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Pets in Restaurants By Bob Branco   This topic does not apply to all animals, because guide dogs are allowed by law to accompany blind people outside the home, whether it’s for transportation, eating at a restaurant, or being in any other location. However, there has been a [ Continue to post page ]

  Party Protocol By Bob Branco   In my life, I have hosted many house parties and attended many others. When I give a party, I want to make sure that all of my guests are happy and comfortable, just as I expect to feel the same way at someone else’s party. With that [ Continue to post page ]

Panhandling By Bob Branco   In the city where I live, there are lots of panhandlers who stand on street corners, in parking lots, and on highway exit ramps. Some even bring their chairs and bask in the sun while soliciting money from the general public. They do this in order [ Continue to post page ]

Our Native Language By Bob Branco   We’ve often heard that the United States is a melting pot, meaning that we are a combination of many cultures coming together as one society. I understand why this is happening. History defines it quite well. With that said, I’ve always [ Continue to post page ]

Music Gimmick Drives Consumers Crazy By Bob Branco   Recently, I went to Walmart and purchased a three–CD set of hit songs from the 1960s. When I played them on my CD player, I discovered that they weren’t the original recordings. They were sung either by generic copycats or [ Continue to post page ]

More Awareness of our Country is Necessary By Bob Branco, written in October, 2016   If you have nothing better to do today, take a walk through the streets of your city and ask 100 Millennials a few questions about the history of the United States. I think you will be [ Continue to post page ]

Modern Fundraising By Bob Branco   Many people use social media in order to raise money for personal and professional reasons. Fundraising sites such as Indiegogo and GoFundMe are very popular and sometimes controversial. I have known people who use these types of accounts in [ Continue to post page ]

Is Internet Radio Overrated? By Bob Branco   Despite the fact that we all grew up listening to many broadcast radio stations that appeal to tens of thousands of listeners, there is a definite trend toward internet radio. I do not understand this trend. Though internet radio [ Continue to post page ]

Is American Society Too Sensitive By Bob Branco   Just think back to when you was a child. You jumped out of trees, tackled your friends on the playground, and took many other physical risks. Why? Because that’s what kids do. Today, I believe that on many levels, kids are not [ Continue to post page ]

In the Spotlight By Bob Branco   George Orwell, in his book Nineteen Eighty–Four, accurately predicted that we would one day be under a watchful eye. Based on the natural order of things, such as more government, the internet, social media, and sophisticated video technology, [ Continue to post page ]

The Importance of Tipping By Bob Branco   Tipping is a very important custom in this country. Many waiters and waitresses try very hard for the money they make, and as far as I’m concerned, tipping is an expression of appreciation. While many people tip according to [ Continue to post page ]

Have you Enjoyed Your Go Lately By Bob Branco   Just think back to when you were growing up. I’m sure that when you watched television or listened to the radio, you heard commercials about quality cleaning products, sparkling soft drinks, remedies for the common cold, and [ Continue to post page ]

Has Comedy Changed on Television By Bob Branco   If you are old enough to remember what television was like 30, 40, or even 50 years ago, ask yourselves if television comedy shows are as humorous today as they once were. I have been listening to comedy shows for more than [ Continue to post page ]

Getting High at the Movies This essay was written on March 16, 2016, and is part of my book, Weighing Things Up, Book 2; More Essays on Trends, Technology and Present-day Society   When we go to the theater, it’s because we want to see a good movie and have a nice bag of hot [ Continue to post page ]

Getting High at the Movies This essay was written on March 16, 2016, and is part of my book, Weighing Things Up, Book 2; More Essays on Trends, Technology and Present-day Society   When we go to the theater, it’s because we want to see a good movie and have a nice bag of hot [ Continue to post page ]

Corrupt Music By Bob Branco   When I was growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s, radio and television were restricted as to what went on the air. Songs with suggestive lyrics were banned from some Top 40 radio stations, and graphic language and video were restricted from your [ Continue to post page ]

Controlling your Children in Church March 3, 2017   Recently, my wife and I attended the Ash Wednesday service at a local Catholic church. We looked forward to it and were very proud to fulfill our obligation. I can’t speak for everybody. However, I will assume that when [ Continue to post page ]

The Connection Between Technology and Violence By Bob Branco   I suppose I should have put this as a question. Is there a connection between today’s technology and violence? Are children learning too much about violence at a young age as a result of video games? As far as I’m [ Continue to post page ]

Beware of Telephone Scams By Bob Branco This essay was taken from my book, Weighing Thins Up, Book Two; Essays on Trends, Technology, and Present-Day Society.   I’m sure that many of you have received phone calls from people who either request information from you or want [ Continue to post page ]

Are Paper Bank Statements a Thing of the Past By Bob Branco   Being that I can’t criticize technological trends without someone telling me to accept the times we live in, I can’t help but be compelled to say once again that I accept modern times. It’s not the technology that [ Continue to post page ]

  The American Economy Every time our economy suffers, we always hear the same thing. We need to create new jobs. The thing that people do not realize is that for every new job we create, we lose others, and not only because of a bad economy, but because of the times we live in. [ Continue to post page ]

The Abuse of Social Media By Bob Branco   Social media is an amazing invention. I take my hat off to those who created it, because it took an enormous amount of intelligence to set it all up. However, I am quite sure that the creators of social media did not intend for all [ Continue to post page ]

PART ONE GENERAL SOCIAL ISSUES Abortion, Right or Wrong? October 20, 2016 As I write about this topic, keep in mind that I am speaking as a Christian. There has been much debate about abortion, and I certainly will try not to add to it. As far as I’m concerned, a fetus has life. Unless [ Continue to post page ]

Conversational Broadcasting; What is WEEI Thinking? By Bob Branco June 18, 2019   I have been listening to the Boston Red Sox on the radio for over 50 years. For the most part, these announcers do a great job informing us of the action, allowing me to be completely [ Continue to post page ]