Articles written by Gordon Mcdonald

What is Helium

About me - Gordon Mcdonald

I am a recently semi-retired engineer who is now enjoying writing for fun and profit (hopefully, on the latter). My travels have been extensive throughout the United States including to all states except Maine and Hawaii. Nearby foreign travels include Canada,

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Politics, News & Issues > War in Iraq How to end the war in Iraq: 2 of 33
So many experts! So few people who have the slightest idea of what is involved in ending the war in Iraq. Suggesting that the troops just pack up their tents and come home is a commonly expressed comment. But, would that truly end the war? I and millions of others believe that would only prolong the situation and peace would ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Science fiction: 49 of 290
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! (A SHORT STORY)Few would ever believe it, but a young American genius had invented a 'perpetual motion' or free energy' machine. Such a machine is one that needs no renewable energy to allow it to function continuously. To provide any useful benefit the machine must be capable of doing 'work', not just runnin... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Love expressed: 128 of 722
Walking Down a Country RoadWalking down a dark country road at midnightThe twinkling stars above are shining brightlyNo words can really express what's in my sightBut I revisit this same beautiful scene nightlyAnd as I wander slowly along this dusty roadI'm thinking about you and things in the pastI knew you really loved me a... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Life: 82 of 343
HUMOROUS STORIESThe following few brief, real-life anecdotes have been gleaned from from many more that I have smiled or laughed about over a lifetime. *The minds of children obviously operate at a different level than adults. This little story illustrates that their priorities may remain close to the surface and can quickly... More..
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History The assassination of J. F. Kennedy: 7 of 20
JFK ASSASSINATIONThe assassination of JFK with all of its' intrigue and mystery is the stuff from which novels and movies are made. In fact, that is exactly what has transpired as most of the 'conspiracy theories' have been created by people writing books, or screenwriters or journalists wanting to capitalize on the subject. ... More..
Travel > Travel Diaries & Adventures (Other) Weird travel stories: 34 of 69
WHEN YOU GOTTA GO - YOU GOTTA GO!The subject of this writing may be considered 'taboo' in many circles. But, I promise you that it will be very informative and will be presented so as not to offend anyone reading it. These are mostly anecdotes generated from my travels to a few places around the world and general life experie... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Writing: 252 of 505
IS IT POETRY?Some of the 'poems' read like a garbled e-mail messageLike the ones where there is not one coherent sentenceYou assume the writer must be high on some kind of drugThe word 'love' is used and is supposed to mean somethingThere is no 'meter' and no rhyme but we are to believeThat this combination of words required ... More..
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History Identifying the assassin of JFK: 5 of 10
WHO ASSASSINATED JFK?The assassination of JFK with all of its' intrigue and mystery is the stuff from which novels and movies are made. In fact, that is exactly what has transpired as most of the 'conspiracy theories' have been created by people writing books, screenwriters or journalists wanting to capitalize on the subject.... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Economy Assessing Wal-Mart's treatment of employees: 11 of 17
Wal-Mart is not the devil that some would make them out to be. My wife has been a Wal-Mart employee as a cashier for about 18 months and rarely complains about her treatment from Wal-Mart per se. She has been given regular raises and access to benefits (bonuses, profit-sharing, insurance coverage, 401K savings and is now a fu... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Economic News Illegal immigration and the economy: 6 of 9
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE ECONOMYApparently my belief that American business is at the root of the immigration problem is not shared by many readers. But, living close to the problem enables me to see just how many Mexicans wait daily on street corners around the Phoenix, Arizona area. They stand there hoping to get work an... More..