Back from a hike with Fran through Valley Forge. As an historical symbol, Valley Forge has always been a bit of a stretch for me, comparable to using a cracked Quaker bell to represent the Declaration of Independence. It was Washington’s winter quarters for one winter of the war, with the greatest loss of life arising from disease in the warmer spring weather due to unsanitary conditions at the encampment (there were no battle casualties). I noticed that the story of Valley Forge has changed from what I once was told. (more…)
March 25, 2012
March 15, 2012
Paul enters the political foray with a letter published in the Philadelphia Bulletin during the Vietnam War.
One of my first forays into the public arena in support of truth and justice was my Letter to the Editor published in the Philadelphia Bulletin. My letter called for a Court Martial of General Curtis LeMay, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, for wanton disobeying of orders. (more…)
My life and education under the National Defense Education Act of 1958.
About half a century ago, the U.S. government began to impose its will on education, big time. And I was a student unknowingly in the midst of it. (The following quotes are from hi-lited links) “The National Defense Education Act of 1958 was the most important federal bill related to higher education since the 1862 Morrill Act” “By 1958 the Soviet threat grew more immediate; (more…)
Grand theft capitalism — Record fuel prices coincide with record fuel stocks and refining capacity.
Current record fuel costs are an obvious tactic to raise prices so as to get approval for short-term profit opportunities by owners of the energy industry. Think of the power politics of the Keystone pipeline, fracking, and off-shore drilling – all pose enormous long-term risks for the environment and our health. Corporations want to make megabucks by selling more gas temporarily, while our children will pay (and pay and pay) for the mess later.
Is the problem not enough medicine or too much medicine?
The NYTimes identified overdiagnosis as a flaw in our health care. We don’t usually think about this issue, but the easiest medical response to any general complaint (I’m tired, achy, run down or the like) is to run a test (profit-making) and follow a standard procedure (profit-making) in response to test results. (more…)
March 10, 2012
Freedom of Information Act – it’s such a democratic idea that our government has transformed it into an unworkable sham.
Will my application under the Freedom of Information Act reveal any records for Paul Sheldon? Pointless – if records existed, they would likely be classified as “blackballed” (exempt). (more…)
What is the responsibility of a member of the military?
Fran and I were at Swarthmore College recently for a gathering entitled “Reflections on the Occupy Movement.” I spoke my mind on some things. Afterwards, I spoke with a student who is a senior at West Point. (more…)
February 24, 2012
A hopefully-PC post relating to a complex and imprecise (but important) subject – Race
The following is copied from my response to a friend’s blog about the topic of political correctness. I decided to re-post my comment on my own blog, although I recognize that my treatment here is rather superficial. Maybe best I can say for it is that it can get conversation going: (more…)
November 5, 2011
Oops, you’re dead. Then what?
With the development of civilization and technology, simple burial evolved into elaborate burial with embalming for apparent preservation. Folks in the U.S. today often think it more appropriate to opt for cremation by a crematorium. But cremation requires high temperatures for an extended period, consuming much energy that is increasingly in short supply on this planet. So maybe we should go back to simple. Fran says she wants a shroud burial and be eaten by the worms and recycled, as opposed to consuming excessive energy or lying around useless while you decay slowly and take up precious space.
July 30, 2011
Weight, health, life style, and why do we have friends who are like us?
There are substantial individual differences among people in regard to weight and health. Significantly, folks tend to associate with groups that share their particular issues in this regard. We interact with those who (more…)