The Big 4: American Celebrations of the Declaration’s Birthday–Lessons for 2026

On December 12, 2023, I delivered the keynote speech at a special event kicking off the "Journey To The American Founding" initiative in Indiana. It's a partnership initiative between The Remnant Trust and Sagamore Institute to help guide the recognition and honoring of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. I invite you to watch and listen to my speech. Feel free to … [Read more...]

Eight Words On The Seventh Day

Eight Words On The Seventh Day (2023) On the 7th day of December 1941, Japanese military forces unleashed an attack on American military forces stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaiian Territory of the United States. Also on the 7th day of December 1941, after news of the bombing had arrived on mainland America, the US Army Chief of Staff, General George Marshall, walked toward his office at the … [Read more...]

A Letter One Month Ahead

A Letter One Month Ahead   Right off the top, I'll give you a heads-up. This is a post leaning toward the spiritual, the metaphysical, the cosmic. Kind of. This is not a post to exclude. My intent is to pose a question that takes you into your own thoughts. For some of you that means into your mind, for some into your soul, for some into both. I do respect the choice to go … [Read more...]

The 10-POTUS Checklist–Your Tool For The 2024 Presidential Election

THE 10-POTUS CHECKLIST--YOUR TOOL FOR THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Last time I did a list like this I entitled it the "9 POTUS Checklist." That's because nine American presidents, as of 2016-2019, had won a first term, won re-nomination as president, and lost the general presidential election for a consecutive second term. The 2020 election added one to the list but changed my findings not … [Read more...]

Thoughts On The Israeli-Hamas War From Colonial America

Thoughts on the Israeli-Hamas War From Colonial America As Americans, our best lens for looking at the current and future Israeli-Hamas War likely is not 9-11 or Pearl Harbor. They've come to people's minds but I don't think they tell us much. I suggest something a little more unusual. Let's take a moment and gather a few points from the period of the American past usually known as "colonial … [Read more...]

The Israeli-Hamas War–A First Thought From A Historical Perspective

The Israeli-Hamas War--A First Thought From A Historical Perspective Here's my five-minute video on something to watch for this year and next. https://youtu.be/iDk38rhz5Ms … [Read more...]

Back To Birth For Re-Birth

Back To Birth For Re-Birth (one of the birthplaces, in Michigan, summer 1854) Quick thoughts on what the past offers to the present state of disarray in the Republican Party. 1. Go back to the birth of the Republican Party in the mid-1850s for some surprising lessons for 2023 and beyond. Re-birth will look a lot like birth. 2. Substance and direction came from the outside-in and the … [Read more...]

The Time After 9-11

After the tragic event, life continues. The River rolls on. And yet, in the current and in the water, are elements of what just happened back at a spot in the River. How long will they stay? How far into the future, Down River, will they be seen? * * * * * * * It is almost 7:30pm, an early evening of late summer, September 11, 2001. On a rugged hillside outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania the … [Read more...]

A Phrase Returns

In last week’s Talkshop (Rapids From The River: You, The 2024 Election, And 5 Moments In The American River), I explained to the participants my River construct. In that explanation we explored the idea of repetition across time. This involved my view of Rhyming—that rapids on the river recur, shallows on the river recur, bends on the river recur, everything on the river recurs. The key reality … [Read more...]

Rapids From The River: FIVE Moments From The American Experience For Your Leadership And The 2024 Election

The public mental condition surrounding the 2024 election will be strained, pained, and woundful. If you are a leader, you will be leading in these elements. Take note—you must prepare yourself in advance. Take heart as well. There are significant moments in the American past and history that can embolden your leadership and its resilience, endurance, and steadfastness. To assist you, I have … [Read more...]