Popular Culture

June 8, 2013

Rebellion At A High School Graduation

Roy Costner IV

Roy Costner IV

June 1, 2013

The Destruction of the Boy Scouts of America

Boy ScoutsOn May 23, 2013, the 1,400-member National Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) voted in favor of a resolution to add the following language to the requirements for being a Boy Scout:  “No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”  The resolution passed by a wide margin, with 61.5 percent voting in favor of the change and 38.5 percent voting in opposition.  The new requirement will be binding on all councils and units when it goes into effect January 1, 2014.

May 30, 2013

School Is Never Out

Cavett Robert (1907-1997), a lawyer and founder of the National Speakers Association, used to say, “School is never out for the professional.”  During the time he was on the national speaking circuit, Cavett sold courses that consisted of workbooks and cassette tapes for people to take home to listen to and study on their own.  He and other well-known speakers emphasized the importance of “spaced repetition,” a learning system that encouraged a person to listen to each cassette a minimum of seven times so the material that was covered would become imbedded in the subconscious mind of the listener.

May 18, 2013

A Lesson from Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3Last weekend, I saw Iron Man 3 with Georgette and two of our daughters.  Iron Man 3 is the seventh installment of the Marvel Comic Universe of movies that includes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Avengers.  The lead character in the Iron Man series is Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), a self-described genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist.

April 13, 2013

The Linguistics of Suicide

Suicide-WarrenOn Friday, April 5, Michael Warren, the 27-year-old son of Rick Warren, a well-known evangelical Christian pastor and author, committed suicide.  You may have heard of Rick Warren.  He’s the author of the best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, which has been purchased by more than 30 million people worldwide.

April 6, 2013

Does It Take Money to Make Money?

Takes Money To Make MoneyYou may have heard of Shark Tank, the television series that premiered on ABC in August, 2009.  The show features business owners who make presentations to five potential investors, who are referred to as “sharks.”  Each of the sharks is an experienced entrepreneur who became wealthy by inventing products or by successfully starting and growing one or more businesses.  Shark Tank is now in its fourth season, and is the most watched television program among 18 to 49-year-olds on Friday nights.

March 7, 2013

Bearing Fruit for the Kingdom of God

A couple of weeks ago Americans were treated to the Oscars (also known as the Academy Awards), the annual ceremony where awards are given to actors, directors, and other individuals who have important roles in the making of movies.  As usual, there was an area where the actors and actresses posed for pictures before walking into the auditorium where the ceremony took place.

February 16, 2013

Did Pope Benedict Make the Right Decision?

The same day Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation, lightning struck St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

The same day Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation, lightning struck St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

January 5, 2013

Is Life A Wrestling Match?

Verne Gagne - Wrestling Champion

Verne Gagne – Wrestling Champion