Trending in ....
Religion
Understanding Islam
The shocking collapse of the al-Assad regime in Syria revealed the schism among the various branches of Islam. Since its origin in the 7th Century, these factions lived in harmony for centuries. But the discovery of oil reserves set the Middle East on fire as countries jockeyed for power and control of the oil markets. Of the 1.8 Muslims in the world, 85% are Sunni and only 15% are Shia. Most Middle East countries have a mixture of both sects even if they have a majority of one of the branches....
Public Policy
Innocents Abroad
We have been told that Immigration Reform, Solutions to the Climate Crisis, and Gun Violence all will be resolved on January 21st. I can’t wait to see the details. We know the general idea — break things. Get rid of the establishment, or anyone who knows what they’re doing, and do away with taxes and services. All that money just goes to deadbeats anyway. None of the generals know anything. Everyone keeps wondering when President Musk is going to move out....
Politics
Changing of the Guard
The big event in 2024 was the election of Donald Trump for a second term as President. The Democrats ran a positive and hopeful campaign that mis-read the mood of the country. The majority are fearful, angry, and resentful of those whom they consider the elite. The Republicans convinced them that the government was at fault rather than the corporations. A handful of Billionaires control most of the wealth of the country, but they are seen as successful businessmen rather than greedy manipulators of the tax system. The working poor have been stuck working two jobs for decades just to get by, and they’ve had enough of it....
LGBTQ+
Project 2025
A document called “Project 2025” developed by the Heritage Foundation in 2024 proposed a wide range of changes in government, federal regulations, and federal cabinet departments. It may become the new Bible of Federal regulations and legislation. The acronym LGBTQ may overnight disappear from all federal documents. Similarly, DEI may be wiped out. Since government usually proceeds at a snail’s pace, it is hard to assume that anything will change that quickly. We simply will not disappear from public view. We’re not going back in the closet regardless of what the Feds may say.
Travel
Fayetteville
Growth in Fayetteville came slowly until WWII with what then was known as Fort Bragg, now known as Fort Liberty. Some small industries, Fort Liberty and Pope Army Airfield and eight defense contractors provide most of the employment in the county. They pump about $4.5 billions a year into the regional economy. The economy rises and falls with the deployment of the military. Some 200,000 trained at the Fort in WWII and Vietnam before deployment overseas...
General
Season’s Greetings
Our traditions are very specific to segments of societies all around the world. I refuse to pass judgment. I believe that each of us should be able celebrate our own traditions in our own way. This is a season of celebration that goes back to pre-history and is as modern as today. The gift of love is universal and is most important in an era filled with hate.