Following the tragic loss of Trayvon Martin at the hands of George Zimmerman, almost everyone who is aware of the case has an opinion, and it is those opinions that have taken this story to a level of volatility that could become explosive. Trayvon's death and the subsequent media swell around this has resulted in emotions on all sides of the war of public opinion being evoked and provoked. At this point, the controversy has taken on a life of its own, and the truth may likely have been lost.  Although charges have been filed against George Zimmerman, the underlying issues...

One of the most respected coaches in football leaves his post in a shroud of shame and a most honored University is left to stare itself deep into its soul and question, “Where is integrity when it counts the most?” Over the past few years we have been facing issues of integrity at every turn, from our governments, to our financial institutions to our sports and even the most respected are being exposed. In the wake of the Penn State scandal, many are in shock, asking themselves, how can an institution that is dedicated to the education and growth, mentoring tomorrows...

A dangerous game of political chicken is being played in our country with the debt ceiling, and it stands the chance of bringing the further downfall of the American Empire. I wouldn’t say that this “crisis” of the debt ceiling would be the major cause of this downfall, it is a symptom of a larger problem. I have often said that arrogance has led to the downfall of almost every empire throughout time, and what I see now when I turn on the news is arrogance and politicians who seem to be out of touch with many Americans. It is...

See Dick turn on the TV. See Jane sit down next to Dick. See Dick and Jane watch commercials. See Dick and Jane want everything they see. See Corporate America with $$ in their eyes, as they market adult items to the way too young. Have you noticed the moving target? Over the past decades, Corporate America has put their crosshairs on younger and younger kids. Advertising dollars are looking to gain lifetime consumers and brand loyalty, soon, out of the crib, by marketing everything from make-up to clothing to electronics and the latest move by Skechers to focus their Shape-Ups...

For as long as animals and humans have ruled over others in their prides, packs, tribes and families, revolution has been a part of the process of change. The way that so many of us have been taught to use and abuse power, as well as the tendency for many animals to define power structures and hierarchies, results in those who have it and those who don’t. It is the belief and the perception that the haves get what they want (often at the expense of the have-nots) that drives the continued struggle for power. As long as the haves...

Nursery Rhymes can be great teachers, and not just for kids. Many are not aware that the origins of many nursery rhymes were based in the monarchies when people did not have free speech and would create parodies of political situations hidden in the subtext. The great fact about many stories and parables is that they can be timeless, and so many of them are still apropos. So what can Humpty Dumpty teach us today? Humpty Dumpty Sat On A Wall How often do kids get in trouble for fibbing, manipulation of the truth or outright lies, and how serious are the...

(I will return to Your Body Is Not a Disneyland in my next post.) What a truly inspiring week for the sum of humanity who witnessed the miraculous rescue of the Chilean miners. Whether one was involved personally or was riveted to the television, this event went a long way to redefining how we can all witness a news event as a positive outcome and challenge us to seek a more peaceful world. And my being an On-Air consultant to CNN Networks during their climb to earth was a once in a lifetime gift. Perhaps the most synchronous part was that the...

So, it’s been a few weeks, and I hope you did your homework that I provided in my last post. I, too, have continued to pay attention to what I have seen and the sexual innuendo on various media sites goes from the very subtle to the obvious. The question I have is, “How many of us actively look at this and discriminate the content we are viewing and how that content affects our attitudes, emotions and beliefs?” Even more, how does that content affect our kids? Get Slinky I would like to provide you with a few examples that I have...