Richard Ian Porter

Category: Politics

  • There’s much to remember on this memorial day.

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    Richard
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    Yes it’s about our departed fallen brothers and sisters in the military. Yes it’s about the gold star families that carry on somehow, even without them. Yes, it truly should also be about the world we all work to try to build on their sacrifice. Because “the dead are the only ones who have seen…

  • Why are all the artists men, daddy? (Happy International womens day 2022)

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    Richard
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    “Why are all the artists and composers men, daddy?” “Can I really ask for a starting salary that high?” “Would a man take credit for this work?” Women are wonderful and powerful – first as humans they deserve respect, equality and inclusion. And they do NOT yet get it. It is up to us, all…

  • Ukraine fights for us all

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    Richard
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    It feels very strange to be observing the war that Russia has imposed on Ukraine by its invasion. I am very sorry for the people in Ukraine and I wish them great luck, strength, courage, and success in defending their homes and their people. I don’t have anything earth shattering or new to add to…

  • On the other hand… I’m grateful.

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    Richard
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    I am grateful to have been born, to have become a Marine, to have become a veteran and to have met the fine people in those endeavors that I have. My service in the Marine Corps seems inevitable in retrospect. It is consistent with and core to who I am. I have a lot to…

  • Oh, Happy (X) Day

    Oh, Happy (X) Day

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    Richard
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    My birthday is rapidly approaching, so is the Marine Corps birthday and veteran’s day. This used to be kind of fun. Now it feels very depressing. “Happy birthday! Happy veteran’s day! Happy Marine Corps birthday! Thank you for your service!” When I observe most people saying this I feel they do so from a self-serving…

  • As Afghans suffer

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    Richard
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    I tweeted this, this morning.  Now I have some time, the baby is in bed, my wife and daughter are watching olympic gymnastics and I’ve hidden myself in the office to write some.  From reports I see linked to from twitter things in Afghanistan have gone from bad to worse. Much worse. It appears a…

  • Interpersonal Violence and Statistics

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    Richard
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    Its strange how the relationship we have with death caused by interpersonal violence is so different from deaths caused other ways – I think it has to do with a feeling helplessness. If there is something we care about, we have to refuse to give in to helplessness, we have to dare mightily and refuse…

  • Veterans Day: Don’t thank us, join us

    Veterans Day: Don’t thank us, join us

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    Richard
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    On this Veterans’ Day, like on previous, I call on you, my fellow citizen, not to thank us Veterans. I call on you to join us. Serve your nation and your fellow citizens, help protect and safeguard them. We are at war with a deadly Pandemic. It is killing more Americans per day than any…

  • Cyber Security is a Team Sport

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    Richard
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    Cyber Security is a team sport. And it doesn’t have to be a dull compliance ridden affair with death by powerpoint, click-through web based training and mindless acceptance of each and every concept by rote. I just absolutely blazed through Cory Doctrow’s Little Brother novel series including the latest (potentially stand-alone more adult- focused) Attack…

  • Vote. Or watch it all Die.

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    Richard
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    This is how Democracies die. Republics too. You need to vote. All of your family, your friends, your neighbors need to vote. We all need to vote for Joe Biden and the Democrats. It’s not perfect. It’s one of our last chances to salvage this without more violence.