By Dr. Jim Ferguson “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” James Madison from the Federalist Papers I collect quotes, sometimes even my own! But then I also collect and memorize verses of scripture especially meaningful to me. Memorization was very important in antiquity. Traveling raconteurs would actually recite the Iliad from memory […]
By Dr. Jim Ferguson “The first reaction to truth is hatred.” Tertullian (c 200 AD) Why do humans seem to preferentially dwell on what they lack rather than what they have? Recently, I’ve been thinking about positivity and the contrasting negativity, notably seen in the media and politics. Maybe I’m just isolated in Knoxville, […]
By Dr. Jim Ferguson As my readers know I like words; not just to be pedantic (bookish), but pedagogical (educational), because I’m a teacher at heart. Previously I’ve noted that the word doctor derives from the Latin word docere, which means to teach. I teach medical students, nurses, staff, patients, colleagues and those who will […]
By Dr. Jim Ferguson With all the miserable news that daily bombards us, is it any wonder why people are despondent and huddle in fear? The journalistic mantra of, “If it bleeds, it leads,” is on full display these days. A recent Gallup poll found that 84% of Americans believe the media is the major […]
By Dr. Jim Ferguson Last week I touched on the subject of education, historically designed to teach students the tools for discourse (the 3 Rs) and how to think clearly (reason). If done correctly and without indoctrination, education will provide the springboard for a lifetime of learning. Curiosity is also integral to learning, but not […]
By Dr. Jim Ferguson There are many casualties of the Wuhan flu, “modern” liberalism and leftist philosophy. No, in this war in which we find ourselves, I cannot be reserved and politically correct. Going along to get along with the cancel culture crowd only emboldens the mob and tyranny. Daily I pray for strength and […]
By Dr. Jim Ferguson In 312 AD the world changed, and many remain unaware. In October of that year a momentous battle occurred at the Milvian Bridge on the Tiber River in Italy. The formidable army of Roman General Maxentius was in control of the walled city of Rome. He was opposed by the smaller […]
By Dr. Jim Ferguson Well, we made it back from the beach without incidence. The only difference I noted in our recent travel was the ubiquitous mask that even our airport’s Smokey bears are forced to wear. Sadly, most of us can now complain, “I can’t breathe.” I would like to give a shout out […]
By Dr. Jim Ferguson When your children invite you to dinner or to travel with them, you show up. I’m not a beach person. I prefer a mountain stream “far from the madding crowd.” But, since it’s more about the journey than the destination, Becky and I will spend The Fourth at the beach with […]
By Dr. Jim Ferguson Surrealism is an art style which features illogical dreamlike visions in contradiction to reality. Perhaps the most famous depiction of surrealism is Salvador Dali’s melting clocks in his painting “The Persistence of Memory.” Unfortunately, Dali’s nightmare-like visions have become reality in America’s 2020 cultural revolution. The absurdity is that anarchists are […]
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