Ruminations

There’s 7 New People Born

Bryan Watson8 years ago02 mins

Into this world came this song. It certainly wasn’t on the radio, but I had bought the album – my second Dylan album – and listened to it, late at night, in the living room, on the hi-fi console, with my headphones on, in stereo.

When I first heard it, it was just “the next track” on the album. But halfway through, I stopped and moved the needle back to the beginning. I listened. Then played it again. And again. And again.

I learned, in 5 minutes, about poverty. Farming. South Dakota. Pain. Helplessness. Desperation. Terror. Loss.

Kill Off Debate Combat Now!

Bryan Watson6 years ago02 mins

The current combative format and style of these so-called “debates” is exactly Trump’s wheelhouse. If that style continues into the general election, whoever is running against Trump will get crushed.

A Washington D.C. license plate with the tag "END TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION". This is the default license plate design for DC vehicles.

Pass D.C. Statehood

Bryan Watson5 years ago5 years ago04 mins

Republicans will openly, unashamedly say that 712,000 D.C. residents can’t have representation in Congress because it would endanger their power. That’s it. Nothing else to say.

Speak to their Values

Bryan Watson6 years ago5 years ago02 mins

If the impeachment managers hope to win this persuasion argument, they must speak to how Republican senators can stay in power – or recover their lost power – or protect themselves from the loss of power. They need to demonstrate that the actions of the defendant threaten the ruling authority of these Republican senators.

Good Government

The Next Generation, and the Next

Bryan Watson7 years ago02 mins

Everyone has something to contribute and everyone contributes more than their share. So many people talked about stepping outside their comfort zone, going one step further, trying something for the first time – and feeling exhilarated by it.

Good Government

Death Threats – Not Rhetoric – Words Matter

Bryan Watson1 year ago1 year ago01 mins

I’m watching the most anti-Trump of mainstream networks and, without exception, they are sane-washing Trump’s threats as “violent rhetoric”. Even Harris is shying away from the word “threat”. But there is no question about it. He threatened Cheney.

“You Get What You Measure”

Bryan Watson8 years ago02 mins

You get what you measure. That’s another well-known truth in business organizations. When you want a particular kind of outcome (say, increased customer base for a lagging product), you require your workers to measure that outcome and report the results. The effect is that workers focus on improving their measurements – sometimes to the detriment…

Winning Elections

Bryan Watson8 years ago02 mins

If you consider that an election is just marketing, then you would do what a marketer would do — look at who is gaining market share and copy what they are doing. Why? Because you are going after the same market, the same population of consumers. So, if McDonald’s introduces Filet-o-Fish with huge success, Burger…

“Our Sacred Honour”

Bryan Watson2 years ago1 year ago01 mins

In 1776, they signed their names to a revolutionary document, pledging “our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honour” to defend the radical idea that “all men are created equal “ – that they equally enjoy the natural rights of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” – that governments are needed to protect those…

“Fear was a big part of it”

Bryan Watson9 years ago3 years ago01 mins

Listen to what we are being told:

Fear those who cross our country’s border from Mexico – the are rapists and murderers and drug lords.

Fear those who cross our country’s border from Mexico – they are rapists and murderers and drug lords.

Fear those who run from brutality and death in Syria – they are terrorists who hate our freedom.

Deadheads? Not Dead Yet!

Common But Not Normal

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Is it still murder if the president orders it?

Does a Liar Tell the Truth?

Kill Off Debate Combat Now!

There’s 7 New People Born

Kill Off Debate Combat Now!

Pass D.C. Statehood

Speak to their Values

The Next Generation, and the Next

Death Threats – Not Rhetoric – Words Matter

“You Get What You Measure”

Winning Elections

“Our Sacred Honour”

“Fear was a big part of it”