"Sun Facts Saturday" The Nobel Prize Most people have heard of the Nobel Prize. It is the most prestigious award in the world. Dr. Albert Nobel left his massive fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes. They are awarded to those who have conferred the “greatest benefit on mankind” in five fields: (1) physics, (2) chemistry, … Continue reading A Premature Obituary Inspired the Nobel Prizes
(Because of widespread fear, fear-mongering, conspiracy theories, I am reposting this article from 2020, in case you missed it) We are living in the most paranoid fear-mongering time in human history The news media is a billion-dollar industry. The more readers and viewers, the more advertising revenue. It is all about ratings and profits. To … Continue reading Beware of Media Fear-Mongering
In Honor of Veterans Day (11 am, 11th day, 11th month. 11-11-11) Airports are named after famous people. I know about the namesakes of John Wayne and Ronald Reagan Airports, but who is O’Hare? I pondered this when I was stuck at that massive crowded airport. WWII Navy Fighter Pilot Chicago International Airport is named … Continue reading In Honor of Veteran’s Day: “Who is ‘O’Hare’ of Chicago O’Hare International Airport?”
One of the great failures of the modern era is that heroes have been replaced with celebrities. Tienanmen Square Heroes are men and women who inspire us because of their great achievements and/or their exemplary acts of courage and conviction. Heroes have changed the course of history for the better. Heroes have saved lives at … Continue reading Don’t Confuse Heroes with Celebrities
(When I was growing up, there was a separate National Holiday for Lincoln's birthday (Feb. 12) and Washington's birthday (Feb. 22), our two greatest presidents. Those holidays are now smooshed into one Presidents Day, and so no one remembers when Lincoln and Washington were born. Some people think that is for the best. I don't.) … Continue reading In Honor of Presidents Day: The “Top Five” Founding Fathers
The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights have inspired the world. Perhaps the greatest contribution the U.S. has made to humanity is American political philosophy and ideals. A Foundation of a Written Constitution The U.S. government is built on the bedrock foundation - the supreme law of a written constitution. James Madison, the … Continue reading What Makes America Great (Pt 5/6): American Political Philosophy and Ideals
The “lockdowns” and “social distancing” of the 2020 pandemic left many of us isolated, bored, depressed, and discouraged. Is this situation a misfortune or an opportunity? Is the glass “half empty or half full?” Wise King Solomon observed, “There is nothing new under the sun.” In 1665, the Great Plague rampaged through Britain. In London … Continue reading Pandemic Lockdowns: Misfortune or Opportunity?
German Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemoller WWII Post War Poetic Confessional "I didn't speak up" They came first for the Socialists, and I didn't speak up – because I wasn't a Socialist.Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up – because I wasn't a trade unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and … Continue reading WWII German Pastor Niemoller: Speak Up for the Rights of Others
In the 1950's and 1960's, my mom handled the family budget. My dad was an elementary school teacher, and we were a single income family of five. So, my mom was necessarily frugal. Cheap powdered milk with lumps She saved money by giving us powdered milk. This wasn’t name-brand powder, like Carnation. This was cheap … Continue reading My Childhood “Frugal” Family Dinners
The story is told of a wise and experienced political science professor at a local university. When his class discussed socialism the young college students became enamored with the concept. On the surface socialism sounds wonderful. It seeks to establish equality. It eliminates the evils of capitalism where the rich get richer and the poor … Continue reading Experiment in Socialism
The London Edition 