The Challenge The phrase “American exceptionalism” keeps coming up while I’ve been abroad, and generally it seems to be used in a negative or even a pejorative sense. The phrase was first used by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America in the 1830s: “The position of the Americans is therefore quite exceptional,…
**Note: National Geographic depiction of the overlapping claims in the South China Sea ~ as each country claims 200 nautical miles from shore, and China claims the entirety ~ the ingredients for conflict are apparent. **Note: The Economist chart above, depicts graphically the relative size of the economy of U.S. states compared with countries around…
1. The Yearly Deficit Problem About a year ago, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (a think tank in Washington) produced a report which included the chart to the left. It should be noted that this is a rough approximation. For example, the 2011 Federal Budget is actually a deeper deficit than depicted at…
I’ll start with the lighter, good news: I ran 17.5 miles yesterday, part of which was in an organized trail run with the Wellington Scottish. The legs are feeling strong and healthy, and although not 100%, I’m gaining confidence. It put me at about 60 miles for the week, which is another milestone. Again, I’ve…
The past two weeks have gone well – 52 miles last week and just shy of 50 this week. Last Saturday I did a 15 mile run through some really tough headwinds at a 7 minute/mile pace. I’m hopeful that I can do a 20 miler this coming Sunday with the local run club, but…
National Journal has run an excellent story on the financial aspect of Osama bin Laden’s death. Frankly, it’s pretty sobering to think about. The article begins: “By conservative estimates, bin Laden cost the United States at least $3 trillion over the past 15 years, counting the disruptions he wrought on the domestic economy, the wars…
It’s amazing to think that Time magazine named Adolf Hitler “Person of the Year” in 1938 – I was reminded of that the other day – hence my decision to go with the Osama bin Laden (OBL) cover at right. In reading opinion pieces the past week and a half since OBL’s death, I’ve come…
51 miles this week, with a complete rest today (Sunday). So that’s 51 miles in 6 days of training. And, yesterday, I did 13.1 miles, a half marathon, in 1 hour, 31 minutes, or roughly a 7 minute/mile pace. I did two strength workouts, one on Tuesday and one on Friday, again focusing on the…
The image at right was in place this past Sunday (NZ time) morning, roughly 36 hours before Osama bin Laden was confirmed dead by President Obama. It’s a cricket field adjacent to the NZ National Botanical Gardens, where my brother Kevin and I would go to take Army physical fitness tests weekly while he was…
This past week shows continued development. Approximately 47 miles, including a 10 miler yesterday (at 7:30/mile pace). With today, being Sunday, off (trying to keep the Sabbath holy and, well, for family purposes). So 6 days, 47 miles, nearly an 8 mile/day average. The broken foot still feels not quite right, but, certainly not broken…