Posts Tagged ‘America’

character assassination

Posted: March 25, 2025 in Observations and Commentary
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In 1992 the Josephson Institute of Ethics published the Six Pillars of Character, a set of universally accepted core ethical values which cut across cultural, religious, and socioeconomic statuses. They were developed as a roadmap for young people to help them navigate the challenges and contradictions of human life. Getting these ideals in front of kids and teens was a noble attempt to advance common foundational standards. Today large banners highlighting the pillars are a common sight in middle and high school hallways and auditoriums across America. Perhaps you’ve seen them.

• Trustworthiness: Honesty, integrity, reliability, loyalty, and keeping promises.
• Respect: Treating others with dignity, valuing differences, and showing consideration.
• Responsibility: Being accountable for actions, fulfilling commitments, and demonstrating self-control.
• Fairness: Playing by the rules, being open-minded, and treating everyone equally.
• Caring: Showing empathy, compassion, and concern for others.
• Citizenship: Engaging in community, respecting laws, and contributing to society.

Most of us can agree this is a fine basis for a personal ethos. The concepts are solid. They possess a visceral moral authority, a backbone for civilized human life. They encapsulate a worldview we hope (more…)

HQ2: t-minus 20 and counting

Posted: January 18, 2018 in Humorous Bits, Observations and Commentary
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Several months ago Amazon announced they planned to open a second corporate headquarters in either the United States or Canada. They named this new venture HQ2, not to be confused with the old school television shopping channels HSN and QVC. (2-3 weeks for delivery? How quaint!) Metropolitan areas were invited to pitch their “Pick Me!” stories. 238 proposals were received. Amazon promptly placed them in the “Save for Later” section of their shopping cart and continued their hugely successful mission to keep cardboard manufacturers busy.

Well, “later” has arrived. Sorta. The top 20 finalists were announced today. It is an understandably exciting time for these hopefuls. Amazon projects (more…)

2017: the year that wasn’t

Posted: January 1, 2018 in Observations and Commentary
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Man, the years keep on keeping on, don’t they? It seems like just yesterday when 2016 exploded into 2017 and the prospect of the new year brought with it an impending sense of doom which lurked just around the corner of January and 20th. We use “impending” as a harbinger, a warning that it is time to prepare for bad, bad juju because it will soon be spewing from every crevice and pore. One does not think of an impending ice cream cone or an impending night out at the cinema. No sir. Impending is saved for the serious shit – an impending (more…)

who was that again?

Posted: October 2, 2017 in Observations and Commentary
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Not so very long ago Americans knew who Charles Whitman was. On August 1, 1966, Charles Whitman shot 46 people from the 27th floor of the University of Texas Tower in Austin. Fifteen died. It shocked the country. The following week the cover of Life magazine was a sobering photograph of the UT Tower through a window with two bullet holes. The shooting was so horrifying and unique that the two major wire news organizations (more…)

lost

Posted: June 28, 2017 in Observations and Commentary, Traskland
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Many years ago, I was traveling from Dallas, Texas to Norman, Oklahoma. It was the familiar interstate route, a straight shot north. It was also dull and repetitive, so I decided to hop onto the local roads and find my way across the state border at a new unknown spot, a pioneer in a Plymouth Fury. The Texas blacktop led me through small cow towns where experience told me my New Jersey accent would not be an asset. I double-checked my fuel gauge to ensure I could make it into Oklahoma without (more…)

the keg is tapped

Posted: November 16, 2016 in Observations and Commentary
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Holy shit, nobody saw that coming. Forget about the blindsided pundits and the humiliated pollsters. You know the president-elect, his advisors, family, and many ardent supporters were also shocked. Let’s face it, you don’t froth at the mouth about a rigged election before the actual election if you expect to win. It is interesting to wonder what thoughts lumbered through Donald Trump’s head last Tuesday night as the results poured in. On a purely instinctive level he must have been elated; he had to be. Seriously, what better way to (more…)

tightrope

Posted: November 6, 2016 in Observations and Commentary
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Thankfully, Election Day is almost here. The mood is such that by now Tuesday could arrive accompanied by bushels of chocolate covered strawberries, truckloads of bouquets, puppies and kittens for all, the Rockettes, and cures for every known communicable disease – and it still wouldn’t be more welcome than it already is.

During this exhausting year we have all suffered through relentlessness, excessive levels of hate, dismissiveness, abuse, moral and intellectual superiority, highhanded behavior, lies, and degradation. Our anxiety is (more…)

pep rallies on anabolic steroids

Posted: July 29, 2016 in Observations and Commentary
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rnc_dnc_combo

Man, the nominating conventions have come a long way from the smoky backroom deal-making days. Those old timey gatherings were ugly, contentious, and vicious. Negotiations were fierce private battles among political bosses and, for those paying attention, intrigue was high. But most Americans – and by “most” I mean everyone not physically at the convention – paid no attention. Communication channels were (more…)

take it back

Posted: October 7, 2012 in Observations and Commentary
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We are constantly bombarded by people screaming we must “take back” the country, particularly during an election year. As if it has been stolen by rebel forces whose primary mission is to destroy it. Alternately we are told we must take back the country from the President, radical right-wingers, bleeding heart liberals, big government and corporations. We must fight and take it back from the Muslims, Jews, Catholics, gun nuts, constitution eroders, freedom inhibitors, women haters, and lobbyists. We must wretch these precious United States from the destructive grips of (more…)

the end of meaningful discourse

Posted: September 4, 2012 in Observations and Commentary
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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…)

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