William Tecumseh Sherman was a fascinating guy, and with his friend and boss US Grant, was one of the most talented practitioners of modern, total war. We probably spend too little time studying what he said about war, despite everyone quoting him. The fact is, he has a lot to say that is terrifyingly relevant. […]

Author’s Note: I had a great dream – did not want to wake up… My Muse working at it, as sailors you perhaps might appreciate this. Arrias & His Muse: Mermaid Naked she sits upon a large, flat rock, Perched on a tropic shore, Off shore, waves pound the reef, Serenaded by the sea’s distant roar. […]

Many moons ago, I recall being overseas – I think I was in the desert – and my mom and dad called me and told me about one of my nephews, I think he was probably 10 or 11 years old at the time. Mom and dad were so pleased I thought they might burst: […]

The Bard of Culpeper, A’lyin’ in his bed, Leg up, nasty wounds must heal, He has crafted a benign tale, But the truth we must reveal! A treacherous attack, a cur with a blade, The Chairman fights back in the dark! A wound in the leg, another in his chest, Before the dogs could even […]

Author’s Note: A quarter of a million $$$ for a Javelin… The war in Ukraine, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, grinds on. Tragic scenes keep repeating themselves. Even as they have, apparently, solved the immediate problem of getting Ukraine’s grain out of Odessa. Meanwhile, the US keeps sending weapons to Ukraine, which, all things being […]

Author’s Note: 50+ years… We should already be to Saturn’s Moons… We should be mining methane off of Uranus and Neptune… – Arrias Arrias and His Muse: 50 years and More On a magnificent pillar of fire, With a mighty rumble and a roar, They raced into the heavens above, Carrying mans most basic desire. […]

Author’s Note: The recent statement by the Iranians… I think we are headed to something unpleasant… Arrias: What Next? Today, Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council for Foreign Policies and a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, announced that Iran has enriched uranium to 60% and “we can easily produce 90% enriched […]

There is a theme that runs through much of academia that says that if we create a world of economic interdependence we shall have peace. Rather than a nation striving to build all those things it needs and hence ensuring independence for core goods and services, nations should instead take advantage of costs and comparative […]

It isn’t easy to be an American. The sometimes contentious proceedings in 1787 that eventually yielded our Constitution were behind closed doors (and windows). But the people were very much interested. When the prolonged debate concluded and Benjamin Franklin walked out of the Philadelphia State House he was asked by Mrs. Elizabeth Powel: “Well, Doctor, […]

Weather suited news, both were grim and gray, Wars dragged on, famine and cholera loom, Gray cloaks hug green giants, we approach a new day, Nuclear tension, are we approaching doom? The morning warms, the trees shed their gray cloaks, But the dire news did not get much better, Politicians shift blame, but problems are […]