Category Archives: Family

Hi Grandpa

Posted on December 3, 2020 by wcoats

The following story actually happened: Around 10 am Wednesday morning the phone rang. I picked it up and said, “Hello”. “Hi Grandpa,” was the reply. There are few things that grandfathers like hearing more than that, though often with a … Continue reading →

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The search for purpose: Nature and Nurture – Genes and culture

Posted on February 10, 2020 by wcoats

Every healthy boy and girl searches for the meaning and purpose of their lives. We ask why we are here and what we should do with our lives.  Where do we want to go and be in the future? How … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Family, Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Paid Family Leave

Posted on July 11, 2017 by wcoats

The view that if something is good or beneficial the government should provide or mandate it is one of the attitudes dividing those who favor limited government from those favoring a more expansive and generous government. The following provides one … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Balancing Religious Freedom and Civil Rights

Posted on April 3, 2015 by wcoats

The adoption last week of Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) has set off a loud public debate about religious freedom and civil rights. The debate is over the best balance between our cherished beliefs in both religious freedom and civil … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, News and politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

More from Rosewood

Posted on March 4, 2012 by wcoats

As my United, Canadair flight from Denver descended over Bakersfield toward the Meadows Field airport, my phone indicated the arrival of a text message. My brother Gary was asking, “Where are you?”  I responded: “Just landing—early”. It was 8:10 pm … Continue reading →

Posted in Family | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Annual Christmas Letter

Posted on December 16, 2010 by wcoats

Dear Friends,                                                                                                           December 8, 2010 Seasons Greetings. I hope that it has been a good year for you and those you love. It has been for me, but it remains a troubled time … Continue reading →

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Breakfast at Rosewood

Posted on May 22, 2010 by wcoats

May 21, 2010 My dad’s and my birthdays on the 19th two days ago are an almost distant memory. I had spoken in the afternoon to a gathering of Rosewood residents (the retirement community my dad lives in as had … Continue reading →

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Snowmageddon

Posted on February 11, 2010 by wcoats

The Mother of all Snowstorms Followed by the Mother of all Snowstorms Known here as the “Snowmageddon” A week before Christmas we got 18 inches of snow, an all time record for the month of December. It messed up a … Continue reading →

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My mother’s funeral

Posted on December 2, 2009 by wcoats

 My mom died Sunday November 22 and I returned to Bakersfield the next day to help make funeral arrangements and to keep my dad company. My mom’s real life, the one she loved, had ended some months earlier, so the … Continue reading →

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My Mom

Posted on November 22, 2009 by wcoats

My mom passed away around 6:30 Sunday morning November 22, 2009. This came several months after she happily said her good byes and expected and hoped to leave us after what she called a wonderful life. It deserves to be … Continue reading →

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