Author Archives: Jim

Putting words in the boss’ mouth

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Jim

Writing has been central to my career, and writing executive speeches is part of my portfolio. I got my start as a speechwriter when the Bureau of Naval Personnel, in an uncharacteristic display of logic, matched my degree in journalism … Continue reading →

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Of suits and sandals

Posted on September 23, 2018 by Jim

I need a new suit. Usually a blazer or sports coat is as formal as I get for dress-up social occasions or the opera, but I have one good suit for weddings and funerals. I had not worn the suit … Continue reading →

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The Navy’s Chicago mafia

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Jim

The idea of the Navy reserve is to prepare sailors for mobilization by immersing them in the Navy experience one weekend a month. For reservists who live nowhere near a ship or air station, this means reporting in uniform to … Continue reading →

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The rise and fall of objective journalism

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Jim

We keep hearing from the punditocracy that President Trump’s conflict with the news media is an existential threat to freedom of the press. I’m not buying it. Conflict between government and the press is rooted in American history. No one … Continue reading →

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Surnames for Pyongyang

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Jim

There’s a lot of skepticism about President Trump’s negotiations with North Korea, and how difficult it will be to persuade the hermit kingdom to give up its nuclear weapons. But it may be possible if – IF – we offer … Continue reading →

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Election entertainment

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Jim

The silly season is here again. New Mexico’s primary election is June 5 and it’s quite a show. Two of the state’s three Congressional representatives, a Democrat and a Republican, are running to replace a term-limited governor. This makes the … Continue reading →

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Frank, Ernest and me

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Jim

Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois. Frank Lloyd Wright lived there. And so did I. Oak Park is a vintage suburb of Chicago that retains a small-town atmosphere despite a population of 50,000. Century-old buildings and tree-lined streets … Continue reading →

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Moving on up to Oak Park

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Jim

Note to readers: This exploration of my family history is primarily for my kids and kinfolk. I’m posting it in my blog because I’m too cheap to set up a separate website. If you are not among my relatives you … Continue reading →

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Working by the Western

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Jim

The place was legendary. Western Electric’s Hawthorne Works was the world’s largest telephone equipment factory: Five million square feet of floor space on 200 acres in the Chicago suburb of Cicero and 40,000 employees in its heyday. Western Electric was … Continue reading →

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Lessons in disruption

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Jim

I’m a big fan of disruption. It’s an acquired taste. But because virtually everything is being disrupted these days, from groceries to government, it’s something we should learn to appreciate. We often cheer disruption from a safe distance because overturning … Continue reading →

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