Category Archives: Health of the Republic

What Michael Steel Won’t Let Me Post

Posted on 2009 December 30 by mongreldogs

OK, that’s melodramatic.  All that’s occurred so far is that their mediocre site has choked several times since I’ve tried to post a comment in response to a blog post there.  The post blames President Obama for the jobs lost … Continue reading →

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Security v. Security Theater

Posted on 2009 November 14 by mongreldogs

Not surprisingly, Bruce Schneier has an excellent piece talking about the psychological dimensions of terrorism and what a strong, stable industrial democracy can do in the face of amorphous threats… without sacrificing its principles, its freedoms, or its citizens. If … Continue reading →

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Knowing is Half the Battle

Posted on 2009 August 17 by mongreldogs

I was cruising TechDirt and saw a neat post on “Is The Federal Government The Most Interesting Tech Startup For 2009?“  The idea is that the recent data.gov initiative has led to an outpouring of with-it and effective apps allowing … Continue reading →

Posted in Health of the Republic, politics, review, technology | Leave a comment

“We are not a people who fear the future. We are a people who make it.”

Posted on 2009 July 4 by mongreldogs

In general, I’m not overly impressed with the Presidential Saturday radio address (now of course really a YouTube address).  But I liked today‘s, probably because it resonates with something I’ve said before (twice, even). Happy Birthday, America.

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Health of the Republic: Reset to 50%

Posted on 2009 January 20 by mongreldogs

It’s been a while since I’ve updated this ticker.  And it remains completely arbitrary, of course.  But with a new administration taking hold of the reins, it’s time for some (cautious) optimism about the restoration of the Republic.  I have … Continue reading →

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Worst. President. EVER.

Posted on 2009 January 20 by mongreldogs

I know it’s early to ring in with the verdict of history and I know there’s room for reasonable debate. But I feel pretty sure that this will indeed be the epitaph of George Walker Bush, 43rd President of the … Continue reading →

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America the Beautiful

Posted on 2009 January 18 by mongreldogs

A stirring rendition, courtesy of Beyoncé at HBO’s “We Are One” Inauguration Concert.

Posted in Health of the Republic, music, politics, teaching | Leave a comment

Words Fail Me

Posted on 2009 January 11 by mongreldogs

From the “sunset interview” in People (as quoted at Shakesville): Which moments from the last eight years do you revisit most often? THE PRESIDENT: I definitely think about the families I’ve met of the fallen soldiers—about the compassion, love and … Continue reading →

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Dawn Breaks

Posted on 2008 November 4 by mongreldogs

A few minutes ago, Fox News — Fox News! — called the Presidential race for Senator Barack Obama. By now most networks have agreed, and apparently Senator John McCain has conceded the race. Wow. It’s going to take a while … Continue reading →

Posted in American cantos, Health of the Republic, politics, Writing | 1 Comment

Why Bother to Vote?

Posted on 2008 November 3 by mongreldogs

I wrote this at the request of my friend Maureen Leming, who is also Director of Annual Giving and Communications, and who wanted to send it out to the local media. No one bit, but I like it enough that … Continue reading →

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