Author Archives: oliverakel

Never did I ever think I would say this, but – – –  I’m embarrassed for our military. I’m embarrassed for our country. I’m embarrassed for all our elected and appointed officials who, for so long, have displayed such ineptitude. I’m embarrassed for the men and women who fought and died with the mistaken beliefContinue reading “On Embarrassment”

In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to prop up a Marxist regime which had taken power the year before.  Over nine years later, having spent over $200 billion, and suffered 15,000 troop fatalities, 35,000 wounded, having incurred substantial material losses, and having killed between 600,000 and 2 million Afghanis, they exited the country, leavingContinue reading “On Afghanistan”

When the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) was agreed in 2015, I was originally quite supportive. I naively believed two things: Iran would use the released funds for the good of their own people. Iran would see the value of inclusion in the world community of nations and forswear its nuclearContinue reading “On Iran”

Probably the most important and consequential act we perform in this country is casting our votes in our elections. Americans seem to agree as over 155 million, a new record, voted in 2020. Voting is our right, our obligation and a privilege that must be seriously contemplated and responsibly exercised. It is not something weContinue reading “On Voting”

I hesitate to read newspapers anymore. It is getting really depressing. We seem to go out of our way to convince ourselves that we have morphed into a country that is fundamentally rotten. For too many our history is saturated with evil deeds that must be erased from our collective memories – – – andContinue reading “On America”

I have long been in favor of capitalism, free enterprise, and the right to keep as much of your earnings as legally possible. Honest efforts and real contributions should always be recognized and tangibly compensated. America has grown strong and accomplished on the backs of those who have worked long and hard and have comeContinue reading “On Corporate America”

There used to be a United States of America.  It was at a time when the American people worked together, sacrificed together, achieved together and rejoiced together. That august body, in a short two hundred years, had developed into the premier political, social and economic miracle, a powerhouse for good, honored and respected the world over.Continue reading “On Where is America”

It is no surprise to anyone that America faces many challenges today: from Pandemic recovery, to economic revival, to border control, to exterior challenges from the likes of China and Iran. One would hope that these are the things on which our government is laser-focused. It bothers me that our Federal and some of ourContinue reading “On Bathrooms”

America has had many heroes in its history, there are many still today. Countless ordinary individuals from every walk of life voluntarily put themselves in harm’s way for others; a soldier jumps on a grenade to save his buddies; a passerby dives into a river to rescue a stranger. These are the selfless heroes. TheyContinue reading “On Heroes”

It is no great revelation that protests in America have gotten way out of hand, leaving many with a pretty dim view of protests in general. That’s a pity. The first amendment of the constitution clearly states “Congress shall make no law respecting – – – – abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;Continue reading “On Protests”