Sunday Reads...10/13/2024
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
Quip of Note “The whole connection between work and the output we live on is being lost in many people’s minds. To many, the country somehow has wealth, which we should all share – and “fairly.” The most basic fairness of contributing to the efforts that produced what you want to share escapes them completely.” – Thomas Sowell
Sunday Reads...9/22/2024
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
"Three secrets to success: Be willing to learn new things. Be able to assimilate new information quickly. Be able to get along with and work with other people." - Sally Ride
Sunday Reads...9/15/2024
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
Quote of the Day: "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool." -Richard Feynman Sunday Reads...9/8/2024
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
Quote of the Day: "In short, there’s nothing inherently corrupting about market forces determining prices. In fact, paying your way is dignifying." - Deirdre McCloskey
The Five Sisters - A new release!8/11/2024
Adapted from Red, White & Verse, my poem about the Great Lakes, "The Five Sisters," is my first musical release. Enjoy the lyrics adapted from my poem, with the score and vocals rendered by software.
It was an honor to join Jim Holcomb and the Michigan Chamber's podcast, MI Business Matters, to discuss Red, White & Verse.
Populismus7/23/2024
What is this ancient impulse gifts impart,
To crowds, currying favor, hearts to sway? Did not the Gracchi brother’s wealth depart, Spreading it wide to gain power’s bright array? Did Cleopatra not her rivals thwart, Robbing the few, the many’s needs to lay? Such deeds of old, how echoes still remain, In time’s vast stretch, this urge we can’t restrain. What is this timeless urge, these rallying cries, Against the elites, the masses to incite? Did Cleisthenes not from high ranks arise, Bringing down nobles, wielding his own might? Did Jan Žižka, with peasant voices wise, Challenge the enterprising, stir the fight? So Socrates might ask, with wisdom keen, Are these not truths we’ve ever plainly seen? RWV | Midwest Book Review7/12/2024
Red, White & Verse - Our Myths, Legends, & Stories
Greg McNeilly Ballast Books, LLC www.ballastbooks.com 9781962202220, $24.99 PB, $9.99 Kindle, 279 pages https://www.amazon.com/Red-White-Verse-Legends-Stories/dp/1962202224 Synopsis: Step into a world where the essence of America shines brightly in the poetry collection Red, White & Verse by the talented author Greg McNeilly. Through captivating verses, this collection brings to life the inspiring figures, iconic landmarks, and pivotal events that have shaped the American narrative. It's more than just poetry; it's a journey that invites you to rekindle our connection to each other and our shared history, making you an integral part of the narrative. Whether it's the bravery of Pocahontas, the resilience of Frederick Douglass, or the unity seen in the aftermath of tragic events like Pearl Harbor and September 11, each poem in this collection vividly portrays the historical significance of American heroism, inspiring a deep sense of respect and admiration. Critique: From the allure of natural wonders like the Grand Canyon to the glamour of Hollywood, Red, White & Verse beautifully captures the diverse tapestry of the American experience. Accompanied by historical facts and intricate hand-drawn illustrations, this collection is a testament to the enduring spirit of the United States. Dive into the pages of Red, White & Verse and let the poetry awaken your patriotism and pride in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Enter the American pride and patriotism world with Greg McNeilly's awe-inspiring collection of verse. His words resonate with the true heart of American values and ignite a sense of belonging and unity. Prepare to embark on a literary journey that will make you proud to be an American! (Reprinted from Midwest Book Review) Sunday Reads...6/2/2024
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
Quote of the Day: “The conception of freedom under the law … rests on the contention that when we obey laws, in the sense of general abstract rules laid down irrespective of their application to us, we are not subject to another man’s will and are therefore free. It is because the lawgiver does not know the particular cases to which his rules will apply, and it is because the judge who applies them has no choice in drawing the conclusions that follow from the existing body of rules and the particular facts of the case, that it can be said that laws and not men rule.” – F.A. Hayek
Memorial Day - Remember the Brave5/27/2024
Remember the BraveA poem from Red, White & Verse.
Unfurl the flags, O Michigan! First of all states to remember, To mark the day of those who’ve gone, in the glow of late May’s ember. From Decoration to Memorial, the name, it has evolved, Yet the essence of its purpose, in our hearts remains resolved. Once upon the thirtieth day, now the last Monday we find, The calendar bows to the rhythm of the nation, the rhythm of mankind. In the pleasant early summer, when the air is warm and light, We pause to remember those who gave their all in the fight. RWV | MBS Interview5/8/2024
Interview with RWV MBSClick To Add TextMichigan's Big Show with Michael Patrick Shiels - May 8, 2024
Book Review | Knife5/5/2024
KNIFE: Meditations After an Attempted Murder | Salman Rushdie, Random House (2024) 224pSalman Rushdie’s "KNIFE" emerges not merely as a memoir following a profound personal crisis but as a meditative, philosophical exploration of violence, survival, and the indomitable spirit of the word against the sword. With "KNIFE," Rushdie again demonstrates why he remains one of our most crucial voices against the fascism of certainty.
Rushdie’s self-reflections are neither deep nor profound. He is a much better writer than he is a thinker. His orthodox critical theory genuflections grow tiresome. But as a survivor on the front lines in the battle for free minds, he’s a hero. The book’s 224 pages are not just a recounting of the horrific attack on Rushdie but introspection and interrogation of the forces that continue to shape our discourse around freedom of speech and extremism. Sunday Reads...5/5/2024
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
Quote of the Day: "Above all, do not lie to yourself. A man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point where he does not discern any truth either in himself or anywhere around him and thus falls into disrespect towards himself and others. Not respecting anyone, he ceases to love, and having no love, he gives himself up to passions and coarse pleasures, in order to occupy and amuse himself, and in his vices reaches complete bestiality, and it all comes from lying continually to others and to himself. A man who lies to himself is often the first to take offense. It sometimes feels very good to take offense, doesn't it? And surely he knows that no one has offended him, and that he himself has invented the offense and told lies just for the beauty of it, that he has exaggerated for the sake of effect, that he has picked on a word and made a mountain out of a pea--he knows all of that, and still he is the first to take offense, he likes feeling offended, it gives him great pleasure, and thus he reaches the point of real hostility" - Fydor Dostoevsky
MUST WATCH | Screams Before Silence5/1/2024
“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.” ― Albert Einstein Sunday Reads...4/28/2024
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
Quote of the Day: “Human beings are born with different capacities; if they are free, they are not equal. If they are equal, they are not free.” - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Sunday Reads...3/31/2024
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
Quote of the Day: All governments suffer a recurring problem: power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible. - Frank Herbert
Book Review | Fatal Discord3/31/2024
Hatching an egg, Another laid
Fatal Discord, Erasmus, Luther, and the Fight for the Western World. | Michael Massing, HarperOne (2018) 1008p. Dense, yes. Hefty, absolutely. However, neither of these qualities should be off-putting to those curious about the world we inhabit. This is not a tome merely for the academically inclined; it is much more relevant to today’s current events than its subject matter unsuspectingly suggests. To reach this relevance, the reader must slog through amazingly detailed accounts of obscure internecine battles and absorb precise delineations of a distant time. While this context density extends the journey, its travelers are provided an understanding previously only available to those with advanced medieval studies. The author's central thesis is that the break with the medieval world, which birthed the modern, is the fault line of disagreement between Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus. This intensely pitched divide ultimately unfolds as the division between what we now recognize as Christian humanism and Christian evangelism. Sunday Reads...3/10/2024
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
Quote of the Day: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” ― Marcus Aurelius
Sunday Reads...3/3/2024
Sunday Reads...
An irregular round-up of interesting reads. Most of these made me go "hmmmmm," none of them imply concurrence:
Quote of the Day: It seems almost a law of human nature that it is easier for people to agree on a negative program—on the hatred of an enemy, on the envy of those better off—than on any positive task. The contrast between “we” and “they,” the common fight against those outside the group, seems to be an essential ingredient in any creed which will solidly knit together a group for common action. It is consequently always employed by those who seek, not merely support of a policy, but the unreserved allegiance of huge masses. From their point of view it has the advantage of leaving them greater freedom of action than almost any positive program. […]. - F.A. Hayek
AckmanBook Review | The Book of Charlie - The Life of Charlie White
THE BOOK OF CHARLIE: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man | Donald Von Drehle, Simon & Schuster (2023), 208p.
In this book,” Donald Von Drehle presents an enriching narrative transcending conventional biography. It's a captivating exploration of Charlie's life, an American centenarian who spans over a century of significant historical events and societal changes. This book review delves into resilience, kindness, and life's transient nature, as seen through Charlie's experiences. Von Drehle's portrayal of Charlie is not just a chronicle of a long life; it's a deep dive into human experience. The narrative beautifully intertwines the personal with the historical, shedding light on Charlie's journey against the backdrop of pivotal American epochs. From World War I to the Civil Rights Movement, Charlie's life offers an in-depth perspective on these landmark events, enriching the reader's understanding of history through someone who witnessed it firsthand. |
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