Tag Archives: James L’Etoile
The Participation Trophy Generation
When did it become the standard to do just enough mediocre work to get through the day? A recent outing, away from the protective bubble I call home, reinforced a belief I’ve held for a while. An entire generation of helicopter parenting and participation trophies started a crack in the very fabric of our society. If […]
#Whose Lives Matter?
#Whose Lives Matter? That debate seems to drive blood pressure and rhetoric from every corner. And, frankly, I’m sick of it. #BlackLivesMatter, #WhiteLivesMatter, #BlueLivesMatter… This isn’t about that past, or transgressions. This is about now. None of us is a special little snowflake. We all matter, or nobody matters.
Prison and Politics – Part III
The success of any criminal justice initiative is judged on outcome. You and I think in terms of safer communities and prisons. That seems reasonable, doesn’t it? Policies, programs and sentencing strategies all woven together to reduce crime and allow for safe prison operations. The problem with this idea is that politicians aren’t normal folk, […]
Prison and Politics – Part II
All societies operate within the rules, boundaries and limitations of a political framework, a culture. The prison culture is no different. There are rules on the inside and the keepers as well as the kept know them. These rules dictate how the prison will run, or how it will fall apart. The typical State Trooper […]
Prison and Politics – Part I
Prison and politics makes for strange bedfellows. I know what you’re thinking, more politicians should be in prison. I will not disagree with that notion, especially as we head into the election season. Pick your poison here, lying, backstabbing, socialist, fascist, egomaniac, there are politicians of every stripe to choose from. While I have my […]
You Want Me To Pin What?
Old Guys and Social Media are like sauerkraut and vanilla wafers. An unholy pairing at best and the thought of the two, together, is enough to give you the willies. Let me back up a moment. People of a certain age (there now, that’s a bit softer than slapping the geezer label on my forehead) […]
The Dark Side of Writing – The Synopsis
There is a great evil among us. This force of darkness fell upon the Earth long ago, the exact origin is shrouded in legends of mystery and fear. It seeks out the weak and the vulnerable, waiting for the moment to strike down its prey with a crushing blow. The victim often survives, but is […]
Forgive Me Twitter, For I Have Sinned
Bless me Twitter for I have sinned. *Pulls curtain closed* It has been years since my last confession… I have used the bluebird’s name in vein, I have unfollowed people, coveted another’s tweet and retweeted a post from my timeline without reading it. There, I said it. I am a social media sinner. Let me back […]
A 12 Step Approach to Procrastination
Procrastination is an addiction. “Oh, I can do that tomorrow,” or “I’ve got plenty of time left to get that project done,” are the Procrastination Addict’s go-to excuses for putting off the inevitable. Procrastination is an insidious disease, an infliction that begins in our early years, when we were tardy for that god forsaken math class. […]
Who’s Living Under Your Bridge?
Bridges and those who dwell under them. Bridges are strange little things, when you stop and take a moment to consider them. Bridges force you to take a narrow path, over some (usually man-made) inconvienence to get to that special place you need to go. The route is direct, quick and utterly devoid of character […]
James L'Etoile 