Not long after a mass shooter claimed the lives of fifty worshipers in a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand and wounded fifty more, I found myself applauding the government of New Zealand as they took swift and decisive action to ban semi-automatic weapons in the aftermath of that terrible tragedy (Graham-McLay, 2019). I also continue … Continue reading
12% of the Population…
When I was an undergraduate student from 1981 through 1985, the field of computer science was still evolving. My declared major was “Management Science” with a concentration in “Management Information Systems,” which in those days seemed to be little more than a rather awkward hybrid of a traditional business degree and the fledgling area of … Continue reading
Bake a Bigger Pie
It seems so ironic that the United States, a proud country with tons of “swagger” and one which describes itself, in its own national anthem no less, as “the land of the free and the home of the brave” (Key, 1814) has gradually become alarmingly skittish in response to just about everything. Perhaps this collective … Continue reading
Abracadabra
The late 1960s were a turbulent time in the United States and as “colored” people, (“Black” and “African-American” hadn’t yet made their way into the popular vernacular) our parents did their best to raise my sisters and me within the delicately balanced framework of the hopefulness of the future juxtaposed against the discrimination … Continue reading
The Root of All Evil
“I don’t care too much for money, ‘cause money can’t buy me love” (Beatles). “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (King James Bible, 1 Tim. 6.10). Whether you agree with both of … Continue reading
Shedding the Golden Handcuffs
June 10, 2028 – I was fresh out of college and had landed my first “real” job – a management trainee position at a major insurance company. It was my very first day, and the representative from the “Personnel” department (the 1980s name for Human Resources) presented me with a large envelope containing my “Benefits … Continue reading
Facebook Confessions
Social media presents a strange but fascinating dichotomy within modern life. At times we lament the way in which the endless quest for “likes” and “friends” and the seemingly never-ending parade of dinner plate photos has replaced genuine conversation and connection. O On the other hand, there are rare instances when it is possible to … Continue reading
I Will Never Forget…
“I will never forget where I was when…” This is a phrase that almost everyone uses to recount some historic, and invariably, tragic event, that forever alters the trajectory, not only of our individual lives, but also that of our countries, our world, and increasingly, our very existence on the planet. The event itself will … Continue reading
Lotsa Ways to Skin a Cat
“There’s lotsa ways to skin a cat!” I have no doubt that members of PETA, the SPCA, as well as amateur animal lovers everywhere are fighting waves of nausea as a result of the graphically unpleasant word pictures evoked by that simple sentence. However, before writing me off as a narrow minded “hater” of those … Continue reading
I (used to) Hate Sundays!
“I hate Sundays!” Despite the fact that it has been forty-five years, I can remember shouting this sentence (in my head) as clearly as if it were yesterday. The scariest and simultaneously most fascinating aspect of this obscure childhood memory is the extraordinary restraint exhibited by my seven year old self, not only in avoiding … Continue reading
quietlyradical 