Articles written by Russell Greer

What is Helium

About me - Russell Greer

Professor of history and public school teacher. Military service as U.S. Air Force pilot (1980-1991). Love to write fiction, as well as non-fiction.

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Politics, News & Issues > People in the News Michael Vick: Is he a criminal for promoting dog fighting?: 1 of 111
Comparing dogfighting to extreme fighting/boxing is a misguided and weak argument, at best. To attempt to do so lumps one into the category of "Vick apologist," and, in a broader sense, that of apologist for the criminal subculture that has become a part of the National Football League (NFL). Professional boxers, wrestlers (a... More..
Politics, News & Issues > People in the News Paris Hilton: Does justice favor the rich?: 1 of 36
Justice does indeed favor the wealthy and powerful. All one need do is look at the preferential treatment Paris Hilton recently received in jail, not only from the county sheriff who released her prematurely, but by the actual treatment she received from detention facility personnel; treatment that is currently being investig... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Commentary Paris Hilton still doesn't "get it" after doing time in jail: 1 of 16
After watching as much of Larry King's interview with newly-released jailbird, Paris Hilton, as I could stomach, I turned away with one overwhelming impression...Miss Hilton still doesn't "get it." Never mind the stilted, wooden performance in front of Mr. King. Never mind all the talk about "finding God" and wishing to take ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Should Congress or the President have more say in directing war strategy?: 1 of 8
Article II of the U.S. Constitution gives the President the authority to function as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy (to include the Marine Corps), and by extension, the Air Force. Article I says nothing at all about Congress having any parallel authority in this regard. Therefore, the President, in his constituti... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Al Gore and the unearned privileges of wealth and power: 1 of 5
Albert Gore...a soft son of politics and wealth. To borrow a phrase from John Fogerty, he is a "fortunate son," in every respect the 1969 Creedence Clearwater hit of the same name implies. He is living testament to the unearned privileges wealth buys in this country and how the scales of government and even justice can be tip... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Bush Administration Commentary: Presidential pardon: 1 of 5
Article II of the U.S. Constitution gives the President of the United States the absolute power to grant pardons and reprieves to anyone he sees fit. Former-President Bill Clinton, perhaps more well-versed in constitutional law than our current President, states in an article entitled, "My Reasons for the Pardons," that this ... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Commentary Celebrity death: Remembering James Brown: 1 of 5
The so-called "Godfather of Soul" is gone...James Brown, also known as "the Hardest Working Man in Show Business." Quite the entertainer, James was. I always wondered what that self-proclaimed title meant. I suppose it came about in the 1970s as a way to ride the coattails of the movie, "The Godfather." In hindsight, it was j... More..
Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games (Other) Reading as a hobby: Escape in a good book: 24 of 75
As a boy, growing up in the '60s, my parents always marveled at the fact I was so adept at entertaining myself. Sure, I loved being outside with my friends, riding our bikes to the neighborhood swimming pool and making a day of it there, playing wiffle-ball in the backyard on summer evenings until it was too dark to see the b... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Paris Hilton's jail time: 6 of 13
Not in a million years did I expect it, but I suppose it was bound to happen, sooner or later the Right Reverend Al Sharpton and I finally agree on something. Praise the Lord! Our synchronicity of thought centers around the multiple arrests, prosecution, incarceration, and release of the tiresome Paris Hilton, who like the de... More..
Politics, News & Issues > War in Iraq Utilize the appropriate force to resolve the peace in Iraq: 1 of 2
Recently, I saw America's self-styled "Ethics Tsar," Bill Bennett, author of The Book of Virtues, being interviewed on one of the morning television news gabfests. While I questioned the legitimacy of him commenting on military-related matters, given his personal lack of uniformed service to our country, I did agree with one ... More..