Welcome to Grumpy Writes

I’ve always believed that stories find us when we’re ready to tell them. Some come wrapped in nostalgia, some in laughter, and others in heartache. For me, writing has been a late-in-life revelation—a way to share the moments that matter, the lessons learned, and the humor tucked between the cracks of everyday life.

Grumpy Writes is where all of that comes together. It’s a place for stories—some funny, some heartfelt, some a little bit of both. Whether it’s a song idea inspired by a long drive, a reflection on the past, or a completely ridiculous take on life’s absurdities, you’ll find it here.

Expect everything from music, humor, heartfelt musings, politics, and a touch of Downeast Maine dry wit—all delivered with the perspective of a man who has lived a little, loved a lot, and isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself along the way. I won’t shy away from politics, but I’ll keep it honest, thoughtful, and grounded in real conversations, not just noise.

So, grab a cup of coffee (or something stronger), settle in, and let’s see where these stories take us. Welcome to Grumpy Writes—where every word comes with a little bit of attitude and a whole lot of heart.

Thank you,
Grumpy, aka Stephen Ango Oliver

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The Danger of Echo Chambers: Why We Need to Break Free

It’s easy to surround yourself with voices that tell you exactly what you want to hear. Whether you’re watching Fox News and scrolling Truth Social or flipping to MSNBC while scrolling Bluesky , you’re in an echo chamber. And while it feels good to have your beliefs reinforced, it’s also a trap—one that narrows your thinking, deepens divisions, and makes real conversation almost impossible. What’s an Echo Chamber, Anyway? An echo chamber is when you’re only exposed to opinions that match your own. Social media and news networks thrive on this—they keep you engaged by feeding you more of what you already agree with. Over time, you start believing your perspective is the only reasonable one, and anyone who disagrees must be clueless, brainwashed, or just plain wrong. Why That’s a Problem It Locks in Your Biases – If you never challenge your own thinking, you stop growing. It Fuels Division – The less you hear from “the other side,” the easier it is to see them as the enemy. It...

How Democratic Hyperbole is Costing Them Power and Donors

The Democratic Party has spent the better part of the last decade perfecting the art of outrage. Every election cycle, every Supreme Court ruling, every conservative policy has been met with the same hysteria: democracy is on the verge of collapse, Trump is a dictator, and America is teetering on the edge of fascism. But after years of breathless hyperbole, something is hap pening that Democrats didn’t see coming—people are tuning them out. Worse, their biggest donors are walking away. A recent New York Times article, “Venting at Democrats and Fearing Trump, Liberal Donors Pull Back Cash” (Feb. 16, 2025), lays out in devastating detail how Democratic fearmongering and dysfunction have led to a mass exodus of donor support. The small-dollar donors who poured millions into resisting Trump in 2017? They’ve checked out. The billionaire donors who have propped up progressive institutions for years? They’re either backing off or hedging their bets with Trump. A Party in Financial Fre...

The Problem with Negotiated Peace: How the Camp David Accords Did More Harm Than Good

The Camp David Accords are often held up as a shining example of diplomacy—proof that enemies can sit down, talk it out, and walk away with a deal that keeps everyone happy. But here’s the thing: real peace doesn’t come from compromise. It comes from victory. Had the war between Israel and Egypt run its course, had there been a clear winner and loser, the Middle East might look very different today. Instead, we got a “peace” agreement that did little more than hit pause on a fight that was bound to continue. And it has, in many different ways. And let’s be honest—this wasn’t about long-term peace. It was about President Jimmy Carter chasing a legacy. He wanted to be the great peacemaker, the man who ended war in the Middle East. He wanted that Nobel Peace Prize. But in doing so, he ignored the reality of the conflict, and in the end, his prize cost both Israeli and Arab lives. The Accords Didn’t End the Conflict—They Just Changed the Rules On the surface, the Camp David Accords looked ...

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