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Pi or pie: Celebrate March 14th your way

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On Thursday, we will observe the first of the two spring geek holidays. Yes, I said geek, not Greek. Pi day will be here before we know it. Pi day is celebrated every March 14 to celebrate the mathematical constant that is pi. Pi is the number that is the ratio of the diameter of a circle in relationship to the circumference. In its shortest form, Pi equals roughly 3.14. If you have a pie (see what I did there) that is 12 inches across, you will have a little more than three feet of crust to munch on, give or take a few crumbs. Here is the formula C = 2 x pi x r. Or you can just use a ...

MOV Climate Corner: Profit, people, planet

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Is it true that government should be run more like a business? This seems to be a given these days, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. The goal of a business is straightforward: to return a monetary profit to its owners or shareholders. The objectives are clear and simple. However, the goals of government — our government — are not as easily defined. The preamble to the U.S. Constitution outlines our national purpose: to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare. Nowhere in our ...

What it means to have potential

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As a minister, when asked to write a letter of recommendation for a young person in our church who is seeking a job, I often find myself using the word “potential.” They have it. They are smart, personable people who have grown up in good families and who understand the value of work. They will be a great addition to someone’s work force, and an investment in their future is also an investment in the future of any employer that they serve. I won’t assert that anyone has “great potential” unless I really believe that they do. Still, when I write those words, I’m reminded ...

The Constitution: The Rule of Law

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The Rule of Law is the fundamental principle of our Constitution. The Framers wanted to ensure the country would be governed by the Rule of Law and not by the whims of a king or strongman. The Rule of Law is about making sure the laws apply to everyone equally and that no one is above the law. Article 1 of the Constitution empowers Congress with making laws and describes the process it must follow. A federal law begins as a bill and must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Bills, such as for raising revenue, must begin in the House. “The House has power ...

The little steamboat that could

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Rufus Putnam was the founder of Marietta – and the name of a steamboat. The RUFUS PUTNAM was a sidewheeler steamboat built about 1823 by Caleb Bastow. She was small by later standards, just 75 ft long by 18 ft wide. Her Captain, John Green, decided to invite some friends to attempt a trip ...

Road Show results

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A few years ago, Lynnda and I were part of a trade mission to Japan. We were on our own until we connected with the rest of the group. On the train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, all announcements were in Japanese only. I noticed, “All the signs are in Japanese!” Lynnda commented, “We ARE in Japan.” “Yes, and I have no idea how to find our hotel.” Lynnda disappeared and returned in 10 minutes. “I found a lady who speaks English. Her husband is meeting her at the station. He can help us.” The woman’s husband took us from the fifth basement level of the ...