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Young people today just don’t know what hard work is!
I’ve heard this saying many times and I’ve even said it myself now that I’m an old fart and sometimes reflect on today’s generation of young people. But I paused this thought yesterday when (during my genealogy research) I stumbled on a news article from 1900 about my Great (3x)-grandmother who essentially said the same…
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March 1st is U.S. Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day
Many Americans know of the terrible loss the United States Navy suffered at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked the Navy base there on December 7, 1941, but few know of the heavy losses suffered by those sailors serving in what at the time was the ”United States Asiatic Fleet”, which was headquartered in the…
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Politicians shouldn’t disparage our country’s legal system
For months I’ve listened to politicians on both sides of the aisle say that our judicial system is being weaponized. From the State courts to our country’s Supreme Court, they’ve all been blamed for bias and dishonesty. It’s no wonder there is so much lack of respect for law enforcement and the rule of law…
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Additional thoughts on the “Ban Idiots Not Guns” slogan
On November 17, 1871, an organization was founded in the state of New York called the National Rifle Association. That was 152 years ago. Its goal was to “promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis.” Not a bad idea back in those days, but rifles have come a long way since then, and…
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The world is fighting climate change with at least one hand tied behind its back
Last month I read an opinion in Britain’s Telegraph publication that in many places around the world there is no “green” transition to renewable energy occurring. I wondered about this for awhile and did some of my own research to see if what the article was saying had any validity to it. Unfortunately I found…
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The wildfires in Hawaii underscore the importance of Emergency Preparedness
Having worked in and around the field of emergency planning and preparedness most of my adult life, I was shocked at the devastation and loss of lives that occurred in the recent wildfires in Hawaii and the many failures I saw in their preparedness for such an event. I immediately felt that the Hawaiian emergency…
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Thank goodness we have scientists and engineers who take life seriously
When I watch the news services reports about what is supposed to be happening in the world, I find that it more and more is based on non-important aspects of life. Lately it has been running the gamut from people throwing objects at concerts, supposed Hollywood stars getting married (or divorced), young women scantily clad…
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Ever want to jump from a plane to clear your head?
50 years ago, on July 14, 1973, I did!! It was during the middle of my time at the Navy’s nuclear power school in Bainbridge, Maryland. The amount of information presented and the fast pace of trying to cram it into our heads caused some guys to commit suicide. A couple of us (four to…
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Public misconception of nuclear power crops up everywhere
It amazes me how many times I’ve observed instances of non-educated ramblings about nuclear power from members of the general public. For example, this morning’s commentary by John Phipps on the U.S. Farm Report broadcast was in response to feedback from a listener who took issue with one of John’s prior messages on nuclear power.…
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So much for the precept that “no one is above the law”
So often we hear public officials say that no one is above the law and yet the indictment of our former President seems to say otherwise. On CBS news this morning, Senator Marco Rubio argued that the indictment will just further divide our country and that the former President’s willful actions that actually broke several…