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FARMING DISASTER DONE ON PURPOSE

So much of the awful results of the farming disaster in the old Soviet Union came from bad policy decisions.
In the early 1930’s their main guy Stalin decided he knew more about science and farming than anyone.
He also had advisers explaining it to him in a way he agreed with.
Who doesn’t love the unconditional, “You are right, comrade.”
There was no room for disagreement.

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FOLLOW THE LEADER? NOT SO FAST

‘Follow the leader,’ they say.
‘It’ll be a fun learning experience.’
If that’s a green light for you, take another look.
Maybe ask a question like, ‘Where are we going?’
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RESPECT PEOPLE WHO TRUST YOU, OR . . .

This is the shocking end to a man trusted to respect people in his country.
It was all good until it wasn’t.
Is there a lesson to learn?
The people he governed had had enough and voted him out?
Nooooo.
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AUDIENCE RECOGNITION: KNOW THE ROOM

Albert Einstein had audience recognition with his letter in 1939.
His audience?
Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States.
He knew the room.
It was one person.

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BETTER LISTENING SKILLS FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING

If practicing better listening skills isn’t a life goal, it should be.
How hard is it to pay attention?
You did it in the classroom with the encouragement of a teacher.
I still remember Mr. Kraus singing ‘Toot toot tootsie goodbye’ when he tossed little tootsie rolls to students with the right answer in algebra.
Maybe we need more of that? Instead we get more of this:

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toughen up

THERAPEUTIC SWEARING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA, CANCER

      Swearing, done in the right spirit, communicates so much more than long, drawn out, explanations. Besides, how often do you need the long version? I’ve investigated both swearing and medical marijuana and come to a few helpful conclusions for cancer patients. Instead of getting all macho and shocker, I’ve amended my profanity […]

Wellness Luxury: Feeling Good For Doing Good Again

To do good you don’t have to feel good. If you do it’s a wellness luxury, an expression I just made up. Google wellness luxury. This isn’t that sort of post.   Take mental health for example. Nothing makes any difference to you? No one cares about you? Feeling earful about the future? Feeling sad […]

CANCER TREATMENT NEEDS THE ROCKY TALK FROM DR. BALBOA

When you need a pep talk who do you listen too? I go to Rocky Balboa for the good stuff. When he started out with, “Let me tell you something you already know,” he had me hooked. It’s like the doctor telling me I’ve got HPV16 tongue cancer. He had my attention. He told me […]

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boomer years

IF MILLENNIALS SUCK, WHO ELSE SUCKS

A recent poll questions whether millennials suck as bad as everyone else. Too many times you hear about the new ‘biggest ever’ generation in negative terms. You’d think millennials suck worse than any other generation. Baby boomers enjoy dragging the youngsters around by their arm and reminding them they suck. Millennials seem to enjoy the […]

When The Lights Go Down In The City

The Neon Gets Better. On a cold, dark, night, a city asks for caution. Even the familiar takes on an extra foreboding. With others, or walking alone, the sound of footsteps behind you quickens your pace. Empty shadows carry secrets you don’t want to know. Some streets are just not very inviting. Even in the […]

PARADE MAGAZINE FOR BOOMERS?

Sunday’s issue of Parade Magazine is full of gift ideas. Boomers, just look at ads instead. You open the Sunday Oregonian, or the big newspaper in your city, and the cover features ‘the hottest stuff to give and get.’ How hot? Scarves, socks, hats that will keep you warm in the chilly winter. But those […]

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buckle up

DEVILS PUNCH BOWL HAM HOCK STIRS IN OREGON FLAVOR

From the top of Otter Crest Loop looking south to Devils Punch Bowl Newport lies further south, Depoe Bay a little north. Oregon tourists need to feel a part of the big show to get the most out of their trip. Climb a mountain. Run a Hood To Coast. Stand in the Devils Punch Bowl […]

MEXICO TRAVEL: PUERTO VALLARTA PERFECTION, pt2

    First thing you’ll need is a new hat. Pick one, maybe two.   Once you get into the swing of things you can adjust.   Not a hat person? You are now.

SOUTHERN HISTORY THE RIGHT WAY

A New Southern History Flag For The South? History is like a cat. Once it’s out of the bag, it won’t back. Andrew Jackson won’t fit under anyone’s hat and if he did you’d probably have a lot less hair. The uproar over the Confederate battle flag throws the South for a loop, but not […]

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