Author: Edward Ortiz

This Isn’t About Standards. It’s About Suppressing Women in the Military

Today, I want to share some thoughts about what we keep hearing in the media—that we need to raise the standards in the military and revive lethality and the Warrior Ethos. By the way, for those who may not know, here is the U.S. Army Warrior Ethos:1 I will always place the mission first. I … Continue reading This Isn’t About Standards. It’s About Suppressing Women in the Military →

From Army Plans to Dinner Plans: Discovering Robin & Willow

I’ve been blogging for over a year and a half now, writing about social issues, politics, philosophy, book reviews, music, and publishing poems from my grandfather-in-law—even including a couple of my own poems. But after reviewing all my posts, I realized I’ve never blogged about food or recipes per se, so I figured today’s the … Continue reading From Army Plans to Dinner Plans: Discovering Robin & Willow →

On Learning and The Information Environment

While reading Letters from a Stoic by Seneca, specifically the chapter on learning wisdom in old age, I came across the following passage: “You should keep learning as long as you are ignorant—even to the end of your life, if there is anything in the proverb. And the proverb suits the present case as well … Continue reading On Learning and The Information Environment →

Rockin’ Thursday LVII

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Here’s how the World Health Organization defines child abuse and maltreatment: "Child maltreatment is the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence, and commercial or other exploitation, which results in … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LVII →

Chasing Immortality: A Philosophical and Political Reflection

"While you live, while you may, become good.” – Marcus Aurelius It seems that the subject of immortality has entered my world over the past couple of months. First, I watched a Netflix documentary, Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, which narrates the bizarre experiment that Bryan Johnson, a tech millionaire, is … Continue reading Chasing Immortality: A Philosophical and Political Reflection →

Rockin’ Thursday LVI and the Sunshine Blogger Award

Today, I’m doing something different. Along with today’s Rockin’ Thursday music video, I’m also responding to Kimberly Vargas Agnese, who nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Thank you so much, Kimberly! She is a great blogger and you can visit her blog at Buckets on a Barefoot Beach. For today’s Rockin’ Thursday, I’m featuring "Every Breath … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LVI and the Sunshine Blogger Award →

The Inept Hummingbird

Today, I’m sharing another poem by my grandfather-in-law, Pedro Rodríguez Miranda. The poem, The Inept Hummingbird, comes from the Love Poems in Old Age section of his book. I hope you enjoy the poem. El Inepto PicaflorLlenándose de valor,Creyendo ser gavilán,Un imberbe picaflorde mi pradera riqueña,quiso un dia conquistarun corazón de mujerque le enseñaría a besar,que le enseñaría … Continue reading The Inept Hummingbird →

Bird Migration through the Quad Cities

“Even migrating birds know that nature doesn't demand a choice between nesting and flight."― Gloria Steinem Nature is just amazing, and last Thursday, it was on full display. According to the BirdCast dashboard, 170,900 birds crossed our area (Quad Cities Illinois/Iowa) that day out of an estimated 1,207,900 birds in flight.1 To our surprise, while we … Continue reading Bird Migration through the Quad Cities →