Perceptions and Passages of a Lifelong Participant by Stephen G. Harding
"... I defined our national problem as a culture of contempt. What exactly is contempt? Social scientists define contempt as anger mixed with disgust. These two emotions form a toxic combination, like ammonia mixed with bleach. In the words of the nineteenth-century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, contempt is “the unsullied conviction of the worthlessness of another.”... Continue Reading →
Having lost our Max back in February, We are now spending our last morning with our little buddy Nemo. His health issues have finally caught up with him. Being diabetic and blind for the last couple of years have caused other issues. Max made it to 15 while Nemo has just passed 14. They were... Continue Reading →
Published in 1972, this little book left an indelible imprint on knowing the relationship between the academy, bureacracy, the government, and the governed. My old copy was dogeared and falling apart so I went on-line to see if there was anyway I could find a copy of this long out of print 88 page pamphlet.... Continue Reading →
"Is this America's Vichy Moment? Richard J. Golsan argues the demise of French democracy in 1940 holds important lessons for Americans grappling with the realities of life under Donald Trump. "For the historian of modern France and Vichy and World War II in particular, the situation in theUnited States today calls to mind a number... Continue Reading →
The Real Measurement of Success Means Achieving "That Balance" Thanks Al. Thanks for the nudge. We needed it. I needed it. A gentle reminder that it isn’t all about work. Schedules and deadlines be damned, I'm not returning that call till tomorrow. I'm going home to have dinner with the wife and kids. Albeit with mixed success,... Continue Reading →
"Now the trumpet summons us again--not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need--not as a call to battle, though embattled we are-- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man:... Continue Reading →
Given that I am on civic (political) overload, I've had to reorganize my thoughts by going back to some of my old undergraduate texts. Steeped in political theory, these are just a few of my primary sources on governance and mankind. As dated as they are, they still provide a foundational understanding for what ails... Continue Reading →
Commencement 2025 Impressive graduates, proud family and friends, distinguished faculty, great administrative staff, and one old guy!
Remarks From a Distingushed Alum As a member of the third graduating class, I had the distinct honor and pleasure to be selected as this year's Distinguished Alum of the Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration at Long Beach State. But the greater pleasure was serving as this years commencement speaker. What an impressive... Continue Reading →
From vocation to avocation, government to the classroom, I can relate on many levels. I certainly wasn't walking the same hallowed halls in the District but my time was spent arguebly at a much more effective level. As the infamous "They" say: "All politics is local." I never had 800 students in a single lecture... Continue Reading →