Articles written by James E. Fish

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About me - James E. Fish

I am a retired TV Photojournalist with 25 years experience starting in the early 60's until the late 80's. I left television when it changed from Edward R. Murrow's "Harvest of Shame" to Martha Stewart's "Harvest of Fame." After television I became a Poker

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Personal Finance > Health Insurance Should businesses be required to pay for health care insurance?: 3 of 27
Business can survive only as long as they make a profit. That requires keeping costs low so they can compete in the marketplace. Anything that increases the cost of doing business requires the company to either increase prices or lose money. Losing money eventually drives the business into bankruptcy or forces them out of the... More..
Politics, News & Issues > War in Iraq Commentary: Bush uses false argument to justify war in Iraq: 1 of 5
I AM A LIAR! IS PRESIDENT BUSH?I was born on June 24th. At least I thought I was born on June 24th. My Birth Certificate said I was born on June 24th. So did my Drivers License. All my life I told people I was born on June 24th, filled out applications, legal documents, and had even sworn under oath. Wrong! Under today's stan... More..
Politics, News & Issues > News Industry Commentary: How the news industry sold integrity to pander for profits: 3 of 13
"Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar." Edward R. MurrowToday's broadcast and cable's "chattering class" would do well with an injection of Murrow's humility. Unfortunately, humility does not get ratings, and ratings are the lifeblo... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Immigration Satire: Immigration and the new 'American dream': 3 of 12
The Pilgrims are coming! The Pilgrims are coming! Americans faced their first immigration crisis. The year was 1601. You can blame it all on Pocahontas. She placed her pretty little head between John Smith and the war hammer that was about to crush his head like an egg hit with a Plymouth Rock. With tears in her eyes, she cri... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Raised by society: Are we taught moral responsibility or obedience?: 2 of 8
It doesn't take a village' to raise a child, but it takes parents. If they do a good job, society benefits from their efforts. Babies don't come into the world with a sense of morality, they are a blank slate and it's their parents that will fill in the void.The first thing a child needs to learn is obedience. They have to be... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Party Politics & Ideology Why democracy is or isn't the best method for every country: 13 of 48
"Democracy is the worst form of government, save all others" Winston Churchill.Of course here in the United States we don't live in a democracy. We live in a republic. In a pure democracy all the citizens vote on every issue. That may have served ancient Athens well, but for larger societies it is too cumbersome to work.A rep... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues The problems with nationalized health care: 11 of 38
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE RISES FROM THE DEAD"We're going to have universal health care when I'm president - there's no doubt about that. We're going to get it done." Hillary ClintonThe Mommy State may get a real mother in 08, and she promises to nurse this ailing nation back to health. It has been said "Democracy will only last ... More..
Arts & Humanities > 19th Century US History Investigating the causes and effects of the Civil War: 7 of 24
The Civil War was at its roots a clash of cultures. The North was an industrialized sophisticated society while the South was an agrarian nearly feudal society. Psychologically they were completely at odds with each other.Politically the war was fought over the issue of "States Rights." Since the signing of the Constitution t... More..
Hobbies & Games > Card Games The best starting hands in Texas hold'em poker: 4 of 11
Like everything in Poker, the best starting hand depends. What type game are you playing? Limit, No Limit or a Tournament. What are the stakes? What is the texture of the game? How well do you play? Most important, what is your position?Obviously American Airlines (AA) is the best possible starting hand, but how good it is de... More..
Hobbies & Games > Card Games Poker: Rules of etiquette: 3 of 8
Playing poker in a casino you have to act courteously, remember you are not alone at the table. The best rule is "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you."Before playing in a new cardroom, read the house rules. Most casinos have the same general rules, but some vary them. Make sure you know the rules of the game bef... More..