Big Sky Writer

Through an examination of key biblical passages, the article delves into the concepts of sin, judgment, and the redemptive power of faith in Jesus Christ. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Click on the player above to listen to the podcast or read the transcript below.The national debt has soared over $34.6 trillion dollars positioning the U.S. as the record holder for the greatest national debt in human history. This monumental debt grows by approximately a trillion dollars every 100 days, signaling a potential crisis for our economy. But don’t worry, our politicians have a solution — spend, and spend, and spend some more. What could possibly go wrong?Most of us work hard for our money. Then the government (federal, state, local, and special districts) takes a big chunk of our money from us, in order to spend it on what they feel are meaningful and worthwhile projects. In this episode of Big Sky Writer, I thought it would be instructive to see how the government has chosen to spend some of your money by looking at one project at a time. This episode is titled:Bye, Bye, KittyThe National Institute of Health (NIH) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and serves as the nation’s premier medical research agency. It is the largest source of funding for medical research worldwide.One project that was highlighted by critics way back in 2022, involved more than $770,000 (remember, that was your money) being given to the Pavlov Institute of Physiology in St. Petersburg, Russia.They wanted to study the “neuronal network over the spinal cord, so they came up with a nifty little experiment.They took 18 healthy cats, removed portions of their brain, implanted electrodes in their spines, then forced them to walk on a treadmill for spinal cord experiments. When the experiments were completed, the cats were killed and dissected.Some people were upset about the treatment of the cute kitties. Some were upset about sending $700,000 to a Russian group when the U.S. and Russia were on the verge of war. Some were upset because they felt the entire process was unethical, unproductive, and too secretive.I’m pretty sure no one asked you if you wanted your tax dollars spent this way. A government bureaucrat made the decision, and your money was spent.“Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to pay white coats in the Russian government to torture and kill cats in wasteful treadmill experiments.”Mackie Burr, Vice President of the White Coat Waste Project.This is just one very “small” expense for a government that spends trillions of dollars on a regular basis. You probably know, there here is an election coming up in a few months. Perhaps you ought to make it clear to your politicians (they sometimes actually listen to you during a campaign season) that you want them to stop spending.Resources“Federal Government Paid to Study Cats on Russian Treadmills” by Tristan Justice. The Federalist, June 1, 2023.“NIH Funds ‘Deadly’ Cat Experiments in State-Run Russian Lab” The Catnip Times.“Congress Pushes NIH to Cut Funds For Russian Cat Lab Exposed by WCW” by Maryann Hussey, White Coat Waste Project, September 21, 2022.“Exclusive — NIH Funds ‘Deadly’ Cat Experiments in State-Run Russian Lab” by Katherine Hamilton, Breitbart, Mar 2, 2022. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Sometimes we need a break from all the serious problems impacting our lives and our country. That’s what I’m doing today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

I love springtime in Montana.Blue skies, sunshine, forests, and mountains.For those of you who are trying to scrape t a living in a big city, full of concrete, smog and cars, you can’t imagine what you are missing.So I thought you might enjoy this This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father of the United States, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a physician, politician, social reformer, humanitarian, and educator, known for his contributions to the American Enlightenment and for his advocacy for the abolition of slavery and universal public education. Rush believed that religion, as described in the New Testament, was the key source of moral guidance needed in the citizens of a republic.“the only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.”Benjamin Rush, Of the Mode of Education Proper in a Republic, 1789Epilogue: Securing the Republic: Benjamin Rush, Of the Mode of Education Proper in a Republic (uchicago.edu) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

“Truth has no defense against a fool determined to believe a lie.” Author unknownIf you have tried to talk about issues such as evoluation, climate change, abortion, vaccinations, or transgenderism, you will quickly learn that many people will refuse to listen to facts (i.e. truth) but only want to hear what they believe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

I love dentists.I know some people don’t feel that way about dentists, but I think my actions through the years have demonstrated that dentists have a special place in my heart. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

I don’t want anyone to feel even a twinge of jealousy, but I have a little confession to make — I just got back from Paris.You heard me right. Paris.Me.I went to Paris. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

“But if a man’s efficiency is not guided and regulated by a moral sense, then the more efficient he is the worse he is, the more dangerous to the body politic. ”Theodore Roosevelt, May 5, 1910 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Who do you trust?Which professions do you feel have a lot of people who are honest and ethical? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Personal phones are part of our daily lives. But there are some unintended consequences in depending so heavily on technology. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Clint shares his personal account of working in a recovery ward at the 91st Evacuation Hospital for a short time during the Vietnam War.The piece highlights poignant interactions with two memorable patients — one recovering from a gunshot wound and another battling a severe infection known as "jungle rot." Integral to the story are the "Donut Dollies," young women from the Red Cross who brought comfort and a touch of home to the troops. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

In case you haven’t noticed, Artificial Intelligence - AI - is here. Now I was able to see a lot of AI being used in various fields when I was at CES a couple of weeks ago.AI is going to transform our workplaces, our schools, our homes, and our lives. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

It’s good to consider words about bravery from people who have faced real challenges.General Omar N. Bradley is one such person. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

During my time at the aid station, Doc provided extensive training to prepare me for medical scenarios, both there and in the field.I was feeling good about what I had learned, but Doc knew I needed more experiences.To get those experiences, he arranged for me to receive additional training at the 91st Evacuation Hospital in Chu Lai. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

I was walking with my friend the other day. I was hoping we would take our time so we could enjoy the beauty of the area, but he seemed to be in a hurry and I had to work hard just to keep up with him.“Can you slow down a little bit?” I asked.He didn’t slow down. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Last week I was in Las Vegas attending the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES.CES is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center which is one of the largest convention centers in the world. That’s a good thing because there were over 4,000 exhibitors and more than 120,000 attendees. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Theodore Roosevelt's "Citizenship in a Republic" speech, delivered at the Sorbonne in Paris in 1910, highlights the importance of character and discipline over mere brilliance in a republic's citizens. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

Well, it’s over.Usually, the celebration lasts much longer than it did this year, but there’s no mistaking the fact that it is finally over. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com

In a short government report issued during the Regan Administration, the Department of Education described the state of public education in America.It was not a pretty picture. The failures of the American educational system were easy to identify and so detrimental to the future of America that the report indicated … “If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war. As it stands we have allowed this to happen to ourselves.”A Nation at Risk, 1983It’s important to note that this report was issued 40 years ago. Have our schools improved since that report was released? Or have we gotten worse? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clintmorey.substack.com