Ruminations

Declaration of Independence Day – A Weekly Remembrance

Bryan Watson9 years ago01 mins

We designate one historic day each year to serve as our “Independence Day” holiday, but what about the rest of the year? Perhaps, in today’s America, we need to designate one day per week, not one day per year, as a day to reflect on and celebrate the origins of our country.

That day should be designated as “Declaration of Independence Day” – a day set aside to revisit the document that expresses why we assumed a “separate and equal station” among other nations.

One day each week to be a citizen-hero, to look carefully at what our government is doing and measure it against the ideals of those 56 heroes who dared be traitors so our rights were protected.

Promises made, Promises broken

Bryan Watson9 years ago01 mins

Uncertainty damages business … and people too. Too bad about the student loan forgiveness plan. I remember (in 2012) when the Bush tax cuts of 2003 were scheduled to expire. Republicans raised a hue and cry about the “uncertainty” that this cast upon our economy. Businesses didn’t know how to plan – should they expect…

Imprison People Because Jobs and Taxes: Michigan Value?

Bryan Watson7 years ago02 mins

There’s money to be made, and there are jobs to be created, by imprisoning people. And there are many private, for-profit companies feeding at that trough.

Is that a Michigan Value?

Common But Not Normal

Bryan Watson8 years ago01 mins

In the wake of the most recent mass shooting – this time, in a Florida school – many commentators are noting, sadly, that tragedies like this have become the “new normal.” I disagree – tragedies like this have become “all too common“, but I reject the notion that this is “normal“, whether new or old….

Deadheads? Not Dead Yet!

Bryan Watson9 years ago11 mins

Burke’s book was a great introduction, for me, to the central tenets of the Deadhead community – that sense of sharing, of helping one another, of finding your place within the world around you, and of keeping that place intact against the familiar pressures of everyday living.

More than just a story – though certainly an interesting and entertaining story – F.T. Burke’s “The Bohemian Adventure” shows us how we can grow, even in middle age, to re-center ourselves into a sense of purpose and value. That value isn’t found in ourselves as solitary individuals, but in the community of like-minded people, sharing among that community.

How Do We Pay For it?

Bryan Watson7 years ago02 mins

Let’s find a way to pay for it, whatever it costs. Because, if it’s a good thing to do, if it solves an intolerable problem, then we should do it. Not because we can afford it, but because we need it.

Because we can’t afford to not do it.

Elections

Epstein ad reveals fear of female opponent

Bryan Watson8 years ago03 mins

Lena Epstein’s unusual pre-primary attack ad may have revealed her fear of facing a female Democratic opponent in the November General Election. Epstein, a leading Republican candidate for Michigan’s 11th Congressional District seat, launched a television ad attacking Democrat Tim Greimel. The ad criticised Greimel for being “anti-Trump” and pro-choice. Epstein’s campaign has emphasized her loyalty…

A Teaching Moment, Squandered

Bryan Watson8 years ago5 years ago02 mins

Give 30 minutes to walk out and return, then give an hour to study of these basic tenets of being a citizen in the US, their history, the difficulties of conflicts between rights and safety, how bills become law, and how protests change (or don’t change) law, how courts decide conflicts.

Basic civics education.

Facts and Emotions: Battling A Culture of Lies

Bryan Watson2 years ago02 mins

We need to answer emotion with counter-emotion. If we don’t trigger an emotional response, our facts won’t matter because they won’t be heard.

Politics Never Stops – That’s Good!

Bryan Watson8 years ago04 mins

But there’s no need to stop canvassing. Perhaps it’ll be less formal than a campaign might canvass – no mobile app, no careful selection of which doors to knock and which to skip, no glossy door-hangers to leave behind. But canvassing is a formalized version of that most basic political act – talking.

Choosing Greatness

TWOFER: Tax and Health Care Cuts

Does a Liar Tell the Truth?

Facts and Emotions: Battling A Culture of Lies

Article III

A Teaching Moment, Squandered

Declaration of Independence Day – A Weekly Remembrance

Promises made, Promises broken

Imprison People Because Jobs and Taxes: Michigan Value?

Common But Not Normal

Deadheads? Not Dead Yet!

How Do We Pay For it?

Epstein ad reveals fear of female opponent

A Teaching Moment, Squandered

Facts and Emotions: Battling A Culture of Lies

Politics Never Stops – That’s Good!