Letters From Home
Christianity and Capitalism
Son, Is there a conflict between Christianity and Capitalism. I rather think that these philosophical elements make a nice marriage. This country was founded on two basic principles. The Pilgrims at Plymouth were seeking religious refuge. The tradesmen at Jamestown were seeking economic prosperity. Today we marry these ideologies – the product is a prosperous […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Mistakes in parenting
Son, I feel a little embarrassed about giving advice on parenting. Your mother and I were talking last week and we both felt that our children turned out pretty well – in spite of us. I talk today about acting out of love – but that was not really my style. I was a parent […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Protecting children from themselves.
Son, Parenting is difficult. Your sister was in the Rainbow Honors Program in elementary school. When she was preparing for middle school she told me that she no longer wanted to be in the honors program. I asked, “Why not.” “Well”, she said in her 12 year old wisdom, “I don’t have enough time to […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Protecting children from themselves. | Continued
My daughter doesn’t want to go to school…
Dad, My daughter didn’t want to go to school today. She was screaming for me when I left. I was crushed, but I know that she enjoys school. She is discovering that this thing is for good, i think, and she wants to came home and hang out with her brother and I. It is […]
11Sep2007 | bryan | 3 comments | Continued
George W. Bush Presidential Library
Son, People can be funny, creative, facetious and sarcastic. Our local newspaper has a column called “It’s your call.” They allow people to call in and leave comments. There is little editing and the column gets heavy criticism from local officials. Today there is a clever comment: How about putting the George Bush Presidential Library […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on George W. Bush Presidential Library | Continued
the politics of the modern crusades…
Dad I am a Democrat today because I cannot subscribe to the politics of the modern crusades. I have, in the past, been afraid to state a political position or defend a political candidate. I have also been reluctant to attack a public figure for fear that I might find in my heart that I […]
11Sep2007 | bryan | 2 comments | Continued
Pit Bulls and Republicans
Son, The attack dogs are breeding. The muffling process of the Primaries disguises the Machiavellian mentality of self proclaimed leaders. Only restricted by fear that they might harm their pack, the Republicans are frustrated. They are off stride. The Democrats are well ahead in the money game. An unpopular President George Bush holds the leash […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Pit Bulls and Republicans | Continued
a virtual fireside chat…
the fireside chat -episode 001 Dad, Hey, it’s our first podcast! I think the reference to the original fireside chats of FDR is apropriate, since the radio was his tool to create a sense of closeness with his audience. It worked, and it seems we have come in a virtual full circle. From writing to […]
11Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on a virtual fireside chat… | Continued
Liberals and Conservatives
Son, We have received comments from both the left and the right. My observation is that both are irrational. The left present themselves as more witty, more creative, more interesting. The right presented themselves as angry, frustrated, attacking, and belligerent. Such is life. Dad
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Liberals and Conservatives | Continued
My Opinion on Convictions
Son, I admire your determination. Opinions are the fodder of intellect, just academic talk until applied. Conviction is the result of integrating opinion with life experience. Our life experience will test our opinions – if we come out the other side with the same opinion then we call it conviction. We know many things – […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on My Opinion on Convictions | Continued
Opinions vs. Convictions
Dad, I think that convictions get muddled because they get confused with opinions. The difference lies in action and inaction. if we sit around the table in your living room and sip coffee and talk about feeding the hungry or staying out of debt, then that conversation is founded in opinion. If we cut up […]
10Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on Opinions vs. Convictions | Continued
Bush says ‘Never!’ how smart is that
Son, I know a lot of people my age who, over time, have violated their own principles. They said “NEVER!” They were wrong. They were wrong to say never and they were wrong to violate their own principles. “Never” is a word that denies our own humanness. George double-u Bush is one of those folks […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Say Never
Dad, I don’t like that phrase “never say never.” I hear that a lot. My wife and I will never borrow any money again. I said it. We will never get divorced. I said it again. I will never inject myself with anything that isn’t prescribed. Man, I am on a roll. I believe that […]
10Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on Say Never | Continued
Voting for Republicans…
Son, I voted for one Republican for President – and he quit. I have never voted for another. I was conflicted in 1980. I did not like the choices. I voted for the independent John Anderson. I have difficulty imagining the circumstances that would convince me to vote for any Republican for any national office. […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Ike Skelton asks one question…
Son, Ike Skelton states he will ask but one question, calling himself a country lawyer and qualifying that the leadership of Iraq appear “to be sitting on their thumbs…” So, “Mr. Ambassador, why should we expect the next six months to be any different?” Ambassador Crocker, “These are extremely complex endeavors…it is going to be […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Ike Skelton asks one question… | Continued
Yes To Healthy Dialogue – No to This Administration
Dad – I am still under the assumption that all dialogue serves us well, but that some people probably should be removed from the conversation in order to keep it rolling. It is complicated, yes, and we should approach our international situation with care. I have spent the last few years learning how to act, […]
10Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on Yes To Healthy Dialogue – No to This Administration | Continued
Ambassador Crocker Continues…
Son, Ambassador Crocker says, “Iraqis are struggling to come to terms with a society that does not punish…I believe that Iraq’s leaders have the will to face the challenges before them…they approach the task with a deep sense of patriotism…The commitment of Iraq’s leaders to work on these issues is encouraging…Iraqi Provincial gains have been […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Ambassador Crocker Continues… | Continued
Ambassador Ryan Crocker, on ‘the surge’
Son, United States Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, is giving testimony to the Congress. He just said, “Iraq continues to be a traumatized society.” Well, I guess he might be right. Dad
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Ambassador Ryan Crocker, on ‘the surge’ | Continued
Patreus is calling for a drawdown of troops
Son, General Patreus has just called for a ‘drawdown’ in U.S. Troops in Iraq. He is trying to explain what he means – I am getting confused with all of the details. That is the problem. This is a complicated issue with huge consequences…. Now Patreus is reiterating the dire consequences of a rapid retreat…. […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Patreus is calling for a drawdown of troops | Continued
Listening to General Patreus
Son, I am listening to General Patreus right now. The hearing opened with partisan statements by two Democrats and two Republicans. I wish those folks would just keep their faces shut so we can hear what the man has to say. They already threw several protesters out of the hearing – the partisan showmanship should […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
The question – What did I learn from my Dad
Son, In an earlier post I recounted an experience with my father. I was robbed, he reacted with anger and violence. I asked in the post, “What did I learn?” The post was titled “1963 – parenting in a tough world.” It is only with forty-five years of processing that I can answer the question. […]
9Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The question – What did I learn from my Dad | Continued
Enabling Our Children to Fail
Son, Please forgive me. You mentioned in an earlier post that you “…occasionally found myself in trouble.” I share in the fault. I will give you the notion that you were an adolescent, seeking independence and control of your own life. I will give you that adolescents make some bad choices. But I have to […]
9Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Enabling Our Children to Fail | Continued
Parenting, mythology and reality
Son, The Navy finished a job that I was unable to accomplish. You transitioned from an adolescent into a young man. Joseph Campbell might say this was a normal process. The mythology of parenting over the recorded history of man suggests, according to Campbell, that the mother and father each have roles, but the village […]
9Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Parenting, mythology and reality | Continued
Getting Tools From My Dad
Dad, Thanks for all of your encouragement. You probably remember when I was in the Navy and I occasionally found myself in trouble. You probably remember because it lasted for a couple of years. When I decided to turn over a new leaf, it was hard because not everyone was convinced that I was different […]
8Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on Getting Tools From My Dad | Continued
1963 – Parenting in a tough world
Son, I was out collecting money from my paper route patrons. It was the week after John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. I was walking in the 1800 block of Felix Street when three older boys approached me; they were about 19 – I was 13. They told me to give them my money. I […]
8Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on 1963 – Parenting in a tough world | Continued
Finding Acceptance – The Beginnings of Discrimination
Son, Four year old children see the world as we do – but they do not have the same life experience. She goes to school and feels the nuances of acceptance and rejection. We are inherently social creatures and have a need for acceptance in a group. This need fits the category of survival instincts. […]
8Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Finding Acceptance – The Beginnings of Discrimination | Continued
Brevity in Small Packages
Dad, My daughter had been in school now for several weeks. She only does two days a week, but this is her first experience away from home. Yesterday, at breakfast, she told me that she didn’t want to go to school. “Its not all playing, Dad. We have to do group time, and singing songs.” […]
7Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on Brevity in Small Packages | Continued
Comments on Courage
Courage is not acting blindly – without regard to consequences. Courage is action on behalf of conviction – even knowing the consequences may be painful. We see courage in our everyday lives – people regularly sacrifice something of themselves for a higher cause.
7Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Comments on Courage | Continued
The pain of cultural frontiers
Son, You are exploring cultural frontiers. You have left the safe harbor of familiarity to seek new ideas about living. Like Lewis and Clark, you find fear and uncertainty. I admire your courage. What is courage, Son? When people act on their convictions, even knowing that there will be pain associated with their behavior, we […]
7Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
The Right to the Faith of Our Choice.
Fortunately for all of us – we have a government of laws, guided by a constitution. Keep your own faith and be active in the political process. Have faith that the world is actually getting better – some days it doesn’t feel like it – but humanity is progressing in the concept of civilization.
7Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Right to the Faith of Our Choice. | Continued
Fundamentalism: The Right To Be Wrong
Dad, I suppose that you are right, that mine is a family that would only be described as “non-traditional” by Focus on the Family. I don’t pretend to believe that they have a solid grasp on the traditions of family systems. I think that the danger of allowing the fundamentalist to paint the larger American […]
6Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on Fundamentalism: The Right To Be Wrong | Continued
Imposing Our Culture On Others
Son, Sometimes we are a little hard on contemporary Christian fundamentalists. We don’t like their aggressive evangelism – their attempts to force their culture on us. That is a statement of perspective – their perspective might be that they are trying to save us from going to hell. Christianity has as rich history of abusing […]
6Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Imposing Our Culture On Others | Continued
Non-traditional families – what is that?
Son, You note that yours is a ‘non-traditional’ family. I don’t quite get it. There is a loving, married, mother and father, a daughter and a son, all living under one roof. You and your spouse worry about the health, safety, and future of your family. The description of your family describes the traditional family […]
6Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Non-traditional families – what is that? | Continued
On being a Democrat
Son, You happen to live in a state that has a presidential primary. Thus there is a practical need to declare a party affiliation. I like your choice for the Democratic candidate – but like many others I have reservations. Like most others, I want the corruption of a very good government system to end. […]
6Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on On being a Democrat | Continued
So, I’m a Democrat…
Dad, I am becoming keenly aware that there are really three people that are involved in this blog. Me, you, and the reader. Unlike traditional letters, this form of communication is expressly public, and we embrace that difference so that others may benefit from the conversation that takes place here. I have changed the look, […]
5Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on So, I’m a Democrat… | Continued
A product of…well, you…
Dad, I have too many irons in the fire, so to speak. I like my life that way. I start projects often, and I am learning how to chip away at them until they start to take shape. I have three blogs, a podcast, two children with whom I am the primary care provider, six […]
4Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on A product of…well, you… | Continued
Have I overwhelmed my Son?
Son, As you know, I am an animated and verbose person. Those traits have served me and hindered me. I have used my personality to convey meaning, to articulate finer points, to debate, and to WIN. I fear that I have also used my wordiness to overwhelm, as a defense mechanism to keep others at […]
4Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Have I overwhelmed my Son? | Continued
All Politics is local – candidates for President
Son, Speaking of Social Security – who has the best plan? When Franklin D. Roosevelt came up with the idea he cleverly gave his plan a name that few could argue with. Who could argue with the idea of being socially secure – everyone wants that! Forty years later Lyndon B. Johnson added Medicare. Another […]
4Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on All Politics is local – candidates for President | Continued
Family Support
Son, I was at a Bantam League Football game yesterday, watching your nephew play. This is his first year of tackle football – he is in the third grade. Your Mom and older sister were there. We had a nice chat. Your younger sister and her husband just closed on a new house on Friday. […]
2Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Family Support | Continued
I think I’ll have a seat
Son – I have read your introductory entry. You have addressed the reader – so shall I. My son has asked me to write with him. With him, to him, at him – something, I’m not quite sure. I read his first post, the introduction to this blog. He said the purpose was not a […]
22Aug2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on I think I’ll have a seat | Continued
come on in. have a seat.
I believe that the hope with these articles is to document a journey of conversation that happens between two generations, a father and son, and to find a way to leverage that journey to make ourselves better; more thoughtful, more aware, more connected. You will find two remarkably similar writers and persons, and you will […]
21Aug2007 | bryan | 1 comment | Continued