Note: Each block of text actually is a link to a story or a web page that I am commenting on. Click on that text and it will take you to the page being referred to.
Some really thought provoking material out there today … I hope you find these food and fodder for thought and thinking … and maybe pondering.
This one asks if Western values are losing their sway ... I would posit that is a false assumption to begin with. Each culture has its own traditions and political methods ... and while capitalism and the Occidental view of democracy has done wonders in elevating the lives of billions above abject poverty, it is not universal because the values and principles really are not universal. We, in the West - in our hubris, find that difficult to understand because it seems so patently obvious to us. But we can see this play out in our everyday lives when people see there is a right way, a wrong way and their way ... and if their way is not better than than the right way, they ask: And why not? And throwing hissy-fits when someone disagrees. Not realizing that what works for one individual does not always work for another … The same is for people all around the world.
Interesting article on the selection of Jeremy Corbyn to head Britain's Labor Party (roughly equivalent to the American Democrats). He is, at first blush, much like Bernie Sanders, although I think a little more left than Sen. Sanders. But like Sanders an avowed socialist and trying to portray himself as an outsider, non-conformist to the current political setup. In that he is much like Donald Trump. But the arguments made against Corbyn could very easily apply to Sanders ... only I am not sure the opinion-making punditry class in the US is willing to point that out. As I have said before, socialist rhetoric is very seductive and actually works on a very small scale. Unfortunately, it is has proven itself repeatedly not to be scalable and fails when you get large masses of society involved. Life really works better when you make it in the individual's self-interest to improve himself, than rob from the "rich" to pay the "poor"
This really is rather funny ... and in a way ... very telling about our modern techno-era
Deconfliction of air space over Syria may be the least of our problems ... this has all the potential of becoming a really nasty furball
More twists and turns in the Kentucky County Clerk case ...
When you think about this ... it really is absurd ... but that is what we have risen to in the United States. Our efforts at political correctness are going around the bend into insanity
This is a sad commentary on a profession I labored nearly 30 years in. But the new media reigns ... and that has its own pitfalls.
Methinks that conservative conservatives really are pissed at the Republican party.
Interesting article on the art of leadership ... to me it comes down to the old adage of leading from the front, when necessary, but giving each person room and the dignity to rise to the standards needed. It is a selfless thing, leading from the front and going above and beyond to demonstrate what is expected and to do what is necessary to enable that. It really isn't easy ... and I often hope that I was such a leader.
Nice discussion on the possibilities of Sweden and Finland joining NATO, and how pissed off that would make the Russians.
Another view on the Russian activities in Syria. What are they up to and what are their objectives?
This article makes a very valid point about modern warships ... are they much like the ill-fated battlecruisers of the 20th Century? Tremendous firepower but little ability to absorb damage?
I think this story deserves a great big DUH! It is patently obvious that Syria and Iraq are like Humpty Dumpty and are beyond being put back together as single nations.
The think the answer to the question posed in the headline of this article should be readily obvious. Unfortunately, for the left in this country, they fail to see that fighting our enemies with a law enforcement paradigm doesn't work. They really are our enemies ... and we are at war with them.
Interesting concept on policing ... worth considering ... but I wonder if communities are willing to put up the financial resources to make it work, because it won't come on the cheap.
A good analysis/backgrounder on where the IDF is headed post-Iran Nuclear Deal and some of the changes to be expected in the Middle East.
Let us all go out and let wealth envy devour us ... I am sorry, but I really can't get all that het up over this ... I guess I have been down so long, I really don't care.
There is much truth to this article about news coverage of Bernie Sanders. It really is sad and unfortunate.
Meet the Polish Corporal ... all four paws
Avatar, Bionic Man ... we are getting there.
Ron Paul on another rant ... but you should read it ... if only to consider his points.
There is much irony in this story, methinks. But then, I never have been a real big supporter of public employee unions ... especially after the one that allegedly represented me never returned my calls and its offices always seemed closed.
I know, I know ... this didn't happen as probably doesn't happen anywhere else.
It seems the great Middle Kingdom is looking outward these days and is setting its boundaries
Another view on the similarities between Sanders and the UK's Corbyn
This is one thing that keeps a lot of US servicemembers going ... knowing that the country will do everything to bring them home.
and finally, would we really get serious about enforcing our laws about immigration? I am sorry, it all seems to be such a sham.
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