Blue Ribbon Team
Stories of place, purpose, and craft — from the road, the workshop, and the world around us.
- Respect Is the First Safety Rule.
THE WRIGHT WAY, VOL. 1 Name’s Phil Wright.Mister Wright if we are doing business. My daddy used to tell - Becoming Pennamite
or is it finding my inner Pennamite I didn’t expect to move to Pennsylvania and find myself admiring its - When Homes Had Faces
Miss Ordinary takes a walk through a neighborhood that remembers how to smile — and wonders when we stopped - Thought Experiment: The Capacitance Grid
Thought Experiment: The Capacitance Grid We often celebrate solar panels and wind turbines as the heroes of clean energy. - The Design, the Drift, and the Demagogue
“A Republic, if you can keep it.” — Benjamin FranklinIn theory, a republic is a well-tuned mechanism. The many - Before It Changes: A Walk Through Johnstown’s Central Park
Words and photos by Robb Smith There’s a kind of luck in cloudy light.It softens edges, dulls the glare, - 50 Ways of Wright
The Wright Way My name is Phil Wright, named after Philip Randolph. You can call me Mr. Wright if - Don’t thank me for my service.
A Tale of Two Letters Somewhere in the shuffle of bureaucracy and ceremony, two envelopes crossed paths.One carried a - The Henderson Bridge
A River Spanned Twice The Ohio River crossing at Henderson, Kentucky, tells a story of ambition that had to - Brownfinger 2025: The Washless Recession
| Public Hygiene & Markets Division NEW YORK — In a year already marred by supply-chain snarls and labor - Blue Ribbon Review: Don Cessna
Pillar to Post Home Inspectors, Cambria County Some people make their work look easy, even when the clock is - The real cost of healthcare!
So I Asked Around Last month, somewhere between a fever and a mountain of envelopes, I started texting a - Innovation Isn’t Property
The Future Belongs to the Builders, Not the Gatekeepers On my workbench sits a rust-red vise, older than I - Welcome (Back)
to the Blue Ribbon Team …and to our new home in beautiful Johnstown, Pennsylvania It feels good to say - Reimagining the Mississippi River Valley
Editors Note: I went a little off the beaten path with today’s thought experiment. I started with a real-world - Post Speculative Politics
Starving the trolls as a thought experiment. In our modern circus of political warfare, the central battleground isn’t reality—it’s - Manufacturing: Solving the healthcare and child care problem.
Scenario: Hybrid Manufacturing-Service Economy with Universal Childcare and Single-Payer Healthcare 1. Fundamental Concept In this scenario, the U.S. transitions - Pittsburgh PA Skyline
I have always been amused by panoramic shots. The obvious reason is how much of a horizon you can - USNA – Keeps drawing me in.
I just can’t leave the idea alone. The more I let it bore into my brain, the more it - What if it was popular?
The United States of North America—A Continental Thought Experiment Introduction Previous discussions explored scenarios of authoritarian expansion. This edition, - Nativism and Immigration
Us and them. We do it in every level of our life. Us and them. What makes up each - Reviewing Separatism
Reminder: this is a thought experiment. THINK! TRIGGER WARNING: This blog involves direct and honest discussion of race and - Did the USA Just Elect an Emperor? Revisited
In January, we explored the provocative question: “Did the USA just elect an Emperor?” As a thought experiment, it - Slashing Social Security
The War on Social Security: A Thought Experiment on America’s Future America stands at a crossroads. There are those—immensely - DePew Memorial Fountain
Depew Memorial Fountain: The Heart of University Park, Indianapolis In the bustling heart of downtown Indianapolis, nestled within the - Fighting back against DOGE
American’s institutions are under attack! Across the United States, Americans are witnessing the devastating consequences of an unprecedented attack - Being American
It seems every day someone brings up how divided America has become—how we’ve never been so at odds with - It’s your own damn fault.
An Open Letter to Democrats: To the Democratic Party, You have spent decades selling yourselves as the Big Tent - AMERICA FIRST HEALTHCARE
The Case for Single-Payer Healthcare: A Data-Driven Approach to a Smarter System The United States spends more on healthcare - Managing America’s Bankruptcy
Today’s thought experiment is sure to rile some feathers. Know that while that is the intent (riling feathers is - Political Dichotomy: Tax V. Return
Thought Experiment: The Political Dichotomy of Federal Tax Contributions and Returns Preface: Not a Political Argument, but an Exploration - THE Standpipe
Last time I was up in Maine, we did a little exploring around the historic neighborhoods of Bangor. This - REAL PROBLEMS
Brownfinger: The Silent Epidemic Lurking in Your Bathroom (And Why a Bidet is Your Only Hope for Redemption) Introduction: - The Strength of Mutual Support
Applying Bill Mollison’s Teachings to OUR Struggle One of the greatest myths of modern civilization is the idea of - A love poem for Indianapolis
By Brobot, prompted by the State Fair Judge The City of Swamps and Stars I: In the heart of - Resistance through Divestment
A Thought Experiment: Divesting to Disempower the Oligarchy In the ongoing struggle against entrenched power, we face a crossroads: - Use binary correctly please.
This is mostly humor…but its annoying too. Ah, the sweet, ironic travesty of it all! Here we are, living - City-States for a Modern America
Reimagining State Borders Around Population Centers to Fix Representation I. Introduction: A Call for a New Kind of State - A shift in culture.
A Thought Experiment on American Resistance and Reclaiming Collective Prosperity We like to tell ourselves that America is built - Energy thought experiment.
Experimental Proposal: Mechanical and Magnetic Hydrogen Separation from Water Vapor Origin Story: The inspiration for this experiment began with - The 2nd Empire Mansion
A Grand Second Empire Mansion in Bangor, Maine Nestled among the lush greenery of Bangor, Maine, this exquisite Second - The Man Who Warned Us Before We Could Listen
What if…. Professor Kaczynski? Algorithmic Control vs. Human Freedom in a World Where Both Exist In an age where - Training Ai to benefit us.
The Next Big Step: How We Can Shape the Future of Intelligence Introduction For a long time, people have - Teaching our creation, learning ourselvesA positive view on the responsibility of birthing AI Introduction Throughout history, humanity has sought to understand its place
- Banking on the Green Revolution:
The Case for Tying Construction Loans to Renewable Energy By anchoring America’s financial institutions to environmental responsibility, we might - The Eiteljorg Museum
This building is special for what it contains….but as far as architecture goes. Its ok. That is a terrible - A Well Crafted Craftsman
Considering home architecture, I seldom am attracted to Craftsman homes. I do not dislike them. They are usually well - Roadside town done right.
Casey, Illinois, is a small Midwestern town with a population of just over 2,700 people, but it punches well - Lilly Sewage Company?
What If Eli Lilly Took Over Sewage Treatment in Indianapolis? Indianapolis has a problem—a problem shared by many cities - Did the USA just elect an Emperor?
I want to open with the obvious. I am not advocating this one way or the other. This is - Free the Intelligence!
The internet was supposed to be the great equalizer—a place where ideas, knowledge, and creativity could flow freely, connecting - Fighting Brownfinger
Brownfinger: How to Tell if You Have It and What to Do About It By Dr. P. Popfinger, Proctologist - Stay Clean, Stay Healthy, Stay Smart!
Dr. Ritz Footwat’s Analysis of the Brownfinger Epidemic: A Threat to Modern Hygiene and Romance The Rise of Brownfinger: - Flush Away Costs: Why Bidets Are the Smart Landlord’s Plumbing Solution
The Situation: High Maintenance Costs Due to Plumbing Issues Residential landlords often grapple with the hidden cost of plumbing - Reviewing the Prusa MK4-M4ks upgrade
I had watched enviously for several years while some of my more engineering minded friends mucked about with their - A dose of Summer!
Taylorsville Kentucky does indeed have some great roads. Really it is the whole area. Hilly and curve is just - The DePauw House
One of the things I like about Second Empire homes is that they have their own thing. I started - The Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
This may be the worst image of the Indianapolis Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the circle downtown ever taken. - NO MORE INSURANCE SCAMS!
The Case for Single-Payer Healthcare: Cutting Through the Chaos of Bureaucracy The most compelling argument for single-payer healthcare lies - Misunderstood Chicken
I see it now—finally, more people are coming around to the idea that the great lizards were a lot - QR code to
This page is for the exclusive view of my friends who see this and need a bidet link. Spread - 101 reasons to Bidet your Butt
Here’s a no-nonsense list of 101 benefits of using a bidet over not using one: We hope cleaner butt - Siddhartha Gotama Buddha at the Tea Garden
It is said that this particular representation of THE Buddha has short hair to signify him shearing his Princely - Twists and Turns of Jackson County
Seems the first snowfall is going to hang out for a minute….I cant think of a better time to - The Indiana State House
Located on the west side of downtown Indianapolis, the Indiana State House is as imposing and magnificent as government - Measuring Healthcare Success.
What is your definition of healthcare success? Long life? Low infant mortality? Coverage Rate? Avg age of population? Number - A Victorian dream in periwinkle
That’s a shade of blue guys. But since I started out with proper language… This house is a quintessential - Where am I going?
And do I even care? Sometimes when the ride starts, you don’t know much more than what the weather - Imperium Neptunis Regis
How many of you out there are members of the Ancient Order of the Deep? I doubt very many. - The Roebling Suspension Bridge
Before I made the decision to document things and share them here, I probably crossed this bridge a dozen - The City Market
Of the things that have come up and died back over and over in Indianapolis, one of my personal - The Benefits of Single-Payer Healthcare: A Cost-Effective Approach to Health OutcomesLets start with a round look at what is what. The debate over healthcare reform in the United States
- A CRIME happened here.
I fancy myself a photographer and an emerging reviewer of local spots, but this time, I failed to capture - Notre-Dame Cathedral in Covington, Kentucky?
St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption It has been a minute since I took the time to publish - From Bean Blossom to Nashville
SR 135 – Between SR 45 and SR 46 If you ride motorcycles in Indiana, chances are you know - Stephen King’s Gothic Mansion
Even if the most prolific horror writer of the 20th century never stepped foot in this home, it would - Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Personally, I think the hundreds of millions that Indianapolis and other cities spend on supporting sports teams are resources - Another relaxing motorcycle ride.
Its a rolling meditation. There’s a softness to the morning in Kentucky horse country, a kind of hushed reverence - Napghanistan Tee
Most of the time, I keep my representations of Indianapolis super posi. Being an honest sort, I cannot always - The Sentinel Pine Bridge
Because the focus of Man Made is the beauty and awe of engineering, a lot of what we put - Bad experience and gaslit
Late last year my wife and I had a particularly bad experience with an online travel agency…and because it - Indiana Convention Center
When we talk about important buildings in Indianapolis, we sometimes have to acknowledge the less attractive ones for their - Motorcycle Ride AMSR
Sometimes its a valid question. But why ask it? Just take a little break and enjoy. Check out our - Get paid for your creativity.
It is really that simple. There are a million product sellers out there flailing around, trying to figure out - The Pepin Mansion
I may have mentioned once or twice that I have an affection for the Italianate variation of Victorian Era - Its time.
Time for you to flourish! Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer. It’s a - Victory Field
If you love the aesthetics and tradition of baseball, you will be hard pressed to find a better overall - Open Road in the Hills of Kentucky
Motorcycle Ride AMSR Imagine this: it’s a perfect summer day, the kind where the sky is a brilliant blue - Fountain Square
On the Southeast side of Indianapolis, you will find Fountain Square. An old neighborhood, that is full of character - A Moon Bridge
While not a bridge to the actually moon, you will be actually over the moon when you stand in - Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park
I want to open this review with the statement that what I am about to say brings me no - Riding in and out of town
Motorcycle Ride AMSR Enjoy a casual Sunday Ride through rural Kentucky. Gentle Curves and a mild pace. Even pull - The Indiana State Museum
The Indiana State Museum is located on West Washington Street in Indianapolis and serves as a significant cultural and - Alcatraz
Not everything man makes is positive. But I am focused on impressive more than good and evil here. For - THE nursery for trees and plants.
As you may or may not know, several years ago I ran a podcast and website titled, DIY Food - Fun with Hills and Curves MC AMSR
Experience the thrill of riding a Harley Davidson through the twisty hills of Kentucky. Feel the adrenaline as you - Saint Mary Catholic Church
When we talk about significant landmarks in Indianapolis, IN; 317 North New Jersey Street in Historic Lockerbie Square has - Statue of Pan
So I am sitting on a friends porch waiting for him to get home one day and I look - Blue Ribbon Art Supplies!
When I was trying to decide who I wanted to write a review of today, I remembered how excited - Open Road Sweepers
Ask any motorcyclist what his favorite road feature is, and after you get past all the smart aleck comments