Archive for the ‘Cultures’ Category

The National Character

Monday, July 6th, 2009

While researching the "Lessons From Saddam" post, I came across The National Security Archive of George Washington University. The National Security Archive is a repository of information and documents, many obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. In short, it's a collection of things some people in the U.S. Government wished ...

Lessons From Saddam

Monday, July 6th, 2009

This post is available as a PDF document here: http://www.hackneys.com/docs/lessonsfromsaddam.pdf  ******* For the 23 people in the United States who have not been wholly consumed by the All Michael, All The Time media onslaught, it’s been an interesting week. For instance, California, the world’s 8th largest economy, went officially, publicly broke and started ...

The Secret to Understanding Women

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

My wife claims there is something very important regarding understanding women in this comic strip, but I just don't get it... Click the strip to view the full size version.

Here’s How a Wife Can Get Rid of Her Husband

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

One of the great things about hanging out in mom's kitchen are the things that just pop up. For instance, while searching for a recipe she pulled out this vintage cookbook, which is such a staple of my lifetime, I almost didn't appreciate it for the 1950 first edition treasure that it ...

Harkin vs. Loring

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

We’re visiting my mother and grandmother in northwest Arkansas. They are at an age and in a place where politics are discussed, religion is assumed and passion is reserved for the important things, such as the best variety of peach and the premiere source for the crème de la crème of watermelons. For ...

Band Jocks

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

This year we're participating in an American summer tradition: The Drive Across The Country. Our route this year takes us from San Diego, California to Austin, Texas. Via Minneapolis. Illogical and inefficient--true,  but it gives us the chance to see the kids and granddaughter, family, some friends and a fair bit of the ...

A Milestone. Or Not.

Friday, June 5th, 2009

After 9/11, and especially after visiting ground zero, I had some strong personal reactions. I wrote some magazine columns and also wrote quite a bit about the issues and challenges surrounding the event in non-commercial venues. In addition to doing what I could within my sphere of influence and expertise, I also ...

Social Friction

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

What’s wrong with this picture? The following news story is about a community seeking to redress its loss of civility. While admirable, this, in and of itself, is not newsworthy in today’s largely brusque and inconsiderate American society. What makes it newsworthy and significant, what makes it a milestone in the downward ...

Fishing Lessons

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

A friend of ours is starting a new business. I recently spent a morning with the local fishermen, who had some things to teach those seeking business success. Click here for the rest of the story: http://www.hackneys.com/travel/ecuador/fishinglessons.pdf .  

What You Know – True or False

Saturday, January 10th, 2009

Is what you know true? Is what you believe to be true actually, in fact true? Click here to find out some of the answer: www.hackneys.com/docs/trueorfalse.pdf .