Absolom Bracer

The Marble Man – A Trusted Leader

The flood tide of a Borg-like “cancel culture of the woke” deprives us of great, though flawed, role models for future leaders. Rather than growing in wisdom, choosing wisely, we remain adolescents seeking utopian activists or dangerous demagogues.

Acte – A Strong Woman in the Court of Nero

Evil is a roaring lion stalking the land. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. It is to our eternal shame as men that sometimes a woman must show us the way.

War, What Is It Good For?

Edwin Starr asked the question in a Sixties protest song and our emotions agree with his shouted response – “Absolutely nothing!” But our emotions, as always, blind us to the obvious.

Ukrainian Realities

There is something about underdogs and bullies that explains Realpolitik, the international balance of power, to a nation whose priorities are determined by Influencers, a recently coined job title for teenagers adept at creating TikTok videos.

The Great Flood

Something happened in the Black Sea 7,500 years ago. It’s all about climate change, real climate change. It could be the flood of Noah as told in Genesis. Is anybody interested?

Prelude to an Ending

It was 150 years ago that George Custer and the 7th Cavalry died on Last Stand Hill. They were to converge with two other columns. Where were they?

California’s Burning – PG&E, Gill Ranch and Me

My heart goes out to the good men and women of PG&E delivering service to their customers. Like their customers, they have been betrayed. Some thoughts on their Generals.