What Goes up Comes Down

I've been wanting to put up a new post for some time now, but I've been swamped at work and with family issues. But at the moment I am watching the snow blow around outside my window contemplating clearing my driveway. Since I am not too enthusiastic about doing that I thought now would be a good time to write about something. I know there are many topics out there, the fires in Australia, the killing of Soleimani, the downing of the civilian aircraft by Iran and, of course, the impeachment of Donald Trump. But a friend had suggested a topic a little while back that maybe it is time we looked a little more closely at, population decline.

Recently here in Minnesota we have started talking about our declining population and what that will mean to our future well being. I know there are those who worry about population increase, but in reality we are actually looking at just the opposite. Years ago in the 50's and 60's we had what everyone called a “baby boom” leading to what was later called the “Boomer generation”. Nowadays being designated a “Boomer” has become somewhat of an insult in certain quarters. There seems to be a growing rift between generations. But I digress.

I ran across this rather neat video showing the changing population rates in various countries. They run it over a large span of years showing what has happened and what they believe will happen in the future. Some of the numbers in various countries may surprise you.

In Minnesota we speculate on whether or not we will lose a seat in the House because of population decline, but perhaps that is a minor consequence compared to other things. I remember a trip I took some years ago out to the western states of the US. I visited a ghost town up in the mountains. Sometimes it is good to visit the past. It may be a foreshadowing of things to come.

Others have dealt with their own population declines in other ways. You may want to visit a town in Japan that has tried a different approach. Well, one resident has, anyway.

Yes, it's a little sad, I know. So I will end this post with a little upbeat news. At least for one city in Japan.

Now, my driveway awaits...and the sun has come out...

Can we still see the Star?

Merry Christmas!

Partisans and Patriots

Yesterday was December 7. It was a day that many older Americans remember and many younger ones should learn about. Some may feel it was a more innocent time, where events were black and white, where Americans could stand up as one people and respond to an attack on their country with one voice.

In case many of you have missed it, there is currently just as serious an attack on the future of our democracy. It was one that was envisioned by those who created the United States of America. This isn't about party affiliation, or shouldn't be. This is about standing up as one people and doing what is right. Even if it means standing against those in our country who seek to tear it apart for their own agenda.

Partisans or Patriots? Listen and you shall hear.

More from Less

Yes, it's time for another book. I will state up front that I have not read this book...yet. It just came to my attention today. However, it's subject matter deserves delving into. For it deals partly with an issue that has been brought up in the comments section in the past, the effects of population growth. As so many have assumed, me included, the effects of a rise in population on our planetary resources could only lead to their depletion. But as some have suggested there may be technological, and other advances, that have just the opposite effect. This book sheds light on that argument. The book is:

More from Less - by Andrew McAfee

Without further introduction I will let Andrew McAfee explain:

I think it important to emphasize the last point that McAfee makes about the involvement of good government. None of this would have occurred if it weren't for smart policy decisions by past governments. And we are now in danger of undoing some of that good,

Why I Left a Cult

Does any of this sound familiar?

Does anyone she describes sound familiar?  Sometimes even the most intelligent of person can be deceived... 

Born to Walk Alone

As many of you already know President Donald Trump recently ordered all of our troops to withdraw from northern Syria, effectively abandoning our Kurdish allies who have been so instrumental in our fight against ISIS. The Kurds are no stranger to betrayal, but this is not what America stands for. Or at least it shouldn't be.

Senator Mitt Romney recently spoke about this on the floor of the Senate.

He is not the only person questioning this policy of Donald Trump. The Kurds are not just allies of the US but friends to many of our military personnel. Many are not happy with what they perceive as a dishonorable betrayal.

One military wife penned an open letter to the Kurds.

Open letter to the Kurds

But this has not been Donald Trump's only betrayal. His actions in putting his own political and financial well being before the good of America have betrayed his oath of office to uphold and protect the Constitution. Perhaps what is even worse is that so many Americans either do not understand or actually support what he is doing. To deliberately undermine the dream that our country was built on is their own betrayal.

Recently, retired General James Mattis spoke at an event. I had only heard the clip of one of his jokes and hadn't listened to the full video until a friend sent me a copy. He said that it might be a good idea for all of us to listen. I did, and he was right.

Take a few minutes and listen to what James Mattis has to say.

The full quote by Abraham Lincoln:

“Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;--let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children's liberty. “

Music Montage II

It's Saturday night and I feel like a little music. How about you? Let's see what I have up my sleeve...

Have you ever felt you made a mistake that led to some unintended consequences?

How about a story from long ago?

Or a reminder of what is really important?

Sage advice for someone?

Maybe we should have more faith?