Category Archives: Scratch Pad

The Iran Fiasco

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Allen Mesch

Every day, there seem to be promises of a resolution to the Iran War. And every day, Iran demonstrates its tenacity in refusing to surrender. I am sure that our rival nations (Russia and China) are having a good laugh … Continue reading →

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Latest Art Projects

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Allen Mesch

I thought that I would take a break from my political tirades and show some of my recent art projects, You will notice that I slipped in a political commentary.

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Attack on Iran – Are We Safer?

Posted on March 1, 2026 by Allen Mesch

Iranian Missiles (NY Times) On Saturday, the world learned that the United States and Israel had begun attacking Iran. The targets included the country’s leadership, missile sites, and nuclear operations. Iran retaliated with attacks on US military positions, Israel, and … Continue reading →

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Slavery Ends in U.S., but Inequality Continues

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Allen Mesch

There is an interesting video making the rounds on the Internet. In the video a Black man explains how slavery has been with us for centuries. The enslaved people included all ethnicities, colors, and nationalities. Some people cite the Bible … Continue reading →

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New Artistic Memberships

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Allen Mesch

I am pleased to announce that I have been accepted for membership in two North Texas artistic organizations. I am now a member of the Writers Guild of Texas and the Plano Art Association. The Writers Guild of Texas is … Continue reading →

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There Are Monsters Among Us

Posted on February 8, 2026 by Allen Mesch

“But these weren’t the kind of monsters that had tentacles and rotting skin, the kind a seven-year-old might be able to wrap his mind around–they were monsters with human faces, in crisp uniforms, marching in lockstep, so banal you don’t … Continue reading →

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Coercion or Compassion

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Allen Mesch

The national conflict between ICE agents and protesters inspired me to paint the following painting. The actions of ICE are contrary to our First Amendment right of free speech and lawful assembly. The photographs of ICE agents attacking innocent citizens … Continue reading →

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From Battlefields to Oilfields

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Allen Mesch

Description From the discovery of oil at the Drake well in Titusville in 1859 to Ida Tarbell’s 1909 article about how Northern women “met the experience of war,” there has been a connection between the American oil and gas industry … Continue reading →

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Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Allen Mesch

I thought that I would gather some quotes by Reverend King to celebrate MLK Day on January 19, 2026. As I collected Dr. King’s words, I was struck by how many are relevant today as they were during his lifetime. … Continue reading →

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Viewing Recommendations

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Allen Mesch

I recommend two new movies that are based on past events, but are as relevant today as they were then. The first is Nuremberg. It describes events during the 1940s trials of the chief Nazi war criminals. Nuremberg is a … Continue reading →

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