Articles written by Donald Finley

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About me - Donald Finley

Twenty-two year Air Force Colonel. Formerly Electronic Warfare Officer on B-52G and RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT. Married 26 years, 3 children ages 17, 20, 23 and custody and guardianship of 3 1/2 yr old granddaughter. Undergraduate degree in Philosophy, M.A. in

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Arts & Humanities > Awareness & Reality Why the passing of time seems to accelerate as we age: 1 of 43
Everyone has heard the phrase, "Time flies when you're having fun." As simple as is seems, I believe this fully explains why time accelerates as we age. The question remains as to whether time is a constant, or if it really changes as we perceive it to. Children constantly complain of being bored if they are not continuous... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Who are you to judge others?: 7 of 152
As I read other writings on the topic of judging others, it almost sickens me. "Who are you to judge others?" I truly believe those who advocate not judging others need to take a look in the mirror and see if they still have a backbone. Everyone judges. It's human nature. It may be a sin according to the Bible, perhaps ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Should the United States have universal health care?: 3 of 60
Medical professionals in the United States are among the most respected in the world. The quality of care in this country is unparalleled in any other nation. Heads of state, influential figures, and the wealthy from all parts of the world flock to the United States to get the very best care and treatment available on the p... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Are we [Americans] collectively dumb as a nation?: 3 of 52
Are we collectively dumb as a nation? I try as I write this to come up with a justifiable no, but I just can't. In a nation of nearly 300 million people, only a third of us vote. The premier right in a democracy is the ability to choose our own leaders, and two-thirds of us don't even participate. I think that's dumb. ... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Childhood memories: 5 of 80
When I was younger than 5 years old, I lived in a gigantic house in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a two-story monstrosity with a long front porch and 6 columns that reached from the porch to the roof. I could conceal myself behind a column so no one could see me from the street. Hedges, opened at the middle where the sidewa... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Politics (Other) Political commentary: America's shifting political mood: 1 of 15
Immediately after his inauguration, President Obama's approval rating according to Gallup was 68%. His disapproval percentage was 12%. Now, those numbers are 51% and 41% respectively. That's a 17% approval rating decline. Approval ratings get good press coverage, even when in decline, but the 29% increase in disapproval r... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms The problems faced in finding good leaders: 1 of 14
Why are good leaders are so hard to come by? Here's a good exampleI remember seeing General Norman Schwarzkopf on one of the late night talk shows shortly after he retired following the first Gulf War. The show's host, as he always did, led off the show with his monologue, telling jokes and making fun of anyone he could. His ... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms When did stupidity become socially acceptable?: 1 of 12
Stupidity has gradually been gaining mainstream acceptance over the past few decades. The more appropriate question is probably not "When?", but "Why?" Both of the questions can be answered by a simple word: television. Remember Laurel and Hardy, Abbot and Costello and Lewis and Martin? Who got the laughs? The stupid guys.Loo... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values The lessons you learn from making mistakes: 2 of 23
The prevailing wisdom says we learn from our mistakes. As parents, we tell ourselves exactly that when our children embark on some hair-brained endeavor. Convinced they will do no permanent harm, we allow them to make the mistake so they can learn from it. We also know they wouldn't believe us if we explained to them that... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Taking a look at stupidity in today's society: 4 of 42
Anywhere you look, you'll see stupidity. It's a relative thing, so what one person sees as stupid, someone else will be too stupid to even understand. There are other things we all experience every day, incredibly stupid things, yet we don't think much of it, or realize how truly stupid some of it is. When you finish readi... More..