Is It Moral to Own Captured Military Gear?

By | February 11, 2023

[February 11, 2023]  Several readers wrote to me pointing out that recently captured Russian military gear (e.g., helmets, body armor, boots) are for sale on eBay, Etsy, and several other sites.  The claim is that this gear, mostly individual combat equipment, was captured during the Ukraine War and is being offered as a war trophy.  The question is… Read More »

Make a Decision: balloon edition

By | February 10, 2023

[February 10, 2023]  Why do terrible things happen worldwide?  The answer is quite simple; it’s because you’re not good enough and because you don’t tell the truth, and you know it, and because you can’t make a decision.  A basic rule of leadership is, “Make a decision.”  That’s what real leaders do. “Be decisive.  Right or wrong, make… Read More »

Mistakes Men Make: Part I

By | February 9, 2023

[February 9, 2023]   Men make mistakes that have negative results for them and those around them.  Men often don’t realize they are making these mistakes until it’s too late.  So, to help raise awareness, here are a few mistakes men make. “All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong and… Read More »

You Gotta See This Gal:  Jedediah Bila

By | February 8, 2023

[February 8, 2023]  I’m still laughing.  Moments ago, I listened to a video podcast of a real tiger of a woman, Jedediah Bila.  She’s funny, witty, and really out there on today’s women (and men) affairs and how these they have destroyed themselves when it comes to long-term relationships, family, and security.  Jedediah Bila is an American television… Read More »

Uses & Abuses of Military History

By | February 7, 2023

[February 7, 2023]  My favorite military historian Victor Davis Hanson has a recent article on the uses and abuses of military history.  Once again, he is turning our heads toward a better understanding of our responsibility to encourage learning about war so we don’t repeat past mistakes. “War accelerates and intensifies the human experience.” Military history is based… Read More »

War and Brotherhood

By | February 6, 2023

[February 6, 2023]  At the request of many readers and to pursue what I’ve wanted to do for a long time, I will discuss some of my thoughts on war and brotherhood and try to understand what they mean.  Using common thinking tools, I’ll shed some light on the human mind and, frankly, expand our thinking regarding the… Read More »

Why Soldiers Miss War

By | February 4, 2023

[February 4, 2023]  Sebastian Junger answers a question that has chased me for many decades.  He gave a TED Talk (link here, 12:55 minutes) to explain.  Junger believes he knows why soldiers miss war. A few years ago, on my blog, I tried to answer a similar question a high school student asked: “Do you miss war?”  I… Read More »

Arrogance and Resentment: Evil’s Folly

By | February 3, 2023

[February 3, 2023]  Is there a way to conduct your life in such a manner that the inherent susceptibility that characterizes your life is not just acceptable but desirable?  That is the central question of existence. Tragedy With regard to tragedy, humans are vulnerable.  And that is tragic.  But if that is the price we pay for existence,… Read More »

Discipline and Sacrifice

By | February 2, 2023

[February 2, 2023]  Discipline means that you can make sacrifices for your future self.  You must understand that today you are not disciplined if you just do more of what you want. Discipline is when you want to do something right now and instead put it off your gratification.  Do this forever, maybe, but at least for a… Read More »