By Donald B. Ardell – 08.18.13

Introduction: A Not Unrealistic Scenario

Imagine visiting or worse, being hospitalized as a patient in a medical center wherein women had to wear burkas, prayers were heard on intercoms, health professionals and others ritually reminded...

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By Donald B. Ardell – 07.19.13

Introduction: Best Deal of the Afterlifetime

The church's Crazy Uncle role in society is great fun for secularists. However, Church doctrine is taken quite seriously by the devout, fervent majority of Catholics. 

The latest manifestation of the Catholic Church's Crazy Uncle tradition is an offer of time...

 

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By Donald B. Ardell – 07.11.13

Introduction

Another 4th of July holiday has passed. The parades are over now, the fireworks have gone out, the bands have disbursed and the flags have been put away. Everyone with jobs is back at them. For most, I suppose the holiday was good fun. “God bless America,” but don’t hold your breath....

Perhaps there should be a debriefing after such a holiday. Did we learn anything new about our national independence?  

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By Donald B. Ardell - 06.27.13

We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err because this is more comfortable. Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Introduction

I’m more or less a nice person. I try not to hurt people’s feelings. But, it is nearly impossible not to channel my inner Lewis Black when I encounter people who believe maniacal lunacies. How can seemingly sane people, unsupervised adults...

 

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By Donald B. Ardell - 06.23.13

Caveat emptor: This essay is intended only for an adult audience of critical thinkers fond of and disposed to applied reason. The author assumes no responsibility for the validity of his opinions, whether partially or completely baked, which may or may not reflect the views of the AWR, its headquarters staff...

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By Donald B. Ardell - 06.16.13

Introduction: Four Questions

Should you trust your doctor? Is the medical system organized and controlled by the modern equivalent of highway robbers? What can we learn from the way colonoscopies are promoted and priced in America? What is the single most important takeaway lesson from a brief exploration of these questions?

Here are short answers to the first three of these rhetorical queries. I'm saving a response to the last...

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