Public Articles

Most recent articles

Have Professional Sports Become Too Big an Influence in Our Society?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Gastonia, NC Correspondent-It seems that we are forever debating whether this thing or that thing has “too much influence” on our lives or the lives of our children. This is a passive-aggressive way of life that leaves us limp noodles, ready to be blown whatever way pop culture and prevailing wisdom blows us.

Here’s a nifty idea: Evaluate the influences on your life. If there is one you don’t like, then GET RID OF IT. Yes, it’s possible! If someone you know or something you read or some other thing is a drag on your psyche, make it gone posthaste. You’ll be healthier for it. Continue reading →

Statistics released from the Labor Department report that over 94 million Americans are either out of work or underemployed. How can this crisis be solved and out-of-work Americans returned to the job force?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Owatonna, MN Correspondent-In the long run, the unemployment/underemployment crisis will resolve itself because Baby Boomers, the largest demographic group in the country, are retiring at an increasing rate. Their positions will be filled by younger workers as all generations after the Boomers move up a notch in the workforce.

The real crisis is in the short term—the next five years or so. Training is the big issue. New jobs are being created due to new technology, but schools can’t possibly be at the forefront of training because they are slow-moving dinosaurs with regard to responding to what employers and the marketplace want and need for job skills. Continue reading →

Should Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, Fed-Ex/UPS or another large US-based company acquire the United States Postal Service?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Gastonia, NC Correspondent-Efficiency experts, business mavens, delivery brain trusts and thousands of others have for years been kicking around the idea of privatizing the United States Postal Service (USPS). Proponents point to things like charter schools, which in some instances have far outstripped the performance of their traditional public school counterparts. Continue reading →

A recent Time magazine article indicated a growing number of people using satirical websites, blogs, etc. as their news source. What, if anything, is wrong with this? How should this be addressed?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Gastonia, NC Correspondent-An article in last week’s Time magazine examining the way that the fringe elements of both parties get their fake news, conspiracy theories and outright parody thinly disguised as news was a sobering read.

Continue reading →

Many countries in the Middle East are in political turmoil and even civil war since the Arab Spring revolution that began in 2010. Was the Arab Spring a big political mistake?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-The Arab Spring was a major political mistake because of its ripple effect on the many countries in the region and the reluctance of America and its allies to thwart the resulting disasters. The inability of the Obama administration to respond in the appropriate manner to the Arab Spring uprising was a huge challenge that was not dealt with appropriately. The ramifications of those continued uprisings, protests and terrorist activities will be passed on to President-elect Donald Trump to sort out and some day resolve.   Continue reading →

A number of protests across the country in the wake of recent elections have impacted communities and interstate commerce. At what point do your rights to peaceful protest end and enforcement of anti-rioting laws come in effect? Should peaceful protest be allowed to disrupt use of public roads and thereby impede commerce?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Owatonna, MN Correspondent-Peace is the absence of conflict. Not necessarily the absence of violent conflict, just conflict in general. If someone attempting to operate their business by selling goods from a storefront or transporting those goods to consumers via public roads is prevented from doing so by protestors blocking sidewalks or roads, then a conflict exists. Public safety issues also come into play if roadways are blocked or if too many people attempt to occupy a too small space.

Continue reading →

Do police body cameras help or hurt law enforcement efforts?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Owatonna, MN Correspondent– Proponents of transparency in government rightly cheer the widening use of police body cameras to document police interactions with citizens. Anything that encourages open and honest government is a positive development. Unfortunately, it seems that law enforcement officials are uncomfortable with complete honesty. Many resist this new tool for community policing by throwing up roadblocks and restrictions such as withholding controversial video from the public if they feel the video might incite protests or worse by disgruntled citizens. Continue reading →

Anti-bullying legislation has been passed in a number or states and has been instituted in schools to prevent bullying of students. Should these laws be extended outside of school premises and provide protection from bullying through the internet and social media?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-Protection from bullying should not only be instituted in schools but it should extend beyond school grounds as well as into internet and social media occurrences (cyberbullying). Far too many young people and others have been repeatedly bullied in and outside of school and through the internet, which has caused family tragedies and other repercussions. Many students have committed suicide to escape the taunts of bullies.    Continue reading →

Can Industrial Development and Preservation of Scenic and Historic National Parks and Monuments Successfully Co-Exist Side by Side?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Sheffield, Jamaica Correspondent-It is true; mankind’s efforts have vastly outweighed their expectations.  Who would have thought that I’d be typing this worded message on a small tablet that can be taken with me anywhere in the world?  Mankind has greatly developed throughout the years but to the detriment of what?  I’m sure you can name a few.  To expand and enhance industrial developments, we have to abandon a very integral part of our society. Continue reading →

The California National Guard offered bonuses to soldiers for signing 3- to 6-year enlistments from 2006 to 2010. The Guard recently sent letters to the soldiers asking them to pay back the bonuses. Should these soldiers be required to return the bonuses?

~ thinkingoutsidetheboxe ~ Leave a comment

Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-No soldier who has defended the country and has re-enlisted because of specifically needed skill sets should be required to return bonuses.  Also, any soldier willing to re-enlist to serve the country in time of need (combat tours) should not be made to return re-enlistment bonuses. Continue reading →