By: Michael W. Lodato Where I’m coming from: I’ve been skeptical about economics and economists for a long time. I come from a discipline, theoretical mathematics, where there is absolutely no ambiguity. In fact most of the reading is of symbols – each having very precise definitions. In economics there seem to be all kinds of conflicting theories with names like • Keynesian economics, that … [Read more...]
What a Mess
I’m bewildered by how bad things are in the world, the country, universities, everywhere. I easily identify with the Belgian farmer, during the 30 Years War, tilling his few acres, while titanic forces caused destruction around him, and feeling that in some way it would effect his life. … [Read more...]
Perhaps my best round of golf ever
Perhaps My Best Round of Golf Ever I’ve been playing golf for over 75 years. About every decade or so I would shoot a really good score. I’ve had several 78s and 3 holes-in-one. The other day was one for the books. Just 18 days until my 85th birthday and I shot a 74. It was a brisk cool day and there was little wind. Over the first 12 holes I had one birdie, 9 pars and 2 bogies. On the … [Read more...]
Supreme Court Think Piece
Think Piece on the Supreme Court In my opinion there is a lot wrong with way the three branches of our government are functioning. The executive branch has been occupied by incompetent presidents for too long – at least one of whom had absolutely no management experience before assuming the presidency. All recent presidents have usurped too much power and have battled the other two branches … [Read more...]
Aggressive Stupidity
Aggressive Stupidity I haven’t been a supporter of the “Grand Old Party” for at least 5 years and I didn’t vote for the current President. Nor am I a Democrat. But I’m worried that Democrats are behaving so irrationally that they will become even more irrelevant and we will have, essentially, a one party system. The Democrats’ politics of obstruction, division and anger is going to be very … [Read more...]
Life’s Truths
Over almost 85 years, I've formulated the following Truths that I recommend others think about: Truth #1: Nobody knows what they are talking about. Truth #2: Almost all Hollywood stuff is trash. Truth #3: If you don’t believe Truth #2, you are guilty of Truth #1. As proof, read the LA Times. … [Read more...]
Relationships in a Nutshell
_ If you want to have friends, you must be a friend. _ If you want people to be loyal to you, you must be loyal. _ If you want to be interesting, you must be interested. … [Read more...]
Maybe There’s Hope in the Middle
January 19, 2017 Tomorrow is the inaugural of a new President – conducted in a sea of anger and ignorance. Too bad. In our local paper, yesterday, was a letter to the editor that was relevant, brilliant and worth sharing as a Michael’s Think Piece. The author is a former deputy who had won a medal for valor, but criticized by a colleague for being stupid by risking his life. So he asks … [Read more...]
Trigonometry Averts Loss of Airplane
On a dark and stormy night in late December 1955 I was on duty at a US air defense radar base in north-eastern Italy near the town of Campoformido. Just north of us were the Dolomite Mountains, also known as the Italian Alps. The cloud cover (ceiling) was at best 200 feet. With the technology of the day, this was not the kind of night you wanted to be flying. Suddenly, we got a call from a USAF … [Read more...]
Michael’s 2016 Christmas Message
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016 Just a few thoughts at the close of 2016. Some big changes in the world and here at home. First, the election campaign. We did the best we could to avoid any information about what was going on. We avoided TV news, newspaper coverage and discussions with others and we didn’t watch election night coverage. We didn’t support either candidate and so had … [Read more...]