[January 25, 2022] The idea of ‘negative charisma’ has been popular these past few years. But is it something real for legitimate discussion, or is it just a way of describing someone you don’t like? Several pundits say that VP Kamala Harris has negative charisma. Does she? True enough, I am a cheerleader for learning lessons from leaders… Read More »
[January 24, 2022] The Greeks had a maxim, “know thyself.” This maxim, of course, was not new in the time of the Greeks. The importance of knowing yourself as the basis of a successful life goes back into the darkness of human antiquity. It is a story that repeatedly resonates. Why? Because it’s true. How do we come… Read More »
[January 22, 2022] A message for men. You have only two choices in life. Be a real man and walk with the Devil or be a wimp and live a life of hatred and misery. There is no in-between. American hero James Megellas of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment decided that walking with the Devil was not enough. … Read More »
[January 21, 2022] I’m sick of wokism. Wokism, a pernicious ideology that has wrecked grief and misery upon all of us because it requires, at its very core, a soft tyranny bordering on fascism, destroying the unfaithful and crushing our souls. It is the forced acceptance of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual preference as the fundamental defining characteristic… Read More »
[January 19, 2022] Occasionally, I offer some not-so-random thoughts in writing that I’ve stored away in my mental rucksack. My “rucksack” will never be retired. Today, I’m pulling out a number of these for comment. I like them. Regular readers will instantly recognize the list. Some have taken to calling them “Dougisms.” Dougisms: Tell the truth or you’ll… Read More »
[January 17, 2022] One of the many advantages of living outside the big city is a close connection to the local government. Early this month, those newly elected politicians are taking their rightful seats. They earned it. Issues in their election were local and will now play a role at the beginning of their tenure. But, there is… Read More »
[January 15, 2022] Shortly after returning from my first deployment to Iraq in 2005 (documented in my recent book), I was notified of another pending deployment. 2006 and 2007 would find me again in Iraq with about a year off for “good behavior.” A good friend told me that I should be happy ‘getting after it again. He… Read More »
[January 14, 2022] Yesterday, I had no post on my blog, something very rare. I make it a point to post each day. Part of posting is the discipline making it so. But due to a sudden medical condition, I spent many hours in my local hospital Emergency Room. I’ll be off-line for a few days. A few… Read More »
[January 7, 2022] An often-quoted rule in combat is to don’t assume nuttin’. As soon as you do, your world will begin to fall apart, and people will know you failed to do your homework. Facts matter; suppositions don’t count for anything. Making assumptions in combat will get you or your buddy killed. “Don’t assume nuttin’ … the… Read More »
[January 4, 2022] This sounds like advice from my maternal grandmother, Bigmama (yes, that is what we really called her). She was keen on her grandkids not doing stupid stuff (see her advice here and here). Likewise, Jocko Willink, retired U.S. Navy SEAL, tells us the same thing; adopt discipline and stop doing stupid things. Sounds easy. Well,… Read More »