Fiction Writer Proposes Strategy to Cut Federal Budget? After reading my blogs, you’re probably wondering why is a fiction writer proposing a strategy to cut the federal budget? Well, in some ways the two go hand-in-hand. For two decades, now, … Continue reading →
In my last post, I indicated I had “de-sexed” SAX CLUB and released a Second Edition of the first book on the Detroit mafia in the 1970s and 80s. I’m sure you shook your head. “Geez, Cochran hasn’t even released … Continue reading →
Hello Friends and Fans, The Detroit Riots of 1967 made a huge impact on the future of Detroit. I was there and I’m about to share some of my experiences with you. Have you watched Facebook Live before? That’s where … Continue reading →
Who would have ever thought — a farm kid from Indiana who was so pigeon-toed he wore corrective shoes; who attended eleven different elementary schools; who spoke with a lisp; who couldn’t read until the fifth grade; who had one … Continue reading →
Published in Naples Daily News, Dec. 29, 2015 Not long ago playing a college football bowl game was something of institutional pride—parades and other events occupied the days in advance. Alumni filled the stadiums. Players were student-athletes, most graduated, and … Continue reading →
Last week the faculty at a local university stood tall, giving a glimmer of hope for our community and the State—they opposed the possession of guns on campus.
It’s hard to believe this issue of allowing guns on campus would even come before the Faculty Senate but it did, thanks to the wisdom of the state legislature. Interestingly, in making Florida one of twenty states to pass such a bill, the legislature didn’t remove the restriction of guns at their meetings or those of any other government agency.
All but one Republican supported the bill; all of the Democrats opposed it. Strangely, the legislation eliminated stun guns and other devices designed solely for defensive purposes making the intent clear—legislators were NOT interested in personal defense; their vote endorsed vigilante action— a concept rejected by wild-westerners decades ago.
All of that aside, you’d think politicians would follow the lead, or at least listen to those closest to the situation, but they failed to respect the fact that:
State University Presidents OPPOSED the measure.
State Police Chiefs OPPOSED the measure.
State University System’s Board of Governors OPPOSED the measure.
On the other side, the National Rifle Association supported the bill. Their lobbyist said it all: “College campuses are gun-free zones, where murders, rapists and shooters can commit crimes without fear of being harmed by their victims.” I spent over thirty years of my career on college campuses and NEVER heard such a definition of university life.
Fact is, deranged individuals do not follow normal logical patterns; they have no feelings for their victims nor fear of the police. And now, they’re protected by the National Rifle Association.
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Common sense?
By the university faculty? YES!
By the legislature in Florida? NO WAY!
By the National Rifle Association? NOT EVEN CLOSE!
Is your mom an avid reader? Give her the gift of books for Mother’s Day. Then give her some quiet time to relax and enjoy her gift. She’ll think your the best! And, you can tell her you know the author! Continue reading →
Summers are special when you’re growing up. It’s a time to travel, see your grandparents, go to a ballgame, attend a church or band camp. It was like that for me, but instead of doing what most kids did, I went to baseball school for six weeks. Continue reading →