Author Archives: dunnwriteswell

Funeral Amnesia and Missing Conversations

I walked into the hospital room a couple of steps behind my dad who swung back the curtain that’s supposed to provide a modicum of privacy. There lay a yellow man shaking and moaning. Tubes jammed up his nose and smaller intravenous lines running along what used to be strong arms. Eyes mostly closed butContinue reading “Funeral Amnesia and Missing Conversations”

Retirement: Digital Reflections While Getting My Affairs In Order

Since I retired this month, I have spent at least an hour or two every day reviewing financial papers and other seemingly important household files and documents while I scan, save and shred them. Its a laborious but necessary task getting my affairs in order. For the record, as far as I know, I’m inContinue reading “Retirement: Digital Reflections While Getting My Affairs In Order”

History Repeats Itself: Internationally, Domestically and Ancestrally

While contemplating international relations and domestic relations and ancestrial relations, I observed a pattern of history repeating itself highlighted as follows: Internationally The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. International relations shows characteristics of insanity Domestically So what might we learn from the maddening cycleContinue reading “History Repeats Itself: Internationally, Domestically and Ancestrally”

Technology, Logic, Info/Evidence Based Society Rather Than Politics/Emotions Driven

Some years ago my sons suggested that government and society should be driven by science, technology and fact-based decision making. They are physics and computer science majors coming from the world of STEM (science, tech, engineneerig, math). As a political science major and history buff, I chaffed at this sterile notion of deciding everything freeContinue reading “Technology, Logic, Info/Evidence Based Society Rather Than Politics/Emotions Driven”

Replace Mascots with Lower Tuition

With football season wrapping up, basketball season underway, and mascots dancing/prancing on sidelines and college tuitions keep going up. It got me to proposing that we ditch mascot hoopla and ditch tuition increases. I got nothing specific against mascots, it’s more about what they represent: It will take time for this sea change to takeContinue reading “Replace Mascots with Lower Tuition”

Time for a 3-way political intersection to unclog the traffic jam

So who are the players in this intersection and what’s in it for each of them? Fiscal Conservatives: Want limited spending. Emphasize ROI (return on investments). Focus upon practicality Liberals & Progressives: Want a robust social safety net. Want government to lead the charge in public policies. Focus upon promise and potential. Libertarians: Want limitedContinue reading “Time for a 3-way political intersection to unclog the traffic jam”

Live Free Or Die….Evolve or Die

We’re all familiar with the New Hampshire motto, very straightforward. With my kids now living/working in the unaffordable greater Boston area, we’ve been looking at southern NH for housing opportunnities….if such opportunities exist. We’re open to any suggestions or leads among readers. As for the NH motto, we suggest expanding it to EVOLVE OR DIEContinue reading “Live Free Or Die….Evolve or Die”

Odd but necessary bedfellows: Economic Engines & Neighborhood Empowerment

Definitions are in order: What’s an ecomomic engine? What’s Neighborhood Empowerment? So who are the “odd bedfellows” and how might there be a copasetic relationship? So that’s my suggestion after 30+ years working in the community development, economic development, community organizing, and afforable housing fields seeing what works and what does not. As always, letContinue reading “Odd but necessary bedfellows: Economic Engines & Neighborhood Empowerment”