I was in Tarpon Springs, Florida on the morning of 9/11/01 when I got the word. On afternoon of November 22, 1963 I was in Cheektowaga, New York when I got that word. Most Americans know the first reference; all of my generation or older know the second. Perhaps we have come up with some sort of twisted way of commemorating September 11th this year. Today Bob Woodward’s book Fear is being released. Let’s explore. Continue reading The Cumulative Factor
Tag Archives: Cheektowaga New York
Harvey’s (Mostly Unspoken) Legacy
As much as Hurricane Harvey captivated both the attention of the nation and the “media oxygen” last week I expect it to largely fade from “watercooler conversation” and decline in news coverage by the time you read this article. The debt ceiling, avoiding a government shutdown, the repercussions of Trump’s DACA decision and possibly Hurricane Irma will all overshadow Harvey recovery aid. The negative impact on hundreds of thousands of lives is very real and will make for some news clips; however the greatest danger will remain largely uninvestigated by our government and uncovered by our news media. Let’s explore. Continue reading Harvey’s (Mostly Unspoken) Legacy
A Different Bar
A few minutes before 9pm last Tuesday night I settled in front of one of several flat screen color televisions in my new townhouse in Wake Forest, North Carolina to watch President Obama’s farewell address to the nation. My thoughts were on what I consider the benchmark Presidential farewell address which I watch some 56 years earlier as a very young boy in front of my parents’ lone black and white television in their Cheektowaga, New York home. Could Barack Obama get over the extremely high bar set by Dwight Eisenhower? Let’s explore. Continue reading A Different Bar
A Labor Day Thought
Today is Labor Day in the United States and Canada (except in Canada they spell it Labour). Like most progressives I’m pro-union and certainly pro-labor. Part of that I’m certain has to do with where I grew up. I was born in Buffalo, New York and raised in one of its adjacent suburbs, Cheektowaga. Arguably Cheektowaga’s main street is Union Road and my high school alma mater sits on it to this day. Continue reading A Labor Day Thought