Deconstruction of a pathological narrative on November 9, 2015The New York Times has a motto: “All the news that’s fit to print.” This comforting thought was launched onto the page on October 25, 1896. It remains a hopeful reminder of the function of a free press. Today, this professional journalist lives by a separate creed. My creed has been built over the years […]
The rise of global nationalism on October 13, 2015What do you call the disenfranchised citizen on home soil, the one who has lost his voice in governance? He is a citizen-in-exile. And what happens when immigration policies collapse under the weight of a deluge of undocumented refugees? There is an equation on simple scale. It reads something like this: (Citizens-in-exile) x (burgeoning refugee […]
Shadow on April 9, 2015The shadow of Islamic State (IS) is elongating across the landscape. It moves across borders and into centres of commerce. The shadow brings urban warfare in its wake. The dawn of darkness is nearly here. And when this shadow envelopes the globe, mankind will cease to flourish. Natural disasters are cyclic. Floods, famines and natural […]
Terror in the Alps: accountability on April 2, 2015I once sent a civilian colleague to an officer recruiter with a personal recommendation. His attempt to become a direct commission officer was short-lived. His application process for the US Naval Reserves was interrupted when it was discovered he had a history of major depression. The recruiter called and gave a big woof and a […]
Hillary with horns on March 26, 2015Time magazine placed a silhouette of Hillary Clinton on the cover of the March 23 issue. The letter “M” is directly above her head. An optical illusion is the result. The woman is sporting a pair of horns. Time magazine released a statement on (get ready for it!) Friday the 13th: “Any resemblance to cats, […]
Brian Williams: obituary on February 19, 2015The angel of death comes quickly. It knocks on doors for the souls of men. But it also kicks in the door for careers. The angel knocked the breath out of Brian Williams’ career last week, hence the need for an obituary. Last week, Brian Williams’ life was the picture of social and economic health. […]
2015: my wish for each of you on February 8, 2015New Year’s Eve is a time of relaxation for many individuals. Nurses work through the holidays. Emergencies and human suffering do not recognise seasons of national celebration. I worked 13 hours on December 30. It was followed by a 24-hour call for the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). My workday began at eight am. Seventeen […]
Holistic counter-terrorism strategy s on February 5, 2015Dead Men Risen: An Epic Story of War and Heroism in Afghanistan Author: Toby Harnden Publisher: Regnery History Pages: 512 Step aside, Mark Bowden. Make room, Jake Tapper. Offer a salute, authors with selections that have made it to the coveted US Marine Corps Commandant’s Professional Reading List. One of the best military selections […]
In solidarity with freedom of expression on January 15, 2015It was early evening when I entered the hookah lounge and asked, “Where is Muhammad?” A man approached to shake my hand and responded with a smile, “I am Muhammad.” It is a running joke now. If you are a Muslim man, your name might be….” Returning the smile, I stated, “Not you! The other […]
The sons of Rekab on January 1, 2015Jehonadab, son of Rekab. He watched as an evil king allowed the calculated and efficient slaughter of a man and his lineage. A family tree was wiped out for a plot of land. Jehonadab, son of Rekab. Later, he observed as the heads of the 70 sons of the evil king were deposited into 70 […]