tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22929937895937321802011-07-28T22:16:43.506-04:00A blog about the many varied issues affecting modern life and human existence. Produced largely as a catharsis for the author, it is also intended to serve as a catalyst for reflective thinking on the part of intelligent readers, who may either agree or disagree, but will (in the process) also have thought about a topic a little harder.NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comBlogger201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-40692870306161658032008-11-21T07:21:00.007-05:002011-01-28T08:17:18.217-05:00

Turkey day is coming; and the turkeys in DC are about to be terminated. As America's economic infrastructure continues (it seems) to disintegrate, there are still things for which we can be thankful! Most importantly, America now has a "management team" of four extremely bright, educated, articulate, ethical people who (from where I sit) seem completely capable, and dedicated to turning things

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-21043092089593944332008-07-04T08:53:00.002-04:002008-07-04T09:07:39.217-04:00

Americans are great people, and America is a great country; and we show it in so many ways on a daily basis. But the one day of the year that is set aside for memorializing the people and principles of our great country seems to be the day that brings out the palmetto bugs of our society!It seems to me that virtually any opportunity for celebration quickly becomes some twisted sort of

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-28949261681678000222008-06-08T09:33:00.004-04:002011-01-28T08:18:14.574-05:00

I relate this story second hand. It came to me from a colleague who was teaching a course in film and media. After viewing a number of episodes of the original 1960s TV hit "Star Trek," a student asked the following question: "Star Trek contains a broad cross-section of galactic life -- humans include whites, blacks, asians, hindus, and others. In fact, there are even beings from other planets;

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-77806813781625266032008-06-08T09:04:00.004-04:002011-01-28T08:20:58.387-05:00

When I was just a kid, but old enough to be curious about politics and government, I asked my dad (a pretty bright guy) about the differences between democrats and republicans. And I remember very clearly that he looked at me intently for a few seconds, probably trying to decide what to say, how to say it, and whether or not I was old enough to grasp his opinion. Anyway,… after a short pause he

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-18932490987270255402008-04-05T11:15:00.003-04:002008-04-05T11:25:42.247-04:00

Yesterday, after class a few of my students invited me out for coffee. It was quite flattering actually, in view of how rarely something like that happens!Knowing that I am retiring, and have chosen what they regard as self-imposed exile in (Florida) a mysterious land far away, which is unknown and mysterious to them (and in many ways to me as well), they wanted me to tell them about my plans.

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-44392890280139011372008-02-24T14:08:00.003-05:002008-02-24T14:26:31.021-05:00

Let me begin by saying that I have always had the deepest respect for Ralph Nader. His significance as a crusader for the American consumer is a matter of historical fact. BUT, you must be old enough to actually remember why and how he became so important. Any investigation into the history of American car companies, drug companies, insurance companies, and the quality of American produced

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-71728777919451198932008-02-06T11:23:00.001-05:002008-02-06T11:52:55.814-05:00

One of the surest ways to stimulate my gag reflex during campaign season, which seems to be getting longer and longer, is when candidates begin making campaign promises. Hearing such things always closes up my throat and forces me to swallow hard. So, for those of you out there who have forgotten what you were taught in high school, let me refresh your memory a bit.The president leads the

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-73026453522188017452008-02-02T14:21:00.002-05:002011-03-30T10:04:31.229-04:00

Every fall, during the last decade of my teaching career, I offered my college students a two point bonus option about two weeks prior to every election -- local, state, and national. College students just love bonus points, and many would sell their parents into slavery for any chance to raise their grade without additional studying, so as you can imagine, interest was immediately piqued. "What

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-61438944176414687642008-01-25T10:03:00.000-05:002008-01-25T11:20:43.879-05:00

Old Glory's NEW LOOK — circa 2012?Let's begin with an almost universally recognized fact about United States history — religious freedom!Those original colonists came here looking for an escape from the religious zealotry that was part of their lives in England. It had become an overbearing, oppressive arm of the government, and a method for subjugating the population.Now, just a bit more than

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-55173717396144507962008-01-01T16:33:00.000-05:002008-01-01T17:10:37.753-05:00

"Could I have another chance?""Wait! I can do better!""I wanna go again!""Just one more time!"Do any of these seem familiar to you -- from childhood, maybe? Those tough (and sometimes wasted) school years? Or, how about that relationship (or job) you messed up?Well philosophers, clerics, therapists, and others frequently caution us that, in life, there are no second chances! Yet, in a manner of

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-83707167339585884432007-12-27T10:54:00.000-05:002007-12-27T11:41:02.577-05:00

It is just amazing to me that the one animal on this planet that is capable of so much good, is also the one that does so much violent damage to itself; and more often than not -- in the name of imaginary deities! And you must admit, nothing "justifies" murder better than defense of dogmas developed over the centuries by bitter, vitriolic and dysfunctional old men -- yes, MEN! (As far as we know,

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-72449968483839523932007-09-19T06:54:00.000-04:002007-09-19T06:58:48.833-04:00

The ‘Gag’ Rule No, I'm not talking about some political rule in congress; and I'm not making reference to anything in jurisprudence either! My use of the "Gag Rule" refers to something completely different. My Gag Rule is that American television (and radio) has now gotten so commercialized, trivialized, and bastardized that if you simply surf the channels or stations you will very probably GAG

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-12081895026446457232007-09-14T09:15:00.000-04:002007-09-14T09:21:30.769-04:00

Like many other thinking Americans, I'm extremely concerned about the clear fact that our congress is doing everything that it can to GIVE AWAY our country's assets to foreign businessmen. Because of a public outcry, they backed down a few months ago on the ports deal, but now they are at it again, trying to give away ($$$) control of our domestic airlines to foreign businessmen. And as far

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-58676462660885535932007-09-14T09:05:00.000-04:002007-09-14T09:11:07.653-04:00

Democracy Or Idiotracy?If you watch and listen to news reports you have probably heard the word "democracy" used a great deal, especially lately! And invariably, it is almost always regarded as a term with POSITIVE connotations -- especially AMERICAN democracy. It's a GOOD thing... right? Well, here's a thought.Government OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people is a wonderful concept...

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-26162605141254713372007-09-11T11:39:00.000-04:002007-09-11T11:45:05.747-04:00

It's the little things that matter and make a difference! No,... I'm not talking about holding hands or saying "I Love You," or stuff like that... I'm talking about ANTS! When I was just a little rascal (5 or 6), I heard someone say "eventually, insects will inherit this planet!" Hmm, eventually? Well, in my boyhood mind, I decided to do my part then and from that day forward, so I never miss

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-69943363504848003702007-09-11T11:25:00.001-04:002007-09-11T11:36:10.058-04:00

I know it would give everyone a cheap thrill to see me type the F-word but I'm not going to do that -- so there! I am, however, NOT talking about the old F-word -- that one has become so over used that it has lost most of its old zip and zing. You hear it everywhere; and it just doesn't seem to have any real impact anymore! Sad really, because it came in so handy for such an incredibly long

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-39997775384503720942007-09-04T09:24:00.000-04:002007-09-04T10:36:25.134-04:00

Have you ever noticed that people can (and often do) get into some pretty heated discussions about individual rights in modern America? It seems that virtually everyone can get themselves into a lather about anything that they perceive as a challenge or danger to their personal existence. Issues as trivial as the right to an open parking space, or as monumental as personal privacy in the bedroom

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-5610244335466239982007-09-03T20:23:00.001-04:002010-06-07T09:14:53.511-04:00

The Great American Wasteland What is the great American wasteland? Is it the Badlands of the Dakotas or the deserts of the southwest? How about Death Valley,… or maybe all of the country's trash dumps and landfills? Any of these? — Nope! According to my way of thinking, our greatest wasteland isn't a REAL place or a physical space, but rather a VIRTUAL one! (Fanfare) Tah-Dah! It is the great

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-89249062859421111532007-09-03T09:21:00.000-04:002007-09-03T09:26:07.642-04:00

Most of us live our lives according to a particular set of priorities but in most cases we aren’t really conscious of what they are!I have a colleague who simply lives to make money — and frequently says things like “money, Money, MONEY!” At other times, he may say to me that he envies the time I have for travel, scuba diving, socializing with friends, kayaking, photography, or music composition

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2292993789593732180.post-12675553745718925102007-09-02T08:31:00.002-04:002010-06-02T09:30:27.915-04:00

Why Would Anyone Write A Blog? Well, some people do it primarily to make money. The thought of bucks is a powerful motivator, especially in this wealth-centered world. But,… I don't expect to ever make a penny on this blog, and frankly, I don't care! Other people (and groups) create and maintain blogs because they are interested in things like fame or popularity, which frequently turns into

NaplesManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03285331764327810257noreply@blogger.com