Hello

So, I have really needed to start a blog for awhile now, primarily in order to do the following things:

1) Post interesting articles,
2) Write down occasional thoughts on various goings-on,
3) Receive any feedback from those who happen upon these posts, and
4) (With any luck...) foster fruitful discussion.

Today, finally, is the breaking point, and the blog seems like it can no longer be put off.  I currently have around fifteen articles waiting in various tabs to be read and considered, so while they are all open, I decided that I might as well post them also, both for future reference and for others' consideration.

Here goes nothing.  :-)