Category Archives: Idle Ruminations

A graceful exit

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Jim

The recent announcement of General Motors plant closings brought back memories of my career with Illinois Bell. During my 22 years at the company, sweeping changes in technology and the court-ordered breakup of AT&T resulted in serial downsizing. During my … Continue reading →

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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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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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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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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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My stuttering family reunion

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Jim

Last week I spent four days reconnecting with an extended family of 700 people at the annual conference of the National Stuttering Association. This is the world’s largest organization for people who stutter with about 150 local support groups, educational … Continue reading →

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Confessions of a Civil War addict

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Jim

A couple of weeks ago I spent a few hours hiking around the Civil War site of the Battle of Glorieta Pass, which ended an ill-conceived Confederate invasion of New Mexico in 1862. Last year I attended a Civil War … Continue reading →

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Self-driving cars and Darwin

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Jim

Self-driving cars are in the news these days as the technology starts to gel and businesses begin to make strategic investments. It’s certainly an exciting breakthrough. Self-driving cars have the potential to reduce traffic jams and use the road system … Continue reading →

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What democracy looks like

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Jim

Democracy is a fighting word these days. The latest political brawl is over charges that selection of delegates to the Democratic and Republican conventions is undemocratic. Voters in both parties are angry because they believe the Establishment (whoever that is) … Continue reading →

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