[March 22, 2023]   I grew up around a bunch of World War II vets.  They thrilled me with tales of combat against the Nazis and Japanese.  I learned a lot from these men, and I also learned a few things from military drama television series that were set in WWII.  One show I enjoyed was 12 O’clock High… Read More »

[March 20, 2023]   If you are a harmless man, as we are told we must be, then you are just harmless, like a frightened fluffy animal.  You will not be useful to you or those around you.  Fluffy animals get eaten.  A good man is a monster but who does not act like a monster. I wrote a… Read More »

[March 19, 2023]   Can we predict the outcome of the Ukraine War?  Nearly 13 months into the war and the outcome is still uncertain, so even an informed prediction will be suspect.  Additionally, extensive Western propaganda, state secrets, and an unofficial and unstable coalition surrounding Ukraine, all combine to make a mess out of any prediction. The Ukraine… Read More »

[March 18, 2023]   I had just finished a talk on the motivation of Soldiers.  A young Sergeant came up to me and said that he had heard me discussing how to provide encouragement to our troops.  He noted how much I said had really helped him, and then he started walking away. I said, “Hold on, what’s your… Read More »

[March 17, 2023]   I was recently asked by one of my readers what was the most important rule in your book, 55 Rules for a Good Life, and why.  My answer was easy.  Never lie, cheat, or steal.  The reason is that it is an excellent starting position to straighten out your life.  And, of these, never lie… Read More »

[March 16, 2023]   Everywhere I’ve worked, I learned that if you go beyond the basics and push yourself beyond the minimum and show some humility to learn, you will get ahead of the game.  But, there will also be corruption that will hunt you down, and it will catch you and drag you down from getting ahead.  Keep… Read More »

[March 15, 2023]   You have nothing better to do than to be right.  That is at the heart of being a person; one who knows what is good, acts properly, does not break in the face of evil or tragedy, and stands with those who are weak and defenseless.  A young Army Officer asked me the other day… Read More »

[March 14, 2023]   In 1960, a small group of boys sat in a movie theater to watch the second movie any of them had seen; the first was King Kong.  All I remember from it was the finale’s Roman chariot race in MGM film Ben Hur (1959).  We sat there, eyes open wide and transfixed.  It should be… Read More »