Author: Edward Ortiz

Book Review: Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here

The book Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here by Jonathan Blitzer is a well-written work that feels more like a history book rather than a work on social science or government policy. It describes in detail the horrendous situations forcing the people of Central America to leave their countries and embark on the difficult journey … Continue reading Book Review: Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here →

The Questions We Don’t Ask — And Why They Matter, Part 7

To answer today’s question, I need to go back to 12 October 2022, the day I sat down with a doctor for my final medical exam before retirement. Until that point, I thought I was indestructible. Sure, there was always a pain here or there, but like we say in the Army, we just need … Continue reading The Questions We Don’t Ask — And Why They Matter, Part 7 →

The Questions We Don’t Ask – And Why They Matter, Part 6

In her book Quiet, Susan Cain wrote the following in the introduction: “Extroverts are the people who will add life to your dinner party and laugh generously at your jokes. They tend to be assertive, dominant, and in great need of company. Extroverts think out loud and on their feet; they prefer talking to listening, … Continue reading The Questions We Don’t Ask – And Why They Matter, Part 6 →

Printers Row Lit Fest 2025

As I was reviewing today’s post, I realized that today marks my 2nd year of blogging. I can’t believe it’s already been two years. I guess my trip to the Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday turned out to be my 2nd Blogniversary celebration. I didn’t plan it that way, but it … Continue reading Printers Row Lit Fest 2025 →

The Questions We Don’t Ask – And Why They Matter, Part 5

When Dr. Stein suggested the following question: Do you travel much? Why? Why not? I don’t think he was looking for a quick answer like, “Yes, I travel a lot because I love to visit new places,” or “No, I don’t travel much because I’m afraid of airplanes and I don’t have money.” Those are … Continue reading The Questions We Don’t Ask – And Why They Matter, Part 5 →

The Questions We Don’t Ask – And Why They Matter, Part 4

This week’s question was difficult to answer because I don’t think there’s an easy response: How do you determine what is right and good in a moral sense? To what degree do you depend on sacred texts or clerics? The question is a heavy one, and I know most people will say they base their … Continue reading The Questions We Don’t Ask – And Why They Matter, Part 4 →

The Questions We Don’t Ask – And Why They Matter, Part 3

In my ongoing series about The Questions We Don’t Ask – And Why They Matter, I decided to answer this question: If you conclude that the afterlife you believe in isn’t real, how would you alter the way you live? I have to admit this particular question caused me some trouble because of my Christian … Continue reading The Questions We Don’t Ask – And Why They Matter, Part 3 →

Rewriting the Past: The Threat of Historical Denial

Why people want to refute historical events that have been validated by eyewitness accounts and studied deeply by reputable historians and scholars is beyond comprehension. It is either an attempt to seriously influence people in order to do something nefarious, or just to create controversy to get more clicks on their websites and generate income. … Continue reading Rewriting the Past: The Threat of Historical Denial →