Posts

How a Local Library is Failing Their Kids

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  As the Executive Director of a Texas nonprofit, I had the privilege of supplying financially-disadvantaged students with mostly laptop computers for their home. Over the span of our organization's activity, we placed 2278 computers and laptops into the homes of local kids whose family could not afford a computer. I became active in many of these children's lives, as my organization provided support for their computers for the student's entire academic career. Years of support. We even replaced these machines with upgraded models if and when the child was accepted into college. It stands to reason we developed close relationships with these kids and their parents.  While we did provide these students a computer, it was beyond our financial capability to provide them with internet access. Many of these kids took after school and weekend jobs to pay for internet access. Unfortunately, this option wasn't available to most of these kids.   Many of these families were run b...

A Boomer Appeals to Gen Z

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Yeah, I am a Boomer. But I am also aware of the nightmare of our current political situation. I need to talk to you...not as some old guy lecturing you. I want to talk to you about how we need you to change the current trajectory of our country. Because when it comes down to it, it's on you to do so. These are the things we need to do.  ...things we need you to do. Because no one else will do it. At the time of publication, several States are pursuing legislation to make it illegal to have polling places on college campuses. Texas State Rep. Carrie Isaac filed a bill seeking, recently, to ban counties from putting polling locations on college campuses. This is also taking place in Idaho and six other states. Why? They fear that young voters see what's actually going on around them.  And don't doubt it for a minute. The right wing of our political system is all hands on deck. They want to make it exceedingly difficult for you to vote. I have a nagging fear that your generati...

Stop Being Sheep

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             I've been a political observer for 40 years. My politics have shifted during that time, and what I've discovered is that, for the most part; people have become apathetic. Many are just grounded by inertia. Problems in the US have overwhelmed them, and they feel helpless. Or...  They simply sit out their constitutional right to make the changes necessary to return our laws to some semblance of sanity. I am going to attempt to show you just how dangerous your apathy is. You have the ability to change our nation's course, and you just don't want to be bothered.   That makes you a big part of the problems we face. This will be a primer of sorts, attempting to explain what is happening in our country and how you have the power to change or stop this onslaught on your rights. Most importantly, how these midterm elections in 2022 are probably the most important in our lifetime.  2022 has been a horrendous year. Voting rights h...

Thunderbolt

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 I'm not a "romantic" kind of guy. And try as we men may, we struggle with the female idea of what being "romantic" is. I mean, I'll rub her feet after a long day, listen to her without trying to "fix it" and do dishes when she'd tired. Sometimes I'll do stuff just so she doesn't have to, but let's face it. I have my limits, and  it's simply because the male brain just ain't wired for this whole "romance" thing. Prove it to yourself guys. Get through Bridges of Madison County in one sitting. Without the nervous tics, checking your phone or involuntary twitches. Go ahead, I'll wait. You won't make it 15 minutes. I'm married and divorced...twice, but it wasn't for the lack of trying. Seems men's idea of trying is mostly utilitarian, whereas a woman's is...well, maybe that's why I am twice divorced, If I'm being honest here. I don't have a flipping clue what women equate to "ro...

Open Your Ears - A First-Time Buyer's Guide to Headphones

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Headphone or audio experiences in general tend to be rather subjective. Much of what I report here is based on my experiences in critically auditioning the equipment listed herein. You are more than welcome to disagree, and your input is encouraged. Feel free to ask about any other technical things pertaining to headphone audio. I will answer all of them. There are some I purposely left out, most of them being "consumer grade" headphones such as Sony, JBL and some others. While they may be adequate, much better sound can be had for much less than you will pay for those over-hyped brands. Are you finally ready to explore premium-sounding headphones? "Premium" doesn't necessarily mean expensive. Here I walk you through all the issues and considerations you will face in getting the best sound quality headphones for a price that might surprise you. i've been involved in Hi Fidelity audio since 1977 in one way or the other. From a 8K dollar Phase Linear...

Blowin' In The Wind.....

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In my military career, I spent my first two and a half years years galavanting around Asia....all parts of it, from Korea to the Thailand/Vietnam border and even a short stint in Fukuoka Japan as a temporary Attache for the Commanding General of the 2nd Infantry Division, Henry E. Emerson; AKA "Gunfighter" .  Also in our entourage was the Executive Officer of the Second Brigade, Second Infantry Division. You might recognize the name - at that time, Lieutenant Colonel Colin Powell. It was basically my job to keep his engagement book, drive him around and eventually help pour him into his UH-1 to fly back to Pusan korea. A fun time was had by all. Except me. I was a lowly enlisted man, relegated to standing in a corner and continuously watching General Emerson should he summon me to pour him another scotch whiskey. I poured him a lot of scotch whiskey that night, And helped myself to some when no one was paying me any particular attention. Easy enough. An enlisted staff...

Broken

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When this was first published, no one, not even the doctors or the hospitals knew that my illness was Covid 19. It was only after it was discovered I had the antibodies, did it become clear. I'm only here to do one thing. To tell you a story. A cautionary  tale if you will. An important one. There are things that happen to us, that we cannot fathom. Things that come from so far afield, it's impossible to predict or even understand it....even in the midst of it happening. I'm not here to solicit sympathy. I'm here to warn you just how fast your whole world can fall apart. And what makes it so, so bad..... You don't have a clue that it's happening to you. Go get something to drink and settle in. I think this is something everyone should be aware of. In doing so, you just might live through it. My kid sister was having a rough time. When her husband died months back, it threw her into deep depression, and with his income no longer part of her support syst...