(Palm-Print
Photo by Edward F. Palm)

About Me

My photo
Forest, Virginia, United States
A long time ago, my sophomore English teacher, Father William Campbell, saw something in my writing and predicted that I would someday become a newspaper columnist. He suggested the perfect title for my column--"Leaves of the Palm." Now that I have a little extra time on my hands I've decided to put Father Campbell's prediction to the test. I'm going to start using this blog site not just to reprint opinion pieces I've published elsewhere but to try to get more of my ideas and opinions out there. Feedback is welcome. To find out more about me, please check out my Web site: www.EdwardFPalm.com (Click on any of the photos below for an enlarged view.)

Saturday, September 22, 2012

A Palm Sampler

This time around, I decided to address a few topics that have been on my mind of late.  --EFP
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/sep/22/ed-palm-bits-and-pieces-from-palm/

Friday, September 14, 2012

Obama as Muslim Sleeper Agent?

I heard on MSNBC today that the current turmoil in the Middle East has reignited the Obama birther controversy, especially among those who think he is a Muslim Manchurian-candidate-type sleeper agent intent on destroying America.  Ask yourself, would a Muslim sleeper-agent go by a Muslim name?
       Still, I could wish that Obama would take a more militant stance toward the current attacks on our embassies and consulates.  I was particularly concerned to hear one demonstrator quoted as saying that the demonstrations would continue until everyone involved in the making of the that anti-Muslim film is punished.  Obama needs to make clear, in no uncertain terms, that we are not going to apologize for, and will defend, our core values, especially freedom of expression.  The problem is that we are dealing with the force of ignorance--with people who can't conceive of a separation of church and state and who consider divergent points of view to be an affront to their beliefs.  Frankly, I don't know what the solution is in the Middle East, but I think there is a lesson  in all this for our religious right.   --EFP 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Pro-Theocracy Movements


Ever since Vietnam, it seems that our foreign policy has consisted of one part reality and three parts wishful thinking.  Case in point:  characterizing the turmoil in the Middle East as “pro-democracy movements.”  I fear that what we  are witnessing are actually pro-theocracy movements.  

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Cartoons for Our Times

Here is my latest column.  Berke Breathed, where are you now that we need you?  --EFP

Utility Uniforms Don't Show Combat Service

Bremerton is replete with military spiritualists.  This column struck a nerve with some of them.  http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/aug/24/ed-palm-utility-uniforms-dont-show-combat/  --EFP
I later added this postscript:
When I was an enlisted Marine--1965-1969--we were not allowed to wear blue jeans on base. Back then the leadership of the Corps considered blue jeans to be the mark of juvenile delinquency. --S/f, EFP