Articles written by Jerry Curtis

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About me - Jerry Curtis

I am a retired U.S. Navy officer, former Economic Development Analyst, ex-community college vocational education adviser, and erstwhile computer office software instructor. My wife and I live quietly in the south of Denver, CO, in the beautiful front range

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Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Dark poems: 16 of 1323
I am the ghost of Johnny RebI died at First Bull RunA Minnie ball blew out my eyeI was not yet 21I am the dead who are the groundIn Sharpsburg, Vicksburg tooWe lay in piles akimboI was not yet 22I am the ghost of Billy YankI lay on Marye's HillMy friends were shot like cattleYet we charged those rebels stillI am the blue clad... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Animal humor: 1 of 68
The Elephant TrainerI first met Leon in a cocktail lounge near the Denver Zoo. He was sitting alone at the bar, even though the place was crowded. I sat down beside him and quickly learned why he was alone. Leon stank. It wasn't the normal human stink of sweat or from bad toiletry habits. No it was pungent, permeating, almost... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Constitutional & Contract Law Has political correctness undermined free speech in the US?: 1 of 62
Political correctness undermines free speech in the United States in a number of insidious ways. It stifles confrontation and allows undercurrents of tension to build up when people do not say what they are really thinking. It sustains a climate of below-the-surface feelings of victimization that can erupt in a volcano of rag... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Fire: 2 of 94
From ember's sleep I rise and lickThat which is dry and prone to meI smoke and rise to kindling's stickAnd turn to char, to blacken free......That which I consume and change its formAll in my path my own life's fuelI burn and roar with windy stormLascivious bent, unfeeling cruel......To those would stay my windward soundI roa... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Should the words "under God" be in the US Pledge of Allegiance?: 1 of 43
The words "under God" belong in the Pledge of Allegiance because: 1) Congress passed a law in the 1950's adding them, and 2) the overwhelming majority of Americans want them there. Their benign, generic presence does not violate the "separation between church and state," nor do they "establish a state religion." Grumpy atheis... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Leaders (Other) If I were president of the US ...: 2 of 79
If I were president of US, I would attack our country's number one problem: dependence on foreign energy resources. I would set a timetable for our country's becoming totally self-sufficient in meeting all our energy needs. That timetable would also include a plan for total disengagement from the Middle East along with a prep... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 The Obama cult: Is the Second Coming nigh?: 1 of 37
Urbane, a gifted speaker, and a man who seems to light up the room with his classy wife and great looking children, Barack Obama could be the black and white version of John F. Kennedy. Unlike Kennedy, Obama's electoral mandate is overwhelming. (Kennedy's critics claim that his father, Joseph, bought the election, and Cook Co... More..
Arts & Humanities > Philosophical Concepts Thoughts on individuality: 1 of 37
The irony of individuality is that sometimes it is a luxury that can only be achieved by contributing something special to the group. True individualists are often innovators. They are the original thinkers among us who break the mold and come up with advertising slogans like "Think outside the bun."Individuality and creativi... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Thoughts on God Why God does not intervene in the world more often: 2 of 64
God does not seem to directly intervene in the world at all nowadays. One tenet of the Judeo-Christian tradition is that God has played an active role in his relations with the so-called "chosen people" of Israel, and later in the New Covenant through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus. Both traditions relate a par... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: God's will: 2 of 58
If God willed allDid He cast adriftOur world so largeThat even He will not lift?If God wills allWhy does He not liftThis world off courseThat He cast adrift?If mankind's willDoes counter God'sThen is prayer futileDoes it reduce the oddsThat we His childrenLose His loving Gaze,Because we mostly goOur selfish ways?Or is it true... More..