Tag Archives: getting a grip

Veterans Day and Patriotism

Veterans Day and ideas about patriotism overlap, so I’ll start with an admission. On the whole, I like being an American. That’s partly because I think that “America” includes much more than this country’s national government. A little over a … Continue reading

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So? Let Her!

My wife grew up in a very “Catholic” family. That doesn’t mean what you might think it does: old-fashioned clothes, candles everywhere, too many children, and the girls brought up to be doormats. Okay, granted: my wife is the second … Continue reading

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A Road to Bemidji

Two tourists in Canada asked someone which city they were in. The man replied, “Saskatoon, Saskatchewan”. One of the tourists said “oh! They don’t speak English here!” I haven’t heard that one in more than a half-century, there’s a lead-up … Continue reading

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Corn Altar, Communist Crucifix, AI Pope Pic: Perspectives

About a week ago, in a discussion of what’s been happening in Vatican City, someone referred to the late Pope Francis as a “commie in a cassock”. I hadn’t run into that particular phrase, but I’m all too familiar with … Continue reading

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BART Drivers and the Importance of Being Human

San Francisco’s BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) system wasn’t the world’s first automated transit system, or even the first in this country. But it was among the first all-new American rapid transit systems designed in the 20th century. BART was … Continue reading

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