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
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead!
With Halloween just a few days away, and just for fun, I thought I’d reprise a commentary I wrote for the Vail Daily Newspaper on Halloween, 2002. Folklore tells us that witches and witchcraft permeated life in the western world since ancient Rome. Why then is there...
Hitting the Boat!
When a crisis emerges anywhere on earth, it’s no accident that every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has asked the same first question: “Where are the carriers?” Modern nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, such as those in the Nimitz or Ford class, are over 1,090...
Trump, Tariffs, and the Risk of Cornering a Rabid Dog
Donald Trump has long viewed tariffs as more than just a trade tool. He uses them to protect American industry, raise government revenue, spur domestic production, and apply diplomatic pressure. Now, he's threatening to apply “secondary tariffs” on Russian oil if...
Why the Epstein Case Won’t Go Away
The reason the Epstein case continues to dominate headlines is simple: the corporate media wants it to. They claim their motive is “transparency,” pushing for the release of sealed documents—especially grand jury transcripts. But let’s be honest—they know full well...
Adult Truths
I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history when you die. Has anyone ever successfully folded a fitted sheet? Bad decisions can make for some great stories There’s a very fine line between Saturday night and Sunday morning....
Random Thoughts
If you're going to judge Donald Trump, judge him by what he does—not what he says. His blunt rhetoric and use of social media are tools of negotiation, not diplomacy. So far, his policies align closely with his campaign promises. No one paying attention should be...
A Change of Pace
Vis-a-vis the tragedy in Texas over the weekend and all the back and forth over the Big Beautiful Bill I thought it time for a change of pace and decided to write about something I’ve always found fascinating - making movies. Have you ever found yourself watching a...
A Disaster in Waiting
The 1985 Genplan Moskvy (General Plan of Moscow), often referred to as the Moscow Master Plan, was the former Soviet Union’s comprehensive urban plan for Moscow encompassing every public service from childcare to food outlets, to transportation to housing. I’m not...
Politicians Play Checkers, Leaders Play Chess
I love listening to the talking heads pontificate about what’s occurring in the Middle East especially those claiming that Iran’s hostility toward the U.S. began not in 1979, but in 1953, when Washington backed the removal of then Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad...
The Same Military – a Different Commander-in-Chief
The United States has been involved in two major military operations during the last four years, “Operation Allies Refuge” that took place in September of 2021, when President Joe Biden withdrew from Afghanistan, and Operation Midnight Hammer, executed just two days...