“We should teach our children how to think, not what to think.” ~Variously ascribed Like many aspects of humanity, history loves easy answers, and that is often part of the mistake that leads us to repeat war, depression, oppression, corruption, destruction. The 20th century loves to blame Adolf Hitler and pin on him the moniker…

Did You Know? If you put French bread into a toaster, it does not make French toast.

Citizens in Ada, Oklahoma enjoy an annual festival called Charmed by Chocolate, usually around Valentines Day. What participants might not realize is that organizers tried to promote several other activities prior to Charmed, such as Harmed by Chocolate, Weggied by Veggies, Collared by Cholera (later Collared by Collards), Wowed by Cows, Nuts for Noodles, Erect…

Did You Know? From the first time he was issued a driver’s license by the Orleans Parrish Department of Public Safety in 1949 until his death from a cocaine overdose in 1989, Quincy Magoo was responsible for 1391 fatality traffic collisions in the United States.

In preface, let me state that no, I have no illusions about converting the elders of the Church (any church). In fact, I’ve written them off long ago. But there are young people out there who might read these words and decide to think for themselves, at which time I will be successful. Bored one day…

I remember how furious some right-wingers, and one in particular calling himself “Doc,” got when I posted an entry called “Should Christians Rethink Earthcentricity?” Among other brilliant things, this “Doc” character promised he sees me all the time and would be watching me. Part bully, part coward, part scared little boy, and par for the…

I have said on many occasions that most people – actually, almost all people – don’t really understand freedom. Most people don’t really want freedom and don’t know what to do with it. One of my favorite YouTubers, The Amazing Atheist (his real name is T.J. Kirk), recently posted a longish video in which he defended…

On a couple of occasions I’ve take the time to listen to the 9/11 audio tapes, culled from air traffic control and military recordings from the day. From those I have formed some impressions. The U. S. military command structure behaves like a bloated bureaucracy. Despite claims that they have “learned their lesson” from 9/11, I…

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” ~Voltaire Years ago, a young lady I was trying to court told me one time, “You’ll never find the truth through science.” This is one of the principal messages of religion, because it is the only argument it can offer against science. Science…

I was at a dedication ceremony recently when I ran into Christine, a refreshingly liberal friend of mine who teaches at the college here. The event marked the installation of a “Peace Pole” at the courthouse, and Christine made a short speech. She talked about diversity and tolerance, and mentioned that there were blacks, whites,…

While watching YouTube recently, I came across a video by James Yeager, a brilliant military and personal defense tactician who is socially deeply misguided, in which he demonstrates which amateur radio transceivers he owns and how he carries them. Apparently, at least based on the stream of comments to the video, he does not have…

Most of the intelligent people in the world spend much of their time thinking curiously. Whether we are curious about the nature of the universe or the nature of the minds of those around us, curiosity is at the core of human progress. Last month I acquired a DB910CE-M 1900mhz antenna for only the cost…

I have said time and again that the demise of the newspaper business isn’t just bad for journalists, it’s bad for democracy and our nation. I wrote this as I learned that the Chicago Sun-Times, the number two newspaper in America’s third largest city, announced it is laying off it’s entire staff of 28 photographers….

“You’re fascinated by the gory details! You’re mesmerized by your own fear. You revel in floods, car accidents, unstoppable diseases. You’re happiest when others are in pain. That’s where I come in isn’t it? I’m here to lead you by the hand through the dark forest of your own hatred and anger and humiliation!” ~Talk…

My readers know that Abby and I recently completed our required testing for our Oklahoma Self Defense Act permit to carry a concealed weapon. Today we went together to the Pontotoc County Justice Center to be fingerprinted. As we expected, my fingerprints were easy to scan, but Abby’s, which have always had smooth ridges, were…

“In the high school halls in the shopping malls conform or be cast out…” ~Rush, Subdivisions In April 1999, my sister came home from work early and turned on the television just in time to see the very earliest moments of the news coverage of the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado. She says that…

I have an extremely overactive brain. Sometimes I think it’s why I can’t always sleep, and why television, particularly reality TV, bores me. Once in a while I imagine what I would do with a million dollars, or a billion, and of course I plan all kinds of political and intellectual mandates for Richard’s New…

During a recent trip out west, which I aborted because of a death in the family, I stopped at something I have photographed several times over the years, a touristy knock-off of Stanley Marsh’s famous Cadillac Ranch, the Bug Ranch. Located at an exit along Interstate 40 at Conway, Texas, this display of Volkswagens buried…