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It Was Better Than Broadway

Recently, we attended a musical put on at the high school where our grandkids attend—in this case, Maple Grove. During the spring, musicals are being conducted at many of our local schools. As usual, I was “blown away” by the level of skill and professionalism displayed in the performance. It is hard to believe that kids ranging from 9th to 12th grade could put on such a performance. At intermission, I went up to the teacher and producer of the production and said: “This is better than Broadway,” and it was. There was a moving stage, a skilled ensemble playing the music...and ...

It’s not just inflation, it’s the way of life

One topic of conversation among all my friends and acquaintances is the shock of today’s prices – for everything. When I was a kid, I remember vividly that Saturday movies cost 12 cents. Granted, that was 70 years ago, but it was for three cartoons, the Movietone news of the day, two movies, with the continuing serial at the end. Looking back at it now, that was an afternoon’s entertainment for 3 cents an hour. Today it costs me 3 cents every time I sneeze – just for the Kleenex. I bought ginormous Milky Ways whenever I could scrounge up a nickel. Today’s movies cost $8. ...

Give and take on recent issues

Once again I’m offering my take on several issues. — I very much liked Star Parker’s recent column on Social Security because I remember looking at my paychecks, in those days before direct deposit, thinking that if I could have taken my contributions to Social Security and Medicare and invested them in the stock market. I would not have needed Social Security and Medicare because I would have retired as a very wealthy man. The stock market, even with periodic downturns like the 1929 and 2008 crashes, historically increases in value at a fairly steady rate, despite what ...

Funds for war could help needy in U.S.

A recent report on ABC indicated that as of April 18, the Iran War cost an estimated $50 billion. The president earlier requested a trillion dollars from Congress to cover future war costs. Readers understand that they’re paying the bill. The boss did say that part of the expense could be covered by defraying monies intended for education, health care and other programs affecting detrimentally people who most need them. But that’s OK because who cares about the poor? Hidden away in urban ghettoes and rural hollows, they lack the voices to make much noise about the cuts. Those ...

Who is to blame in the latest shooting?

It would be amusing if it wasn’t so serious. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and several other Democrats were on weekend programs calling for a toning down of the political conversation following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. Jeffries went so far as to say we are all Americans. This after regularly denouncing the president in harsh tones. Another of the bad rhetorical offenders has been Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). He has called the president an authoritarian who threatens the Constitution, rule of law and democracy. There are ...

Thinking About the U.S. Navy

Many years ago I was in the United States Navy, a junior officer on the deck of a small ship homeported in Japan. These memories never leave you and have been in my mind now with the recent naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. I can almost guarantee you that enforcing blockades was not a skill taught at Navy Officers Candidate School. Attacking, shelling, ship-to-ship warfare, amphibious landings—yes. Blockade enforcement?—I cannot recall that having ever been taught. Yet, I am not greatly concerned. I found during my 3 ½ years on active duty, including Vietnam, that Navy ...