“Otherism:” What Place Does It Have? Aaron ParrottLike many fellow Havok Journal readers, I count as part of my military career a certain amount of what I have come to term “otherism”. Otherism is, simply, the conscious and willful separation between groups of people based on a characteristic. Recently, in view of other life experiences and especially in terms of political … [Read more...]
Clinton, Trump, and Our Willingness to Self-Delude and Play the Victim
first published in September 2017.This week has offered some poignantly clear examples of the general public’s ability to view the world with blinders that conveniently shield them from anything that may upset their sensibilities.In the first and most obvious case we have Hillary Clinton herself, who has shamelessly shifted blame of her loss in the presidential … [Read more...]
How To Talk To Your Kids About September 11th
How To Talk To Your Kids About September 11th by Justina BahrainSeptember 11th is a date none of us will forget but that many of our children know little about. That day and its aftermath are important parts of our history that we want to share with our children but may hesitate to do since it is a scary thought for adults let alone the delicate minds of our children. Here … [Read more...]
Everything You Need To Know About Rangers
Everything You Need To Know About Rangers by Marty Skovlund first published on 8 September 2016Assuming you haven’t been living under a rock for the past year or so, you probably know that a handful of female officers made history by graduating the U.S. Army’s prestigious Ranger School and that one female Soldier tried (and failed) to join the Ranger Regiment.You may … [Read more...]
The Nurse Who Wouldn’t Draw (First) Blood
By Kevin Wilson This article was first published in September 2017.By now, you’ve all likely seen the video of the nurse in Utah who got arrested for refusing to let a cop draw blood from an unconscious patient. Just about everyone and their brother has dissected the video down to the microscopic level, analyzing every last detail trying to find some way to interpret it to … [Read more...]
The Failed War on Drugs
It is difficult to write these words.But the War on Drugs has been a colossal failure.Recently reflecting on my own participation in this war, as a retired federal agent who was assigned to several counter-narcotics units with the FBI and NYPD during a 25-year law enforcement career, I recently stumbled upon a reckoning.No, it wasn’t just my binge-watching of … [Read more...]
8 Tips for Flag and National Anthem Etiquette
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation when he remained seated for the National Anthem during a preseason game on August 26, 2016. The discussion points are many: patriotism, race and racism in America, free speech, and even leadership. On Labor Day and every day, remember these eight points on Flag and national anthem … [Read more...]
Don’t Tell Me How To Do My Job: A Law Enforcement Officer’s Perspective
I don’t know anything about cars. When something goes wrong with mine or it needs service I take it to a mechanic. Like most people, when I get the oil changed and the service technician comes out and asks me if I want a new air filter for my flux capacitor I flip a coin in my head and make a decision based from that.It wouldn’t make any sense for me to walk into the … [Read more...]
Should Veterans Be Banned From College Campuses?
This article was first published in August 2017.Dear Terry,I had the opportunity to read your essay, Should Veterans Be Banned from UCCS and Other Universities. It made me smile as I sipped my morning coffee and I felt a glow of pride brighten my day. Isn’t it wonderful that we live in a country where all of us are free to express our opinions in a public forum? Where … [Read more...]
Antifa Is Not Your Friend
Antifa Is Not Your Friend By Clayton RushmoreAntifa isn’t anyone’s friend. You think they show up to protests to protect you? Nope. And it doesn’t even matter what side you’re on.The leaderless collective of self-styled, anti-fascists isn’t the left’s friend, even though since Charlottesville the left has tried to protect them from criticism, casting them as the … [Read more...]