Based on the emails he receives, Butch’s commentaries are read by people across the U.S., Europe, and even as far as Shanghai, China. He aims to share ideas and opinions that encourage readers to see things from a slightly different perspective.
Highlights from his observations
On relationships
“In many cases, the best ‘present’ a man can give to a woman is just to ‘be present.’ And ‘being present’ doesn’t mean being there physically—it means being emotionally present.”
On the history of marriage
“In the 14th and 15th centuries, people married in June because they took their yearly bath in May; however, they were starting to smell just a tad, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.”
On customer service
“When it comes to customer satisfaction, there are two maxims: First, the customer defines quality, and second, quality, service, price—the customer wants at least two.”
On what schools don’t teach our kids—but should
- Positive attitude
- Belief in one’s individual importance
- Making wise choices
- Positive habit building
- Creative thinking
- Persistence
On geopolitics
“The World Court does not have a clear mission, it is not underpinned by any particular body of law (as the U.S. Criminal Justice System is), and three fourths of the nations endorsing the court do not subscribe to trial by jury—so just how prudent would it be for the U.S. to become a member?”
Visit the archives at www.vaildaily.com to see more commentaries.
Columnist | Writer | Author
Butch’s writing career began with a screenplay, later adapted into a cheeky “singles” book: From the First Date to the Bedroom: The Single Man’s Official Guide to Success With Women.
Background
- Born and raised in Chicago, IL
- Graduated from the University of Dayton and the University of Michigan School of Advanced Business Methods
- Commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps
- Carrier-qualified Naval Aviator, including a tour in Vietnam with over 400 combat missions
- Twice recipient of the “Outstanding Young Men of America” award
- Area President of a regional office of an international insurance brokerage firm
- Chaired numerous professional boards; actively fundraised for The American Heart Association, The Children’s Hospital Foundation, and appeared on local Denver TV for Muscular Dystrophy fundraising
- Insurance consultant to businesses in Chicago, Denver, and the Bay Area
- Winner of the 2019 Colorado Press Association Award for ‘Best Serious Column Writing’
Recent Commentaries
A Reasoned Approach to Climate Change
Perhaps the most concerning issue in the climate change debate is that so many people refuse to accept the fact that all science – including climate science - is predicated on hard evidence. And every theory or conclusion must be supported by observation,...
Payday Loans
Last week I wrote about California’s new minimum wage law that’s causing fast-food restaurants to lay off employees, limit hiring, and raise prices. At the same time, this new law dovetails with the elimination or restriction of the once popular payday loans that...
A Double Whammy
A double whammy is defined as a situation that is bad in two different ways : a situation in which two bad conditions exist at the same time or two bad things happen one after the other; for example, “with the cold weather and the high cost of heating fuel, homeowners...
Debating Policy with a Liberal
It’s the political season and discussions always turn to politics. So, I thought I would make a few suggestions about how we might engage when encountering those of a different political ilk. Long ago I learned the best way to debate policy with a liberal is by...
Deceits of the Left
Thomas Sowell, American economist & social philosopher is one of my favorite political commentators who once wrote, “If you want to challenge liberal policies all you need do is ask three questions. How much does it cost, compared to what and where’s your hard...
Who’s Fooling Who?
Ya gotta love the elites who rationalize flying in private jets because they buy “carbon offsets.” Give me a break! These folks should remind us of the men who during the Civil War legally circumvented the Conscription Act by paying another man to take their place...
Res ipsa loquitur
Res ipsa loquitur is Latin and literally means the thing speaks for itself. And when placed in the context of presidential campaign the incumbent’s record does just that – it speaks for itself. Recently, in a Victor David Hanson op-ed, the conservative writer asks a...
Enjoying the Drama
Every Saturday during the school year, and 6 days-a-week during the summer, from the 8th grade through my sophomore year in college, I worked for my dad and uncle in their mid-size grocery store on the west side of Chicago. Working in a family business has its plusses...
Idiots, Ideologues & DEI
Question: what is the worst thing you can accuse someone of in America - thievery, sexual harassment, murder, rape, serial killings, child molestation? Well, I’ve never seen a poll but it strikes me that the worst thing you can call someone today is a racist because...
Fundamental Change Has Come
The phrase, “the genie is out of the bottle,” means that something has been done that cannot be undone; a secret may have been revealed, forces may have been put into motion, privileges or monetary inducements may have been granted that cannot be retracted, etc. ...