Some words in the English language are contronyms; words that—depending on the context of their use—have opposite meanings. Consider the word “cleave.” It can mean to adhere or to stick to something or someone, and alternatively it can mean to cut, split, or separate something. “Bolt” can mean to secure something to Read more…
I want to take a break from dispensing wisdom to share a bit about writing. I love it. Writing is a release for me. As the postscript for each of my weekly missives, I sign off with scribendo cogito. That is part of the Roman proverb, docendo disco, scribendo cogito, or “I learn by teaching, Read more…
There’s nothing more confusing to average folks than military acronyms. The U.S. Army has a lot of them. One that is important for taxpayers to understand is DOTMLPF, pronounced in military parlance “Dot-Mil-P-F.” What in the world does that mean? In short, it stands for Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership (including Education), Personnel, and Facilities. Read more…
It was something I could no longer put off. My eyesight was steadily growing worse. About five years ago, my doctor informed me that I had advancing cataracts in both eyes. It was not a surprise. As a writer, I could tell. I found it harder to read without reading glasses. I needed glasses different from bifocals Read more…
Just when you thought that the economic news couldn’t get worse, both for the nation and individuals, a looming railroad strike could have further derailed any hope for a quick recovery. It appears to have been averted. The ruling party in Washington is breathing a sigh of relief since an angry electorate Read more…
For those familiar with just war theory, it is very much an important component to civilized behavior. The concept reaches back to antiquity. But the first clear expression of it was from Saint Augustine. He believed that while the immediate resort to violence should be avoided, God has given government the power to Read more…
Despite all the circumambient dysfunction and trouble we see today, I’m taking a break from all of it to update you on happier news. My publisher, the University Press of Kentucky, has announced that my latest book, Yanks in Blue Berets: American UN Peacekeepers in the Middle East, will be released for publication Read more…
This week we learned that the President of the United Sates had decided—by fiat—that any student earning under $125,000 a year who also has an outstanding student loan debt will not be required to pay it in full. Never mind that some people have already paid off their student loans. They clearly should have delayed Read more…
If you are like many other people, you have come to the realization that the political divide we now witness in America is toxic. E pluribus unum (out of many one), our national motto, in many ways is just a dusty old Latin phrase engraved on emblems and printed on our money. Divide Read more…
There’s lots of wisdom concerning the consequences one might suffer when acting out of anger, seeking revenge, or exacting retribution from someone whom you are certain deserves it. The Book of Proverbs is replete with warnings about anger. Here are a few. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up Read more…