A space for observation, discovery, and growth
Two of the Three Merit Disgust and Disdain; One Owes Us Answers; 0.5 are Lonely
Beware the Temptation to Stereotype
In a time of national division, it is easy – tempting – to think of those with whom we disagree as all being alike. It will not be a shock to readers of this blog that I am not a fan of what now passes for the Republican party. But that does not mean that I see all Republican officials and office holders as the same. In my mind, they fall into 3,
Let’s Acknowledge Political and Physical Courage When We See It
Who Rises to the Challenge?
Fate, history if you will, has a way of calling on people at inconvenient times. One day, you are just minding your own business, the next you are thinking about risking everything. Funny how that happens. It is endlessly fascinating to watch how this plays out, as it does, every day, all around the world, in large and small venues. For me, the quote from Dr. King at the start of this blog post says it all.
What separates those who rise from those who fall short is most often the failure to ask the final question in the quote.
I have a Question
You May Have Heard What the Bishops are Up to of Late
American Catholic bishops recently took a drastic step. They went on record, by a hefty margin, recommending that local catholic authorities withhold the sacrament of the Eucharist for President Biden. The wording is more general, but everyone recognizes Biden is the target. They will decide in November on doing this or not.
Just to remind, the Eucharist (Communion) is ritual the church believes channels divine grace. It takes inspiration from the Last Supper. Participants consume bread and wine.
Join the discussion at: Psst! Hey, Catholic Bishops – Can We Talk?
No, It’s Not the Word “Shots”
Looking for Balance – or Choosing Not to Do So
It should be fairly obvious that questions around gun ownership and vaccinations touch on major issues of personal liberty and community responsibility. Not either – both. And yet, the debate has been so long and so rancorous on one of these (guns), that people tend to move immediately to an all or nothing position. Given the divisions in the nation in the post Trump era, the same thing has quickly come to the arguments about requiring or expecting vaccinations.
Join the discussion at: Ever Notice That Guns and Inoculations Have Something in Common?
Love is a Complicated Thing – with a Person or a Country
America – Love It or Leave It
Remember that phrase? It was not a new sentiment, but the phrase became part of the national lexicon during the Nixon era. The national divisions over the Vietnam war had developed into a broader national division. Nixon and Agnew fanned the divisions and that phrase got repeated (most often, got yelled) a lot.
The implication, of course, was that any criticism of the country, and by extension of the government, was wrong and was unpatriotic.
Join the discussion at: You Say You Love Your Country? OK – Let’s See What That Means
Fortunately, We Finally Have an Administration Who Gets It
Who is Doing This?
It appears three groups are doing the dirty deed.
One is plain old-fashioned criminals, out to make a buck whenever and wherever they can. These groups are truly international now, as well as domestic. The sad reality is that this sort of crime in not all that hard to carry out and it is hard to stop or trace (more on that later). Suffice it to say there is an abundance of low-life types getting into this arena.
Join the discussion at: How Bad is This Ransomware Thing? Worse Than You Ever Imagined.
There is a Lot Going On. Let’s Poke Around a Bit
A Time of Transitions
We are always in a state of transition, but that seems especially true now. A new administration is settled in, the Middle East is heating up yet again. We have come from the worst pandemic record in the world to one of the best. Exiting and possible game changers are popping up in technology. And more. So, here we go.
The Biden Administration Settles In
This is about as good a start-up phrase I have ever seen. The team Biden selected is stellar and they hit the ground running.
How NOT to Solve a Problem – And Lessons for the Rest of Us
Why Comment on This Now?
Goodness knows, everyone has a column about the conflict in recent days, but I felt compelled to add my two cents worth for a number of reasons. This has major moral, political, and security implications for a lot of people, including us. And lessons to be learned, if we will.
I visited Israel and Lebanon some years ago. I came back more depressed and worried than when I arrived. What I saw,
Join the discussion at: This Blog Began Because of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
So, How are They Measuring Up on Our To-Do List?
Our Hopes in Early 2020
We had no idea in the JAN-MAR 2020 timeframe who would be the US President by this time. We hoped it would be just about anyone except He Whose Name Shall Not Be Spoken. With that hope in mind, this blog listed, over a period of the first quarter of 2020, a set of goals that we hoped a new administration would pursue. One list was of legislative goals, the other a list of political reforms.
Join the discussion at: A Year Ago, We Set Out Benchmarks for a New Administration
Higher Education: Public, Private, and Community Institutions
Tell Me Again -Why are We Having This Conversation?
Education is one of those things people tend to get excited about if they have family members engaged in the education system or they hear of some scandal afoot. But otherwise, it fades in the background for many of us. That is a mistake.
Education arguably does more than almost any other element in shaping success or failure for millions of people. It is – or is not- the gateway to opportunity.
