Coffee Break

The Lightning Rod That Is Tim Tebow

Jerry Coffee — 2012-01-25T10:00:10+00:00

Twenty-three years ago, an American missionary couple in the Philippines (we’ll call them Pam and Bob) were busy doing what missionaries do: bringing souls to God. With four children already, their prayers for a fifth child were answered when Pam became pregnant.

Time To Try Multiple School Boards

Jerry Coffee — 2012-01-11T10:00:06+00:00

Hawaii voters should recall the 2004 re-election campaign of incumbent Gov. Linda Lingle, in which she outlined her reorganization plan for Hawaii’s education system. At that time our state was and continues to be plagued by some of the lowest math and reading scores in the nation, usually ending up in the lowest three or four. And this has gone on for years, at least all of the 37 years of my residency. Why?

The Entitlement Generation

Jerry Coffee — 2011-12-28T10:00:18+00:00

About 16 years ago, when our granddaughter (our first) was beginning to play soccer, we were loyal fans of her team and, like good tutu and tutu kane, we lugged our coolers and beach chairs to almost every game. Even at her young age of 6 or 7, we encouraged her to learn the values derived from teamwork and competition. But the frustration set in almost immediately: “So how many goals did you score, Sweetie?”

Memories Of Dec. 7 And Aftermath

Jerry Coffee — 2011-12-14T10:00:41+00:00

As I compose this column on Pearl Harbor Day 2011, my thoughts go back exactly 70 years. I was lying on the living room carpet in my grandparents’ farmhouse just beyond the suburbs of Modesto, Calif. I was enjoying my favorite Sunday comic strip, the Katzenjammer Kids.

A Newborn Grandchild

Jerry Coffee — 2011-11-30T10:00:43+00:00

When was the last time you cuddled a 3-week-old baby of your own lineage? As I was recently reminded, it’s the most awesome confirmation of the miracle of human life.

Touched By Tigers’ Power, Beauty

Jerry Coffee — 2011-11-09T10:00:39+00:00

“Chaque Homme Est Un Tigre!” So read the giant sign over the entrance to the Battalion spaces of Pensacola’s Preflight Class 47-57 (the 47th class of 1957): Each Man Is A Tiger! The words arching over the visage of a snarling tiger.

The Occupy Wall Street Movement

Jerry Coffee — 2011-10-26T10:00:13+00:00

In the Oct. 4 “Insight” section of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Nicholas Kristof wrote a column on the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City’s Liberty Square: “Enough is Enough! The Occupy Wall Street movement isn’t quite like the ‘Arab Spring,’ but there are similarities.” Kristof continued, “where the movement falters is in its demands: It doesn’t have any.”

Appreciating The Work Of Our Postal Service

Jerry Coffee — 2011-09-28T10:00:03+00:00

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

Zen Of River Rock Sculpting

Jerry Coffee — 2011-09-14T10:00:09+00:00

California State University at Chico Chico State is nestled against the east side of the northern Central Valley, where the golden foothills of the Sierras begin their long upward meander to the snowy peaks of the eastern horizon.

Obama Not Playing For Afghan Win

Jerry Coffee — 2011-08-31T10:00:56+00:00

The recent shoot-down of a U.S. helicopter in Afghanistan that killed 38 of our elite troops (eight Afghans, 22 highly trained American SEALS, three Air Force air controllers, the helo crew and a specially trained canine) was the single worst combat disaster of our decade long effort there. It cut to the American heart like a shard of broken glass. And unless our president junks his strategy for certain defeat, it’s likely to get worse.