Articles written by Terry Mahoney

What is Helium

About me - Terry Mahoney

4/22/08
I am a married father of three living in a pre-colonial rural Maryland home. I am a former Marine Sargeant and political moderate with ambitions of writing professionally. My interests include both fiction and non-fiction and I have recently put myself

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Politics, News & Issues > US Military (Other) Should soldiers be allowed to opt out of wars they disagree with?: 3 of 73
The concept of opting out of a war, or even a duty, that they personally disagree with should be so foreign to a US serviceman that the question itself could never be asked. To equivocate in the face of the enemy is tantamount to treason, and runs counter to the good order and discipline of the service.There is an option for ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: The garden gate: 1 of 23
"I'm surprised you caught me. I'm usually outside until dusk, and hardly answer the phone after dark." Her voice was light, even friendly. The man had been surprised when she had picked up the phone. He had been calling her number since Monday, and knew for certain that her phone would ring fifteen (sometimes fifteen and a... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Church participation and voting trends in the U.S.: 1 of 14
Christian religious leaders, both Catholic and protestant, have taken greater steps in directly influencing this election cycle than they have in any other recent contest. This year the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian legal group, has organized a nationwide push for pastors to endorse a specific candidate, in ... More..
Personal Finance > Personal Finance (Other) Should the government regulate the credit card industry?: 2 of 20
Credit card debt in the United States approaches one trillion dollars. There are more than two credit cards for every person in the country. In 2004 banks and other credit card companies earned $43 billion in income from late payment, over-limit and balance transfer fees. These same companies spent over $100 million lobbying ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Paranormal: 8 of 79
Thankfully, he felt little pain. His legs and right arm dangled in the water, moving slowly with the gentle tide. He only knew this because the odd twist of his neck put his lower body in view. He heard laughter from far above, on the bluffs of Turkey Point, but he could not move his head to look. He could move nothing except... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Should health insurance companies be "for profit"?: 1 of 8
No institution in America can be strictly non-profit or government controlled, so it stands to reason that the public health system should have for-profit companies involved in the process. What for-profit brings to the table that wholly-regulated does not is a dynamism that finds efficiencies and innovations because of one o... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Laundry day: 7 of 47
Would this be a window or a door day, I wonder. I much prefer window days, because then Miranda will sort of lean out and up as she puts the wash on the line, and her shirt might ride up and her little belly will peek from above the waistband of her skirt. My grandson, Luis, gives me hell for watching her. He calls me a... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Making choices: 13 of 75
"Due to your valor in Norway, we will let you take the course of honor." The fat colonel had smirked as he placed the pistol and one round carefully on the bedside table. The condemned man sat at the edge of his bed, still in his nightshirt. His left foot and leg looked like something out of a nightmare. Most of the foot ... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Atheism & Agnosticism What atheists believe in: 4 of 20
Atheists believe in nothing. I do not mean to say that they believe all life and experience is false or unreal due to the lack of a supernatural presence in the universe. Their belief in nothing, in this instance, refers instead to their ability to successfully contemplate nothingness and the complete lack of any deity. They ... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes The first time I sang karaoke: 26 of 121
I recall quite clearly the first time I ever sang karaoke, the effect it had on me, and the resultant chaos it caused among those who were forced to listen. My friend, a karaoke enthusiast, was having his party at the karaoke night of a local rib joint. As a birthday gift, all he wanted was a song from each of us.I had not kn... More..