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Broken windows or broken people?

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“Intentional littering indicates a declining society.” Dr. BLR   This essay is about the human spirit, so I might face some pushback, but I am ready for it, so here goes. In 1982, James Q. Wilson and George Kelling, two white men—one a criminologist and the other a political scientist—proposed the “Broken Windows” theory, which argued that a visible sign of an unrepaired broken window indicates that no one cares, leading to more damage. This was eye-opening research, but over the years, it has been challenged. This essay isn’t that deep. I just want to add my own informal take and simplify it to the basic question: “Do you litter?”  Every semester, I ask my students to evaluate whether they are simply lazy or if there's a clear reason why some do, and others don't. For the record, I don't litter and go out of my way to flick a booger into the trash or find a tissue to remove it from my nose. Sorry for the unwanted visual.  While I know this question might get some strange...
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Allegiance to whom?

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“Creating a new villain is inevitable when the boogeyman resembles them.” Dr. BLR     For sports fans, we were recently entertained by baseball players from 20 teams, including MLB All-Stars and qualifying teams such as Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Italy, and Brazil. The drama surrounding the games made for prime-time TV and soap operas. Given the recent events involving the imprisonment of a duly elected president, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, it only made sense that the world would be captivated by the USA and Venezuela in the finals. The game came down to the last inning, and, though controversial, one pitch proved Venezuela was superior, and they won 2-1. Many of the baseball players were from the MLB, and I am interested in knowing to whom they pledge their allegiance. Most foreign MLB players come from Latin American countries, but switch out their uniforms for international sporting events.  I ask this because the United States recently engaged in an unprovoke...
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Let’s talk about it

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"I will stand with you only if you respect me as I sit when I disagree with your unjust cause." Dr. BLR As we prepare for the start of the MLB season and the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament, the world’s attention will also be on the FIFA World Cup, which begins in June. While sports will be in the spotlight over the next few months, you might find it surprising that, despite this being great for everyone, a more controversial sports issue involves transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.   Historically, the first transgender man competed in women’s college basketball in 2010, when the NCAA had no policy governing the practice. I don’t want to seem insensitive, but why would a biological man feel the need to compete against a woman, especially if they have an inherent advantage? Sports are meant to be competitive and fun. I cannot imagine how a woman would feel knowing that, in order to win a medal, she would have to beat a biological male.   There is n...
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When they stop believing

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      “If you decide to co-sign their nonsense, then you are the buffoon they believe you to be.” Dr. BLR   One of the greatest gifts a society can give is the ability to discover the truth about its history. For many years, older generations mainly believed what the mass media and the government told them, hook, line, and sinker. This mindset caused parents to pass it on to their children, and it continued until the hype was no longer trusted.  I often engage my students in discussions about my past, and I get puzzled looks because some of what I share doesn’t make sense to them. I can’t blame them because I used to ask my mother about her childhood and couldn’t believe some of the things she endured because of what they were told and what they believed. It is this discussion that motivates this essay. Many of my students are paying attention to current events in society. Like past generations, we are experiencing difficult times with many wars happening worldw...
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We can’t give up!

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“Based on your despicable actions worldwide, you should pray there is no afterlife where you would be judged.” Dr. BLR   I sat in front of my computer for several minutes before beginning this essay. My mind is overwhelmed with turmoil, and I didn’t know where to start. No doubt, those reading this already know what’s been happening in the world, especially the recent unprovoked war on Iran. The first report was about an attack on a school filled with children. As a father, I cannot imagine the pain the parents of the fallen children are feeling. Behind every death is a child who will never grow up. A parent who will never see their children blossom or become parents themselves. And for what? Just because a “man” said it was okay for our country to bomb another nation? What have we become?  For those witnessing the carnage inflicted on innocent citizens in various countries over the past few years, when will enough be enough? While I have no personal stake in these incide...
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Deja vu War

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  “Wars expose the callousness in people, depending on which side you're on.” Dr. BLR   One of the greatest things about growing old is that you’re capable of “seeing the forest for the trees,” “smelling the bullshit,” and saying, “been there, done that.” Well, this is where I am now regarding the recent military action against Iran. To say the least, I’m fucking tired, and it has nothing to do with the lack of sleep. Over the past couple of days, I saw and heard President Donald Trump talk ad nauseam about his plans to possibly go to war. In the interest of full disclosure, I have no idea who has nuclear weapons, but I will say that if other countries have them, then who the hell are we to say another country shouldn’t have one as well? Is this a controversial statement? Yeah, but so what?  The United States of America, and yes, I spelled it out, has a record of bullying other countries. Our track record of invasions, coups, and regime change is well documented, but many...
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To smoke or not to smoke

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  “What works for you may not work for me, so let me find my own way to figure it out.” Dr. BLR   One of the pleasures I get from teaching students is talking to them and providing them with the best advice I can, based on my six-plus decades of living. Over the years, I’ve noticed a trend happening as more students come through the doors of my classroom. A lot of my current and former students have admitted to smoking weed, even after I have apprised them of their Fifth Amendment right to self-incrimination. Of course, I am joking, as I have been retired from law enforcement for the past 15 years. Yet, they feel comfortable sharing this fact with me. I then ask them why. I didn’t know what to expect from their individual responses, but they all seem to think that smoking weed helps with their anxiety. Not to seem insensitive, given my generation’s experiences growing up, I find that many young people today have poor coping skills and find solace in lighting up. I don’t b...
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