Author: Edward Ortiz

Rockin’ Thursday LXXI

A quick commentary before introducing today’s song. So...Yesterday, someone didn’t know that English is the official language of Liberia. After all, the country was founded as part of an American project to relocate African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans from the U.S. to Africa during the American Civil War.1 History matters more than we think. We all … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LXXI →

52 Summers

On AgingWhen you see me sitting quietly,Like a sack left on the shelf,Don’t think I need your chattering.I’m listening to myself.Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me!Hold! Stop your sympathy!Understanding if you got it,Otherwise I’ll do without it!When my bones are stiff and aching,And my feet won’t climb the stair,I will only ask one favor:Don’t bring me … Continue reading 52 Summers →

Rockin’ Thursday LXX

Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day in the U.S., and even though we’re struggling a bit, we must continue to protect our freedoms by getting educated on important issues, assessing what politicians have to offer, and voting accordingly. That is our duty, and we cannot delegate this important task. Staying uninformed, not voting, or voting without … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LXX →

It’s Not Complicated—Unless You Make It: My Thoughts on Male-Female Friendships Part 2

Last week, I mentioned an article titled Can Men and Women Just Be Friends? that I was planning to read, and I gave my answer to the question without having read the article. I said that my perspective is: No, if you see women as objects. But Yes, if you see them as equals. Well, … Continue reading It’s Not Complicated—Unless You Make It: My Thoughts on Male-Female Friendships Part 2 →

Rockin’ Thursday LXIX

Yesterday, I wrote a post about friendship, so I figured that a song about what it means to be a friend would be a nice addition for today’s Rockin’ Thursday. I found several songs about friendship—With a Little Help from My Friends by The Beatles, Lean on Me by Bill Withers, and I’ll Be There for You by The Rembrandts … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LXIX →

It’s Not Complicated—Unless You Make It: My Thoughts on Male-Female Friendships

Can Men and Women Just Be Friends? What a great question, and perfect for a WordPress prompt. It’s the title of an article I haven’t read yet, but I’m going to answer it anyway. Later this week, I’ll read the article and see if my response aligns with its content. I took a quick peek, … Continue reading It’s Not Complicated—Unless You Make It: My Thoughts on Male-Female Friendships →

When Politicians Use Christianity as a Prop

There is a lot going on in the U.S., and now in the Middle East with the conflict there, which seems to be expanding, especially after today’s attacks. Carl Von Clausewitz, a Prussian general and military theorist, said that "war is a continuation of politics by other means.” That is exactly what is happening in … Continue reading When Politicians Use Christianity as a Prop →

Rockin’ Thursday LXVII

Today is Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday's name, first used in the 1890s, is a portmanteau of the words June and nineteenth, referring to June 19, 1865, the day Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LXVII →

What If the Unthinkable Happens at Home?

Managing crises can be a major leadership challenge if we don’t have some kind of plan in place. I spent a large portion of my career planning for contingencies and crises. We wrote plans and exercised them routinely. We planned for things like moving a headquarters to another location on a military installation due to … Continue reading What If the Unthinkable Happens at Home? →

Rockin’ Thursday LXVI – Father’s Day Edition

This Sunday is Father's Day, so today I’m featuring a father-son duo as we prepare to celebrate all those dads out there. I must admit that Father’s Day didn’t mean much to me growing up, since I didn’t have a father, but all that changed when I became one. Oh, what a blessing it is … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LXVI – Father’s Day Edition →