A Socio-Political Blog
Since “socialism” and “social democracy” are going to be hot button topics for the next several months, it might be a good idea to calibrate some understanding. I have repeated until I am blue in the face that many people think they are saying “communism” when they say “socialism” but I’m not resonating. Even pundits…
As Bernie Sanders shows strength toward the possibility of becoming the Democratic candidate, the issue of his association with “socialist” ideas will weigh more and more heavily within our political rhetoric. Sanders identifies with Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the New Deal. Fair comparisons can be made with regard to how Sanders proposes to focus federal…
Let’s say you’re in school and your assignment is to write the most interesting, yet factual, account of the Battle of Gettysburg. You are told that you can choose one of only two options as your source for information. ONE option is a college history professor who is a world renowned expert on the Civil…
I did not write the following. It was written by historian Heather Cox Richardson who is a Professor of History at Boston College. One week ago she posted this on her blog “Letters From An American” and I am reposting it on mine. I have a fair amount of my own subscribers and I want…
As events in the Middle East cause alarm with regard to where American policy in the region is headed, it is useful to consult sources outside of our own media to reach a better understanding of counter perspectives. That does not betray American interests and the safety of our citizens, it is, rather, a more…
The other day I posted a story on Facebook about a woman in Des Moines who attempted to run someone over because she thought they were Hispanic. The woman was also shown in a video from that same evening hurling racial epithets at a black man in a convenience store. My post included a reprimand…
Countless articles and television chat shows have been centered around Eddie Murphy lately. That’ s because this Saturday he will be hosting “Saturday Night Live” for the first time in 35 years. I have to admit that I’m rather excited about it. I, like most people, am very fond of Eddie Murphy and have enjoyed…
I’m finding myself deeply affected by the passing of Christopher Dennis, the Hollywood Superman. His story is a reflection of something we are missing. That is not a judgment of the man, himself, but of the malaise of apathy that is part of society. Maybe it has always been a societal norm to look the…
Want to know what I’m getting frustrated with? I am frustrated with people I agree with politically, but who castigate everyone who doesn’t align in lock step with a) Who they hate, b) What they hate, and c) How they hate them. Some back story- I am a Progressive (with a capital P). I cannot…
The new Fleet-Farm in Cedar Falls opened the other day and I went to check it out. It’s impressive if just for the sheer size of it. I can’t say for sure if it has more of anything in particular than other such stores, but it certainly has broad shoulders. It did seem that the…