Celebrating Flag Day 2020

Flag Day 2020 marks our 56th Wedding Anniversary. Vi and I were married on June 14th 1964, so each Flag Day celebration has special meaning for us.

The serious part of this posting is in three parts: 1) Three current crises, 2) Three patriotic songs, and 3) Three positive hopeful predictions.

But first, before we get to the serious part, let's have a look at:

MY FLAG DAY NEEDLEPOINT




44 years ago, in 1976, I designed and made a needlepoint replica of the then-current United States 13c postage stamp (see the graphic below).

My intent was to honor the American Revolution Bicentennial, marking the 200th year of the American Republic, our great experiment in Representative Democracy.

My replica is true to the postage stamp and the original 13-star flag, except for the arrangement of the stars. Instead of a circle of 13 stars, I substituted 13 stars in a "Star of David" arrangement. This is like the 13 stars in the Great Seal of the United States that you have seen on the back of  the US dollar bill.

On the postage stamp shown above, Independence Hall is depicted in front of the flag, That also has meaning to Vi and me because we drove from Brooklyn to Philadelphia on the day I presented our engagement ring to her.

The MIRACULOUS Return of My "Darwin's Cathedral" Book

Is religion a useful biological "adaptation", as claimed by biologist David Sloan Wilson, author of the 2002 book Darwin's Cathedral - Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society, or is religion a "delusion" and a "mind virus", as claimed by biologist Richard Dawkins, author of the 2006 book The God Delusion ?   Or, as I claim, is religion BOTH a delusion and an adaptation?

This posting is about these two important books, but first, I must tell you the "miraculous" story of how, against all odds, I happened to get my copy of Darwin's Cathedral in the first place, how I stupidly lost that book, and the amazing story of how I got it back.

Why Politically Correct Racism and Sexism is Evil

Presented to an enthusiastic audience at The Villages Philosophy Club on 22 November 2019.

Martin Luther King "I Have a Dream …"

In his famous 1963 speech, Martin Luther King said:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” 

The 1964 Civil Rights Act, passed by a strong bi-partisan majority, 61% of Democrats (152-96) and 80% of Republicans (138-34) states: 

“all persons must be treated equally without regard to their race, color, or national origin.” 

In recent times, these noble American ideals (judge by character not skin color, and without regard  to race, color, or national origin) have been perverted by excessive regard for race, sex, nationality, gender, and other characteristics that have absolutely no bearing on the ability of any person to do any job. (An I have a DNA test that indicates I’m (hashtag) #NativeAmericanToo).

David [Sloan Wilson] and the [Dalai] Lama's Den

David Sloan Wilson, Distinguished Professor of Biology and Anthropology at Binghamton University, State University New York, was one of the most influential professors I met as a grad student going for my PhD in System Science (1996). 

David has an annual “Darwin’s birthday” event at his home that my wife and I attended. He gave me the plastic "Darwin Fish" that occupies an honored place on the bookcase in our master bedroom (see photo - it is like a “Jesus Fish” but with feet and the word “Darwin” on it).

[Updated] DOJ IG Reports vs James Comey's "Higher Loyalty"

[Update 17 December 2019] By a fortunate accident, I was scheduled to speak about this topic at The Villages S.K.I.L.L. Club (CIA Retirees) on 12 December 2019 so I updated the talk I presented on 4 October 2019 at The Villages Philosophy Club with the new material.

[UPDATE: 9 December 2019] The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ IG) has just released a redacted, unclassified version of the third IG Report related to the 2016 FBI Investigation of the Trump Campaign.  CLICK HERE to read the USA Today account of the latest IG Report.

Economic making of an old, white male !

[FROM BILL LIFKA - Lightly edited and published based on Bill's prior blanket approval. Bill is about nine years my senior. I too was trained to appreciate real productive labor, helping my dad with woodworking, plumbing and electrical work. I credit my several summers selling ice cream on the beach in Brooklyn, carrying dry ice coolers on my shoulders and shouting, "Hey! Ice Cream Here! Good Humor Ice Cream and Orange Drink!" with helping me develop a strong speaking voice. My final two summers of college were spent gaining incredibly valuable knowledge working as a technical writer.  Ira Glickstein]

TO MY ADULT GRANDCHILDREN

This is another tale of how I became an old, white male and, therefore, became hated by political leftists. In this story, I recall how business experiences, starting at age 9, shaped my adult economic views. It’s likely that other old, white men had similar experiences.  !

Political making of an old, white male !

[FROM BILL LIFKA - Lightly edited and published based on Bill's prior blanket approval. Bill is about nine years my senior. I too was born into a family that voted solid Democrat. FDR's photo hung with honor in my grandparent's kitchen. My Dad (but not my Mom) voted for Eisenhower, probably the first in my childhood family to make the switch. Ira Glickstein]

To my (adult) grandchildren:                                                        

Political making of an old, white male ! I’ll preface my forthcoming letters on the 2020 election with a few tales of how I became an old, white male, an identity hated by Democrats. Ironically, once I was young and a Democrat.