Author Archives: Douglas R. Satterfield
[April 22, 2026] Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s April 15, 2026, UT Austin speech is one of the most important arguments for our form of government given in my lifetime, so I’m sharing my take here. His speech is pure originalist constitutionalism (see embedded video at the end). In the speech, Thomas anchors the entire American system in… Read More »
[April 21, 2026] Here are some practical, actionable ideas to immerse yourself in the U.S. Army’s culture before enlisting. The Army has a distinct mix of formal elements (ranks, customs, courtesies, core values) and informal elements (unwritten rules, humor, jargon, unit pride, “Hooah” mindset, and a strong emphasis on hierarchy, teamwork, and resilience). This article gives more tips… Read More »
[April 20, 2026] Back in the early 1960s, us kids grabbed the Sunday paper for one big reason: the comics. Right in the middle sat Snuffy Smith, the lazy hillbilly from Hootin’ Holler. Yes! I could identify with him. He was just like my Grandpappy Smith from a small, cozy town in Louisiana with no traffic light. Snuffy,… Read More »
[April 19, 2026] If you grew up with a Southern dad, this list hits like a well-worn tool belt; equal parts wisdom, warning, and wink. It’s not polished advice from a self-help book. It’s the raw, no-nonsense code passed down in garages, on fishing trips, and over Waffle House coffee. These sayings by Emma Banes capture a way… Read More »
[April 18, 2026] It was early in my third combat tour in Iraq, late 2010. My boss, a Brigadier General in the Engineers, called me into his office for a quick discussion. Four detainees had escaped from Camp Cropper, the U.S. military’s main detainee camp near Baghdad International Airport—BIAP. I was Chief of Staff for Engineers under United… Read More »
[April 16, 2026] On occasion, I highlight the work of someone I admire. USMC Veteran Richard Martin is one of those men who has earned our nation’s respect. He is also a great friend of all Veterans, including me. I certainly did not expect such an outpouring of talent in the form of poems from a tough-as-nails Marine.… Read More »
[April 15, 2026] I discovered that Soldiers who can grind out their duties under tough U.S. Army Commanders repeatedly say the same thing: it was the hardest job of their lives, but they did the best work they ever produced. Even after brutal feedback or sudden exits, they look back and admit the pressure they were under forged… Read More »
[April 14, 2026] Elon Musk has been blunt: the American formal education system is failing. It’s outdated, inefficient, and increasingly captured by ideology. For years, he’s pointed out its core problems and pushed practical fixes. Here’s what he says is wrong and how to fix it. The factory assembly line model is the biggest flaw. Schools group kids… Read More »
[April 13, 2026] Kids growing up in the 1950s and 1960s learned to be resilient and independent from a young age. They faced challenges head-on, often without protective gear or constant supervision. Lessons in perseverance and self-reliance were woven into everyday life. If something broke, you learned to fix it or made do with what you had. This… Read More »
[April 12, 2026] John Wayne rode his horse like he owned the whole prairie, and folks still talk about the quiet strength he brought to every role. His characters didn’t whine or make a big show when trouble came knocking. They squared their shoulders, kept their word, and got the job done. That’s stoicism, cowboy style; facing the… Read More »