Articles written by Robert Williscroft - Page 4

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About me - Robert Williscroft

I served 23 years in the U.S. Navy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). I commenced my service as an enlisted nuclear Submarine Sonar Technician, was selected for the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program, and graduated from

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Society & Lifestyle > Racism Reverse racism: The other face (of discrimination): 7 of 40
The following event happened to me recently. I relate it as accurately as I can, and am actively resisting putting a spin on the telling.I have been consulting for a small law firm in downtown Los Angeles. The firm is located on the top floor of a twelve story office building on Wilshire Boulevard at the edge of Korea Town. A... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Economic Values Why America is in debt: 5 of 25
Our nation is facing the largest national debt in its history. Our annual budget deficit is overwhelming - we're swimming in red ink. From time to time, when the Democrats control things, Congress imposes new taxes on Americans in a demonstration of "fiscal responsibility." When Republicans control, they reduce taxes to "stim... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Explaining the invisible hand theory: 2 of 10
Adam Smith developed the concept in the late 18th century that in an unregulated market, supply and demand will eventually balance, guided by the "Invisible Hand" of market forces. Eventually, he said, this results in the most efficient manufacturing processes and the lowest prices. What Smith could not predict, however, was ... More..
Sciences > Genetics Human cloning: 1 of 5
The human condition has two and only two absolutes. Born we are, and die we must. Everything between is a crap shoot; we control or not, influence or not, prevent or not - except birth and death.From primitive times birth has been haphazard at best. For reasons that are, themselves, the subject for discourse, the morality of ... More..
Education > Education (Other) Education vs training: 1 of 5
It is a fact that American young people compare very poorly with youths from other developed nations in their reading and writing skills, in their mathematical ability, in their knowledge of geography. Nobody really denies the problem, although it is frequently stated in ways that lend support to specific points of view. Depe... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Islam Are modern Muslim fatwas (religious orders issued by leaders of Islam) fueling Islamic extremism?: 6 of 28
In the world most of us know, we have nothing analogous to Wahhabi Islam. This may explain why we appear to be ignoring this ominous threat, despite everything we have accomplished against international terrorism and radical regimes in Southwest Asia in the past two years.The Wahhabi sect is a branch of Sunni Islam. A bit of ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Trash & Recycling Nuclear and radioactive waste disposal: 2 of 9
In 1977 President Carter signed a policy that banned the reprocessing of nuclear fuel in the United States. The explanation was that the plutonium could possibly be stolen, and terrorists might be able to use it to make atomic bombs. This decision resulted in piles of long-lived radioactive material that we are not supposed t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Economy The government should be held to the same principles of good business management as a publicly held US corporation: 5 of 20
In 1988 Randal O'Toole wrote Reforming the Forest Service, published by Island Press. Although the Forest Service probably does not consider O'Toole a friend, he makes several very cogent points. A literary device he uses is to juxtapose Lee Iacocca and an imaginary former chief of the Forest Service.Suppose, writes O'Toole, ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Environmental Awareness Earth Day 2008: 3 of 12
In your mind, travel back to 1970, the year the first Earth Day happened. Flower children loved freely on our college campuses, but emerging violent protest painted an ugly backdrop. Leisure suits were popular, although men wearing them were developing thick waistlines and high foreheads. The micro miniskirt had replaced the ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies The image of the US in Arab media: 2 of 8
I wrote this article on September 11, 2002. With the exception of the names of several bad guys who are no longer with us, the article is as true today as it was five and a half years ago.As we remember the horrific events of 9/11 today, it is important to recall Osama bin Laden's declaration of war against us:"We - with God'... More..