Blogs / Articles

  • Podcast #4: A Prick in Congress September 3, 2010 Podcast #4: A Prick in Congress read more...
  • The Future of Farming August 26, 2010 The last time I was in Indianapolis was the summer of 2003. I remember it pretty well because I was still sulking about The Colts being moved there without my permission and not quite over their inglorious departure from my hometown of Baltimore twenty years earlier. My bitterness melted away however in nearby Plainfield at The National Chimney Sweep Training School, the ... read more...
  • Building Symmetry August 15, 2010 Funny thing about symmetry – you never know it’s going to happen until the moment it actually does, and then all of a sudden, you say things like “Well, how about that? That was very symmetrical.” Which is pretty much what happened when I heard from “Go Build Alabama.” “Go Build Alabama” is a website built to champion Skilled Labor. It’s ... read more...
  • Podcast #3: FFA, Farms, Farmers and Farming July 8, 2010 Podcast #3: FFA, Farms, Farmers and Farming read more...
  • John Adams ~ Independent, Politically Incorrect and Would Look Great on a $50 Bill June 30, 2010 From Mike’s forum on Discovery: Q: As we celebrate our nation’s birthday ~ the 4th of July, have you ever considered which president you would have liked to have met? — Pen   John Adams My reasons why are between the covers of McCullough’s biography on the man and his presidency, and too numerous to mention here. But for starters, he was a true ... read more...
  • Mike’s Podcast Tribute to Captain Phil Harris June 22, 2010 And for more information, visit CORNELIA MARIE read more...
  • Mike Rowe’s First Podcast – For Father’s Day No Less! June 19, 2010 Mike reads Father’s Day al Fresco Fiasco from his 2009 Father’s Day blog. Download it here, listen and then let us know what you think – should he do more Podcasts? And look for it on iTunes soon! read more...
  • Mike Replies To A Slightly Offended, Not Very Enthusiastic Scout June 13, 2010 Dear Mike Rowe, Hello, I am a boy scout in Iowa, and I read the letter you sent to a boy who was contemplating whether or not to become an eagle scout. I am sorry to say this, but I am slightly offended by the meaning I interpreted when you brought up taking the path to become an eagle scout, or ... read more...
  • To What Degree Do You Think A College Degree Matters? June 8, 2010 From Mike’s Forum on Discovery: Q: Mike I’m curious how you, who attended 6 years of college, came to appreciate and respect the people who do the less glamorous jobs. Did your parents raise you to appreciate every one’s struggle? Seems like a simple point these days, but it’s shocking how many people still think that schooling has anything to do with wisdom, ... read more...
  • Can We Help But Be Defined And Sometimes Hardened By Our Work? May 26, 2010 There comes a time in life when you know deep down, that you have become HARDENED and for me it is a fringe benefit of the working class. I feel it is earned and not just handed out. When I look at my Father and uncles, who are in the same career field as I am you can just tell ... read more...
  • Despite Magnificent Evolution, YOUR Safety Cannot be Your Employer’s Top Priority May 14, 2010 From the MRW Water Cooler: Q: Mike, Years ago this country’s workers were deliberately kept in the dark about the dangers of their work and to stand up against employers or to question the practices would risk them being fired. Personal responsibility is obviously important and when we feel it is the company’s fault we look for justice. We are a country of ... read more...
  • A One Size Safety Approach Doesn’t Fit All or Make You Safer April 27, 2010 From the MRW Water Cooler: Q: Mike, I can’t imagine any company saying that safety is not their number one priority and companies offer items to keep the workers safe, so maybe I do not understanding the concept of “Safety Third”. Also, I think many of us feel profits are put before worker safety.  Is it just disregarding employee’s verses the economic ... read more...
  • What’s Riskier – Working Without a Net or Without Personal Responsibility? April 22, 2010 Companies spend millions and millions of dollars trying to convince their employees that individual safety is the company’s NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. In my opinion, that is illogical, untrue and counter-intuitive to encouraging optimum vigilance in an employee. Certainly, management based safety programs are critical and greatly reduce on the job injuries; I’ve never said otherwise. But dangerous environments cannot be ... read more...
  • American Profile Magazine Profiles Mike Rowe April 1, 2010 It’s a Dirty Job But TV’s Mike Rowe rolls up his sleeves and gets it done by M.B. Roberts On every episode of the Discovery Channel TV series Dirty Jobs, host Mike Rowe digs in and gets to work at various messy, difficult, strange and sometimes disgusting tasks. Viewers sometimes wince as he crushes up old toilets or gets up close and personal ... read more...
  • Once More Unto the Breach Dear Friends, Once More! March 31, 2010 One of the really cruel things about television is the way it bends time, at least for the people who make it. A few weeks ago, for instance, the final episode of DJ aired for the current season. (Rather good, if I don’t say so myself.) In it, I found some part-time work for my erstwhile crew on scenic Mackinac ... read more...