Articles written by Tom Koecke - Page 2

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About me - Tom Koecke

With thirty years experience in consumer finance, having raised two daughters as a single father, and trying desperately to get through my second childhood, I bring two things to the table when I write: an overload of experience, and a sense of humor!

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Creative Writing > Satire Satire: Computers: 1 of 15
My Mom's ComputerI was talking to this other guy who has a computer. I told him about some eerie things going on with my mom's computer. He told me a story about 2001. A computer named HAL was discovered. HAL would do evil things to keep from being shut off because computers die when they are shut off. He told me it was reall... More..
Entertainment > Movie Genres Top five movies of all time: 10 of 145
What a task it is to reduce all the great movies to the top five, further complicated by the fact that I have not seen every movie! To each, it is a matter of judgment.These are not my five favorite movies, but the top five I believe represent creative advancement, social impact, and longevity:"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Inner struggles: 38 of 531
Principled guards fidget again.Conscience beckoned from deep within.Natures coming into sight.Is right best? Is best right?Guards stay fast hiding fright,No match they know for nature's might.Conscience strength is what they need,Or upon the guards, the beasts will feed.Natures howl, growl, snarl and roar.Guards uneasily awai... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Getting in touch with my inner child: 1 of 13
I do not remember what else I got for Christmas that year, but I sure do remember the Superman capes my aunt made for my cousin and me! Whatever else we got was put aside while we donned our superhero apparel and flew around Metropolis right there in the living room! My cousin, who is a couple years older than me, thought we ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Economy Should the US adopt the Flat Tax Amendment?: 1 of 12
Though it sounds like an equitable idea that everyone should pay their "fair share" for the cost of government, establishing a "flat tax rate" on income would be devastating to the economy, and would put an unfair burden on poor people, especially the working poor. While my libertarian friends cringe at such economic injustic... More..
Sciences > Genetics The genetics of intelligence and race: Nobel Prize winner James Watson sets back race relations: 2 of 22
Nobel Prize winner James Watson, who was one of the pioneers on DNA research and who runs one of America's leading research institutions, has set back racial relations with comments he made recently. Among other statements, he said, "All our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours - w... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections (Other) Should photo identification be required to vote?: 1 of 11
Presuming there are qualifications for registering to vote, there is no need for photo identification to be required to receive or cast one's ballot. There is process in place for challenging the validity of registrants, and simple processes for updating registration information. Turning the requirement to show proof of eligi... More..
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History The assassination of J. F. Kennedy: 2 of 20
The weather was warmer than expected in Dallas on Friday, November 22, 1963. It would likely have been comfortable for most people from Northern states to put the convertible top down. John F. Kennedy might even have mentioned it during his luncheon speech, if he had made it. However, shortly after turning onto Elm Street in ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory The concept of justice: 7 of 59
"Nothing is to be preferred before justice." - SocratesJustice is a concept that is difficult to consider objectively, and far more difficult to apply objectively. We are hindered by our perceptions and prejudices to consider justice applying to those we hate, disregard, or consider unworthy. It is because of our subjective n... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Leaders (Other) Should the next US president focus more on domestic issues?: 1 of 8
The collapse of the USSR in the 1980s left the US unquestionably the lone super-power in the world. The US did not defeat the USSR on the battlefield, on the seas, or in the air. What defeated the USSR was the collapse of its economy trying to maintain its super-power status and control amassing numbers of dissidents within p... More..