A Common Sea
The Soapbox
Remembering the Sacrifices
This quote from an ancient Greek historian is never more apt than when you read the stories of real American heroes. (And I’m not talking about GI Joe). Check out the Center of Military History and look through their archive of Medal of Honor winners. Read the citations, such as those of Cpl Jason … Continue reading
Reblog: An Open Letter to Victoria’s Secret from a Father
Parents have a lot of pressure on them these days. We are assaulted with all sorts of challenges to the values we work so hard to instill in our children. Is it too much to ask for a little help from the media and companies who (like it or not) play an influential role in … Continue reading
Five Ways to Help After Hurricane Sandy
The draft of this post has changed direction several times since I started writing it last Friday. It started out as a casual post that morphed into a rant and then changed focus again as I tried to make it more positive. Last week I was struggling with the notion that my life had gotten … Continue reading
October is ______ Awareness Month
I want to preface this post by saying that I firmly support all efforts to find a cure for cancer, and that I do believe that breast cancer is a serious issue. But I have a problem with the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. Every October, businesses and organizations around the country start pushing “pink”—pink ribbons, … Continue reading
Free Speech: I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means
I’m going to preface this post with the disclaimer that I’m not a Constitutional scholar, though I’ve played one on Twitter. But I have read the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights front to back, and I keep a copy near my desk for reference. Comes with being a Poli Sci major. And a … Continue reading
Five on Friday: On Parents, Phones and Being Preoccupied
For the last few days, I was tossing around different ideas for the Friday Five and I kept coming back to smart phones, and how I use mine for practically everything except actually talking on the phone. Bingo! I could easily list five ways that I use my smart phone. It was kind of a … Continue reading
Modern Pop Isn’t Fit to Hold Mavis Staples’s Bags
Today is the birthday of the legendary Mavis Staples. Born in Chicago in 1939, Mavis began her career singing with her family band in The Staple Singers. By the 1960s, their soulful addition to the music scene lent rhythm to the civil rights movement, and Mavis and her family were known for their soulful covers … Continue reading
A Memorial Day Salute
In the US, the last Monday in May is reserved for Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for the military members who have served their country faithfully and especially for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Most of us tend to mark the day as the unofficial start to the summer season–opening pools, hosting BBQs, … Continue reading
On this Mother’s Day, can we agree we’re all “Mom Enough”?
It’s Mother’s Day. I’ve gotten breakfast in bed and adorable trinkets made just for me, as well as a special gift from my dear husband. I’ve also broken up one fight and sent three whining children to their rooms for much-needed late-morning naps. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my day. And … Continue reading
W is for (The) West Wing
I’ve been interested in politics since I was small enough to fit on my grandpa’s lap. In my family, we were big Reagan fans, and I can remember watching his speeches and press conferences with a sense of adoration for the man who reminded me of my beloved Grandpa. I used to have tea parties … Continue reading
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