Articles written by Rick Fontes

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About me - Rick Fontes

A photographer by trade, specializing in child portraiture. A curmudgeon by inclination and, I suppose, a frustrated philosopher of sorts.

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Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Importance of appearance in society: 1 of 17
Open any self-help book and somewhere inside you will find this truism: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. No one can argue that each of us, entering into a new or unfamiliar situation, will be judged first on our appearance before any other factors can be entertained. Many lament that this is unfair bu... More..
Politics, News & Issues > International Politics (Other) The decline of the US as a world power: 4 of 47
Walt Kelly, the late, great creator of Pogo Possum said it best, "we have met the enemy and he is us." This nation first saw light as a grand and noble experiment in self-government. A bastion of freedom where each person enjoyed the blessings of equality and everyone could rise as far as his or her individual talent would al... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Justice System Commentary: Joe Horn and Issues of justice and vigilantism in the US: 1 of 11
The State of Texas gives its citizens the right to use deadly force to protect property. Joe Horn, a resident of Pasadena, Texas, recently exercised that right when he shot and killed two men he observed breaking into a neighbor's house. A few days later an off duty deputy constable shot and killed a man who attempted to rob ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Homeland Security Do modern governments control through fear?: 1 of 8
Fear sells. It is among the best known motivational tools. Given the opportunity people will always act in a way that isolates them or protects them from that which they fear and this fact has never escaped the notice of those in power as they seek to exercise control over their subjects. The activities of the current America... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Immigration Views on illegal immigration in the US: 27 of 212
If your neighbor's yard is overgrown with tall grass and weeds and that neighbor is both able bodied and owns a lawn mower, you have to conclude that his lawn is uncut because for some reason he doesn't want to cut it. This is analogous to the illegal immigration problem in America. With all the resources available to the Fed... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Vietnam War: What Have We Learned?: 2 of 15
The United States has actually won the war in Vietnam. The stated reason for fighting in Vietnam was to stop the advance of communism in Southeast Asia. According to the domino theory, if we didn't fight the good fight then and there, all of the region would fall to the communist ideology. If that were truly the reason we wer... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Family Law Making the case for polygamy: 1 of 7
Once again all eyes are on Texas as the events surrounding the raid on the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints compound play out in the courts and the media. Reactions from across the country are those of indignation and moral outrage as reports of those cult member's lifestyles become public knowledge. Central to the story are ... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Materialism: 5 of 31
A significant portion of the population of our planet is in deep distress. As the world wide economic situation steadily worsens we, in the USA, are looking for yet another knight errant to ride from over the horizon and pull our collective fat from the fire. The news flash from this quarter is, "Stop looking. It isn't going ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 Does Obama meet citizenship requirements to become president?: 1 of 6
President-elect Barrack Obama promised change. Who could have suspected that his "change" would involve dismantling the Constitution of the United States?Article two, Section one, of the constitution sets forth the qualifications for an individual to serve as president of these United States and there are serious, unanswered ... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Religious Speculations & Criticisms Does everything happen for a reason?: 5 of 26
Does everything happen for a reason? Does God control man or does man control God? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? What possible difference can it make? Unless you believe that the personified Supreme Ruler of the universe is personally guiding you past the speed trap on highway 105 so that you can shave ten minutes... More..