Bennett R. Coles's Blog, page 4
October 4, 2012
Morality in War
Date: 2012-10-04
What moral obligation do soldiers have in war? This is a tricky question, and one which I considered more than once during my fifteen years in uniform. There are many perspectives, and some can be equally valid even when they diametrically oppose one another. But is there a single, undeniable answer that applies to all? Is there a fundamental truth behind the morality of war?
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
August 30, 2012
Remembering Neil Armstrong - an old-fashioned kind of hero
Date: 2012-08-29
When I heard that Neil Armstrong had died, I was struck with a small sadness. Not because of any dependency my life (or quality of life) might have had on him, nor because of any active role he currently played on the world stage. I was sad in a small way simply because I now will never get the chance, no matter how remote it might ever have been, to meet him and shake his hand...
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
August 14, 2012
some worthwhile advice on self-publishing
http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2...
And if, afterward, you're still thinking about self-publishing, visit this site:
www.promontorypress.com
These guys are the real deal.
August 5, 2012
Mayhem, Mistakes and Mastering the Motorway
Date: 2012-08-05
So, this whole driving on the wrong side of the road thing: where was I? Oh yes, the Devon country roads so narrow and twisting they could have been a Tea Party policy seminar, with ten-foot high hedgerows crowding in on either side. The likelihood of instant death seemed as high to me as if I was a motorized courier in the Somme trenches, where artillery shells (or, in this case, an oncoming car) could randomly drop in on my position and thoroughly ruin my day.
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
August 3, 2012
Indie Publishing is not "cheating"
Well worth a read for anyone thinking about publishing a book:
http://www.pagespineficshowcase.com/p...
July 20, 2012
Danger, Daring and Driving in Devon
Date: 2012-07-20
One of the reasons we travel to other countries is to enjoy experiences that are different from our regular day-to-day. This statement might conjure images of mysterious mountain temples shrouded in mists, sparkling azure surf rolling onto white sand beaches, or ancient tribal dances conducted under savannah stars. But today I’d like to tell you about a recent experience that might sound mundane, but which brings with it thrills, chills and a profound respect for another culture: driving on the wrong side of the road.
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
June 15, 2012
Teacher gets suspended for giving zeroes - WTF?
Date: 2012-06-15
We stood in grim silence, twenty naval officers in two ranks of ten. Plastic, yellow rain pants and tattered headbands were all we wore, except for marks of camouflage paint smeared over our cheeks. Warm wind teased our bare skin under the starry sky, and below us we could hear the gentle rush of the ocean breaking against the bow of our warship. From the shadows came a steady barrage of catcalls and insults, broken only by the occasional water balloon.
Our latitude was approximate zero degrees and ten minutes north, and the venerable maritime tradition of Crossing the Line – when Tadpoles become Shellbacks – was at hand. In a world of lawsuits, scandals and political correctness, the fact that the ceremony of crossing the equator was even permitted is startling. Even more startling might be that – as I stood half-naked, soaked and singled out with my nineteen companions – I was ecstatic to be there.
Let’s compare this scenario to what’s currently playing out in Edmonton, Alberta. In a certain school, apparently the principal has decreed a “no-zero” policy for marks, meaning that teachers can’t give zeros for any assignment, quiz or test, even the student submits nothing, skips the quiz, of hands in a blank test sheet. The argument is that to receive a zero would hurt the dignity of the poor student, thus crushing their self-esteem and drawing them into a spiraling abyss of underperformance.
To read more, please visit Life as a Human.
May 20, 2012
Publishing these days
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05...
May 16, 2012
Tastes, Treats and Moments of Terror in Thailand
Date: 2012-05-16
It’s always an adventure to eat in foreign countries. Strange smells, curious colours, tantalizing tastes. (And, occasionally, uncomfortable gastronomic conditions which go by many colourful names but my favourite is from Syria, where I got to experience a bathroom-related temporary condition which the locals called “yallah yallah” meaning, literally, “quickly quickly”.) But lately I’ve spent a lot of time in Thailand. There are many pleasant surprises for the foodie in this tropical kingdom.
Read more at Life as a Human
May 4, 2012
vote for Virtues of War
Best Sci-Fi Books with Female Main Characters
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/25...
Best Independent Novels
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/12...
Many thanks for your support!
BRC
