is (more…)
Trask Avenue 
whatever brings you peace
Posted: September 15, 2012 in Observations and Commentary, PhotographyTags: appreciation, blessings, contentment, life, peace, Photography
whatever brings you peace
The political climate in America, magnified by the ensuing Presidential election, is such that normally sane, reasonable people now display such rancid bitterness one immediately suspects rabies has entered the house or, even more tantalizing, the zombie apocalypse has begun. The level of dissatisfaction among so many Americans who are and have always been far more fortunate than most of folks currently sharing the planet is in many ways bewildering. Yes, things can always get better. Yet living in this moment, seeking out those small pleasures which gives life its true flavor, appears lost in the ever-maddening shuffle. Times like this bring to mind a quote from Thomas Fuller, the 17th century English historian, who wrote, “Contentment consist not in adding more fuel, but in taking away some fire.”