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February 12, 2026
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  • Choosing Enough
  • Looking Back at 2025: A Year of Loss, Resolve, and Reckoning
  • When Elected Officials Skip the Phone Call and Go Straight to the Pitchfork
  • The Universal Liturgy: Civic Duty as the Fruit of Faith
  • The Ideological Tourist: Why Josie Tomkow is the Wrong Prescription for Tampa
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Deep Something

The site for ranting and reporting by John Masters

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Choosing Enough
Featured Religion Society Stoicism 

Choosing Enough

February 11, 2026 B. John 0
Looking Back at 2025: A Year of Loss, Resolve, and Reckoning
Kings Mountain Politics Election Deep Thoughts Featured Places 

Looking Back at 2025: A Year of Loss, Resolve, and Reckoning

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 B. John 0
When Elected Officials Skip the Phone Call and Go Straight to the Pitchfork
Featured Media Politics Legislature Society Crack Pots 

When Elected Officials Skip the Phone Call and Go Straight to the Pitchfork

February 5, 2026February 5, 2026 B. John 0
The Ideological Tourist: Why Josie Tomkow is the Wrong Prescription for Tampa
Places Tampa Politics Election Legislature Featured 

The Ideological Tourist: Why Josie Tomkow is the Wrong Prescription for Tampa

February 4, 2026February 5, 2026 B. John 0
Nothing Says “This Season of Life” Like a Cremation Luncheon Invite
Featured Humor Entertainment 

Nothing Says “This Season of Life” Like a Cremation Luncheon Invite

February 4, 2026 B. John 0
Civic Duty as Lived Responsibility
Methodism Stoicism Featured Places Tampa Religion Society 

Civic Duty as Lived Responsibility

February 1, 2026 B. John 0
The Constitutional Squatter: Is Jay Collins Even Eligible to Lead?
Featured Politics Election 

The Constitutional Squatter: Is Jay Collins Even Eligible to Lead?

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026 B. John 0
Steel-Toed Integrity
Places Tampa Politics Election Legislature Economy Featured 

Steel-Toed Integrity

January 10, 2026February 4, 2026 B. John 0

Latest

Check here for the latest topics not shown in the featured section.

The Universal Liturgy: Civic Duty as the Fruit of Faith
Politics Religion Society 

The Universal Liturgy: Civic Duty as the Fruit of Faith

February 5, 2026 B. John 0

What if voting, showing up at a council meeting, or speaking up for a neighbor weren’t just civic responsibilities, but acts of faith? Many of us treat spirituality as a private matter, safely contained within the walls of a sanctuary. But across religious traditions, the message is consistent: faith that never enters the public square is incomplete.

From John Wesley’s insistence on social holiness, to the prophets’ demand for justice, to Eastern teachings on interconnectedness, belief is proven through action. Civic life is where compassion becomes concrete, and values are tested. Read the full essay to explore why civic engagement may be the most honest expression of faith we have right now.

The Price of Loyalty
Featured Politics Legislature 

The Price of Loyalty

January 9, 2026 B. John 0
The High Price of “Nice”: What Karen Gonzalez Pittman is Actually Costing South Tampa
Economy Featured Places Tampa Politics Legislature 

The High Price of “Nice”: What Karen Gonzalez Pittman is Actually Costing South Tampa

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 B. John 0
Justice as Responsibility: A Companion Examination
Religion Society Methodism Stoicism Featured Politics 

Justice as Responsibility: A Companion Examination

January 7, 2026 B. John 1
Justice as a Way of Life
Culture Featured Politics Religion Society Stoicism 

Justice as a Way of Life

January 6, 2026January 7, 2026 B. John 1

Politics

All the hot-button topics about government, state, local, and federal the courts, and the election.

The Rubber Stamp Comes to South Tampa
Featured Politics Election Legislature 

The Rubber Stamp Comes to South Tampa

December 30, 2025December 30, 2025 B. John 1
This entry is part 2 of 7 in the series 2026 Elections

Florida Senate District 14 is facing a choice between a local voice and a corporate transfer. Josie Tomkow, a term-limited rancher from Polk County, is attempting to buy a Senate seat in South Tampa with $3 million in special interest cash. This essay examines her record of voting against our interests—on insurance, abortion, and education—and why we need a representative who actually lives here, like Brian Nathan.

From Suppression to Sellout: The Laurel Lee Playbook
Election Economy Featured Politics Congress 

From Suppression to Sellout: The Laurel Lee Playbook

December 30, 2025 B. John 0
A Speech Built on Sand. Fact-Checking the President’s Address
Economy Featured Politics Presidency Society Crack Pots 

A Speech Built on Sand. Fact-Checking the President’s Address

December 18, 2025 B. John 0

Science

This includes discussions on scientific topics that include the environment, weather, medicine, and space.

Stoic Practices: Voluntary Discomfort
Featured Science Stoicism 

Stoic Practices: Voluntary Discomfort

October 28, 2025November 30, 2025 B. John 0
Stoic Practices: Contemplation of Nature
Places Tampa Science Stoicism Environment Featured 

Stoic Practices: Contemplation of Nature

October 15, 2025November 30, 2025 B. John 0
Our Ian Experience
Featured Weather Science 

Our Ian Experience

October 10, 2022October 11, 2022 B. John 0

Society

We lump a lot under this category including crime, corruption, education and hate groups. This category runs the gamut.

Introduction to Stoic Virtues
Stoicism Featured Religion Society 

Introduction to Stoic Virtues

December 4, 2025December 3, 2025 B. John 0
Virtues: Acceptance
Featured Religion Society Stoicism 

Virtues: Acceptance

November 25, 2025December 3, 2025 B. John 0
Practicing Memento Mori: Learning to Live by Remembering Death
Featured Religion Society Stoicism 

Practicing Memento Mori: Learning to Live by Remembering Death

October 19, 2025November 30, 2025 B. John 0

Culture

Posts on cultural activities such as theater, art, holidays, and music.

Thinking Our Way to Character
Culture Books Featured Stoicism 

Thinking Our Way to Character

November 11, 2025 B. John 0
Stoic Practices: Friendship and Mentorship
Stoicism Culture Featured Friends Fun Stuff 

Stoic Practices: Friendship and Mentorship

October 27, 2025November 30, 2025 B. John 0
Stoic Practices: Morning Reflection
Culture Books Music Featured Stoicism 

Stoic Practices: Morning Reflection

October 12, 2025November 30, 2025 B. John 0

Religion

This is our section for articles related to religion, especially Methodism, and the Evangelical movement.

Stoic Practices: Role Models
Gay Issues Stoicism Family Featured Fun Stuff Politics Religion Society 

Stoic Practices: Role Models

September 26, 2025November 30, 2025 B. John 0
This entry is part 10 of 18 in the series Stoicism Practices
This entry is part 40 of 58 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

The Stoics believed that we learn virtue through example. Marcus Aurelius wrote to himself as if he were a friend, modeling how to live by holding himself accountable to an imagined mentor. Seneca pointed to Cato as a guide. Epictetus told his students to picture a sage. This practice of role models is simple but powerful: we ask, “What would this person do?” and in answering, we shape our own choices.

For me, role models have been both personal and public. My mother, a nurse for thirty-six years in our local schools, cared for generations of children and called them “my kids.” She held our family together after Dad’s untimely death and lived a life of quiet service that rippled through our community. My band director, Donald Deal, taught discipline and teamwork that lasted far beyond the music hall. Rev. Dr. R. Earle Rabb showed courage in welcoming all God’s children into his church. And figures like John Lewis, Harvey Milk, and Mahatma Gandhi remind me that justice, hope, and service are lived realities, not abstractions. To practice role models is to remember that we are guided by others—and that we, too, may be the model someone else is following.

The View from Above
Methodism Stoicism Boone Deep Thoughts Featured Places Kings Mountain Religion 

The View from Above

August 29, 2025November 30, 2025 B. John 0
Bi-Vocational Martyrdom and the Pronoun Police: Crying Wolf in a Library
Hate Groups Politics Religion Society Gay Issues Right Wingnuts Crack Pots 

Bi-Vocational Martyrdom and the Pronoun Police: Crying Wolf in a Library

July 28, 2025August 5, 2025 B. John 0

Technology

Discussions on software, hardware, apps, and gadgets.

Attention to the Present Moment
Culture Featured Technology Stoicism 

Attention to the Present Moment

October 6, 2025December 2, 2025 B. John 0
Stoic Practices: Journaling
Featured Technology Software Stoicism 

Stoic Practices: Journaling

September 25, 2025November 30, 2025 B. John 0
Am I A Stoic? AI Says…meh
Deep Thoughts Featured Society Technology Stoicism 

Am I A Stoic? AI Says…meh

August 24, 2025August 25, 2025 B. John 0

LGBT Issues

Here we discuss the politics of the LGBT movement, stories of events in the community, and anything else related to the LGBT community.

The Supreme Court’s Skrmetti Ruling Will Harm Trans Youth
Politics Courts Society Gay Issues Featured 

The Supreme Court’s Skrmetti Ruling Will Harm Trans Youth

June 19, 2025June 20, 2025 B. John 0
Guardians of Morality-Can You Say “Glass House”
Gay Issues Right Wingnuts Hate Groups Politics Legislature Society 

Guardians of Morality-Can You Say “Glass House”

June 16, 2025 B. John 0
No Kings Day: A Stand Against Power and Injustice
Gay Issues Methodism Featured Places Tampa Politics Presidency Religion Society 

No Kings Day: A Stand Against Power and Injustice

June 13, 2025 B. John 0

Fun Stuff

This is a bit of a collection of stories about family, food, friends, and travel.

Living the Last Best Moment
Culture Boone Featured Friends Fun Stuff Places Kings Mountain Stoicism 

Living the Last Best Moment

September 30, 2025December 13, 2025 B. John 0
Friendship and Impermanence
Featured Friends Fun Stuff Stoicism 

Friendship and Impermanence

September 11, 2025September 12, 2025 B. John 0
Apatheia in Practice
Deep Thoughts Family Featured Friends Fun Stuff Politics Stoicism 

Apatheia in Practice

September 7, 2025November 30, 2025 B. John 0

The Economy

Here are topics on the economy, trade, and business.

Is the Tail (Tale?) About to Wag the Dog?
Economy Featured Politics Presidency War 

Is the Tail (Tale?) About to Wag the Dog?

December 17, 2025December 17, 2025 B. John 0

Over the past week, the administration has steadily ratcheted up the drumbeat against Venezuela. Two more alleged “drug boats” were destroyed in the Caribbean, again without publicly released evidence. A sudden announcement of an embargo on ships carrying Venezuelan oil. The quiet but unmistakable presence of the largest U.S. aircraft carrier and its support fleet repositioned into the Caribbean. And now, after days of escalating rhetoric, a prime-time address to the nation.
Taken individually, each move could be explained away. Together, they form a pattern that deserves attention. This is not routine counternarcotics enforcement. This is coercive signaling, and it is happening at a moment when the president faces mounting pressure at home.
When facts are thin, and spectacle is thick, motives matter. History teaches us to be cautious when presidents under domestic strain suddenly discover urgent foreign enemies. The timing alone should give us pause.

United Healthcare and the Theater of the Absurd
General Economy Featured 

United Healthcare and the Theater of the Absurd

December 5, 2025December 5, 2025 B. John 1

nited Healthcare just sent me a letter asking about my “dialysis treatments” for a claim from July 2025. Small problem. I wasn’t on Medicare in July. I’ve never had dialysis. And the provider was BayCare Imaging. which does… imaging.

After 2 hours and 57 minutes on the phone with five reps who couldn’t grasp any of this. I’m sending them a bill for my time. Welcome to the American healthcare system. Pull up a chair.

This Is What You Bought With Your Vote
Economy Featured Politics Congress Election Presidency 

This Is What You Bought With Your Vote

October 25, 2025 B. John 0

Millions of Americans voted for Donald Trump in 2024, believing he would deliver for farmers, the working class, retirees, and the forgotten small towns. But as his administration’s policies take shape, those same groups are paying the price. Hospitals are closing across rural America. Farmers are watching debts rise as export markets disappear. Working-class families face climbing health costs. Retirees are seeing threats to the Social Security and Medicare benefits they worked their lives to earn.

This essay traces the immediate fallout of those choices, showing how the policies now harming these voters were exactly what Trump promised to do. It’s not betrayal. It’s follow-through. The question is whether Americans are ready to face the consequences of what their ballots actually bought.

MoviesView All

Articles related to places important to me or the places we visit.

The Whale – A Movie Review
Culture Movies 

The Whale – A Movie Review

The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley-A Movie Review
Featured Society Crime Technology Culture Movies 

The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley-A Movie Review

1917 – A Movie Review
Culture Movies Entertainment Featured 

1917 – A Movie Review

Joker-A Movie Review
Culture Movies Entertainment Society 

Joker-A Movie Review

Richard Jewell – A Movie Review
Culture Movies 

Richard Jewell – A Movie Review

Downton Abbey-A Movie Review
Culture Movies Featured 

Downton Abbey-A Movie Review

BlacKkKlansman – A Movie Review
Culture Movies Southern 

BlacKkKlansman – A Movie Review

Media

Covers things like the web, blogging, Radio and television, and print media.

Do We Define Our Stories, or Do They Define Us?
Culture Featured Media Radio NPR Stoicism 

Do We Define Our Stories, or Do They Define Us?

Melania Trump’s Spokesperson-Stephanie Grisham: Douche Bag of The Day
Crime Corruption Media Politics Society 

Melania Trump’s Spokesperson-Stephanie Grisham: Douche Bag of The Day

New And Improved Deep Something
Media Blogs 

New And Improved Deep Something

I Propose a New Godwin’s Law
Featured Media Society Crack Pots 

I Propose a New Godwin’s Law

The Post – A Movie Review
Culture Movies Media Politics 

The Post – A Movie Review

Another Gun Argument – The Jews Argument
Media Religion Society Right Wingnuts Crack Pots 

Another Gun Argument – The Jews Argument

Places

Here we talk about topics specific to Tampa, Kings Mountain, and other places I've lived or visited.

Stoic Practices: Negative Visualization
Featured Places Kings Mountain Boone NC 

Stoic Practices: Negative Visualization

Rehearsing Virtue in Small Daily Acts
Tampa Stoicism Featured Places 

Rehearsing Virtue in Small Daily Acts

A Flicker Toward Life
Featured Places Kings Mountain Stoicism 

A Flicker Toward Life

Embracing the Unforeseen
Featured Places Kings Mountain Stoicism 

Embracing the Unforeseen

The Graduation Gift
Culture Art Boone Deep Thoughts Family Featured Fun Stuff Places Stoicism 

The Graduation Gift

About Deep Something

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