Bourbon, a quintessentially American spirit, has a storied history that dates back to the late 18th century. Its origins are often traced to the settlers of present-day Kentucky, who brought their distilling techniques from Scotland, Ireland, and other European countries. The name “bourbon” is believed to be derived from the French House of Bourbon, though…
Who Is This Modern Man? by Donavon L Riley Who is this modern man? He is the one who has abandoned the river of his ancestors, forsaking the waters that nourished his fathers’ souls, the stream that carried their prayers to the heavens. He stands on the banks of history, scorning the liturgy of ages,…
George Washington’s Rye Whiskey® made the way George Washington made it. George Washington’s Rye Whiskey® is he official spirit of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Photo by George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Rye whiskey is a distinctive and historic spirit that has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Known for its bold, spicy flavor, rye…
“The Thinker in The Gates of Hell” at the Musée Rodin. Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / CC BY 2.0. Critical thinking is a fundamental skill in the intelligence cycle, which encompasses the processes of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information to support decision-making. In an era where information is abundant and often conflicting, the ability to…
“Le Penseur” (1904) in the Musée Rodin in Paris. Photo by CrisNYCa / CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped. During the classical period of Ancient Greece (5th to 4th century BC), the philosopher Plato (428–347 BC) noted that the teachings of Socrates (470–399 BC) are the earliest known records of what we now call critical thinking. In…
There Is No Other Path To Life by Donavon L Riley He believes himself free, but his hands are bound behind him. He believes himself progressing, but his steps circle backward. He believes he is chasing a vision, but the light blinds him. And while he chants his praise of inclusivity, he slams the door…
Menelaus and Meriones lifting Patroclus’ corpse on a cart while Odysseus looks on, Etruscan alabaster urn from Volterra, Italy, 2nd century BC Between 1500 B.C. and 1200 B.C., Greece was frequently engaged in wars with regional rivals, which led to the development of innovative military and intelligence strategies. The Greeks were masters of deception and intelligence, using cunning and strategic thinking to gain…
Activism Driven By Pride Burns Out by Donavon L Riley Activism is the restless child of a culture that cannot kneel. We rise with clenched fists and furrowed brows, determined to remake the world, as though its crooked lines could be straightened by our hands alone. We name problems, attach abstractions to particulars, and march…
Ninja historic illustration, Meiwa era, c. 1770. The ninja or shinobi, often depicted as shadowy figures of stealth and combat, were also deeply spiritual warriors. Their spiritual practices were integral to their training and way of life, providing them with mental clarity, emotional balance, and a profound connection to the natural world. Ninjutsu, the art of…
This Loud, Hollowed-Out World by Donavon L Riley News—what it should be, what it once was—has been smothered by a mountain of cheap tricks and chattering merchants. A teaspoon of truth, drowned in a pound of noise. Paul Craig Roberts calls it the “presstitute,” and the term, as ugly as it is, strikes like a…