[August 22, 2019] The mythic traditions of our ancestors continue to reverberate in our society today. The classic hero is the knight that kills the dragon, rescues the maiden, and lives happily ever after. The idea that the hero slays the dragon is symbolic of what all humans’ value; to be free from the destructive chaos of the… Read More »
[August 21, 2019] It was a suggestion from my daughter that I write another article about what happens when leaders lie. Like me, she too is keenly conscious of leaders who lie. She said something recently that reminded me of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant. “By a lie, a man… annihilates his dignity as a man” – Immanuel… Read More »
[August 20, 2019] We were told to be on the lookout for the Soviet-built ZSU-23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft gun. In previous training exercises, the imitation ZSU had shot down several U.S. attack helicopters. We were missing the obvious battlefield threat of armored infantry and paid a heavy price in another scenario at the Fort Irwin simulated battlefield. In 1999… Read More »
[August 19, 2019] A few years ago, I wrote an article about the U.S. Congressional leadership authorizing attacks on British vessels in 1776. That strategic decision helped win the War of Independence. Later, with the U.S. Naval Act of 1794, Congress authorized the building of six frigates; one of the six built was named the USS Constitution. It… Read More »
[August 18, 2019] If you want to be a better leader, learn what motivates people by studying their code of conduct. Formal or informal, rules that spell-out how people should act are an invaluable window into their lives. A few days ago, while visiting the house of a friend; we got to talking about Genghis Khan, the fierce… Read More »
[August 17, 2019] Several of my friends and I got together the other day to review some of the progress we’ve made on military veteran issues in the state of New Jersey. Unexpectedly, our conversation turned to our time in the U.S. Army (one in the U.S. Navy) and the quality of new officers. What we decided was… Read More »
[August 16, 2019] Something is going on that most folks in the West don’t know much about, nor seem to care. In Hong Kong, officially a “special administrative region” of China,1 there are large protests that started with a new Chinese law allowing citizens in violation of the law to be extradited to China for trial. Initial protests… Read More »
[August 15, 2019] I’ve written a great many articles on moral courage and have highlighted a number of men and women who show what courage means. What I have not done is write about a beauty queen. Today, my blog post is about Miss Iraq Sarah Idan.1 She earns my respect for posting a picture of her with… Read More »
[August 14, 2019] My trip to a Boy Scout Campout gave me a new respect for what young boys do and what they think. The job of adult leaders at the camp was clear;1 they were to teach boys to stand on their own feet and to be valuable young adults. One of the first things they learn… Read More »
[August 13, 2019] If you’re a leader, you face many demands and it is easy to become overwhelmed. When you’re frantically busy and always stressed, you are unlikely to be an effective leader. Here are some reasons why you might be feeling overwhelmed and what you can do about it. You have too much to do and too… Read More »