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AMERICAN WAY FINDS NEW TRADITIONS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT

The American way used go be different. Not that we’re living in a new world, but it’s just different. Instead of “do your work, keep your mouth shut, treats others fairly” we get “find a gig, live out loud, tell others how to do it.” That’s a change from the lock-step life celebrated by those […]

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE UPDATE: NOW WHAT?

We all understand American Independence from a historical point of view. “Freedom from the tyranny of taxation without representation.” And other tyrannies? What about independence from other tyrannies? Can we get freedom from self-imposed tyrannies? Personal tyranny? If so, how? That’s the question, how? You could read an essay for starters. It’s an Oregon-born essay […]

AMERICAN IGNORANCE YOU CAN COUNT ON IN A PINCH

American ignorance is a special kind of stupid. Start with the smart people who screw up, like the man who leans into your face to explain how wrong you are about wearing a mask. Or the men and women who possess a special knowledge that goes beyond science when they make fun of mask wearing […]

AMERICAN JOURNEY: ASK FOR DIRECTIONS NOW AND THEN

The American journey was once a clear path: Behave yourself, finish school, get a job. Followed by: meet someone special and start a family. Then teach kids to behave themselves, finish school, and get a job. With all the work done, find a good rocking chair for the porch and relax. It’s been on repeat […]

AMERICAN STEW, A RECIPE OF HOPE AND HEALTH

American stew, in spite of the name, is a delicate dish with a layered flavor profile. The ingredients are common to most every country, but the preparation and cooking temperature are the biggest difference. What American stew is not, is half-baked. It’s also not for diners who eat out of cans with a plastic fork, […]

AMERICAN ORIGINAL: BE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT MEANS

An American original sounds special? Maybe too special, like a club that only allows members with the proper appearance, background, and complexion? And somehow you don’t fit any of the criteria? You don’t need permission to be an American original, even with feelings of being left out, discarded, passed over. But if that is how […]

AMERICAN STORY TOLD COAST TO COAST. GOT ONE?

The American story drenched in bitter hardships overcome is the most American of stories. It’s the woman who married a man in the 1930’s only to learn he was not the man she thought he was. Who was he?

SPEAK HYSTERICALLY AND PUSH A BIG SCHTICK? NOT TEDDY

A manly man, one who pushes their manliness over the limit, uses a big schtick. We like them, we fear them, we want to be them. But, there are conditions. It’s hard being a soft man pretending to be a manly man. Do you know the difference? Here to help.

AMERICAN JOBS: HOW TO GET FIRED

American jobs cross all boundaries and occupations. Work life is the common thread that connects east to west, north to south. From fields to factories, back rooms to board rooms, Americans show up to get things done. What does it take to get fired in America?

AMERICAN STORY FROM THE LEFT COAST

Listen hard enough and the sound of progress is the American story. But coming from the wrong mouth to the wrong ears, the story gets twisted a different direction. Is progress defined as making new discoveries to help more people live better lives? I’m going with that until you, dear reader, come up with something […]