Once upon a time in Depression-era Maycomb, AL, a single father tries to explain to his young daughter why it is wrong to ridicule people who seem to be different than they are. Their neighbor is a … more

Long ago a close relative called Mother and said, “John and I just got married.” more

The title of this little essay is “Every man is a moon,” but the quotation does not end there. The rest of it states: “and has a dark side he never shows anyone.” Hidden thoughts lurk within. more

“Our abortion laws are designed to protect women,” say Republican legislators in Oklahoma and throughout the United States. more

“You’re no patriot!” one of my friends yelled at me the other day with that difficult-to-describe-but-unmistakable look on her face that said “I love you, but sometimes you can be a fool.” more

No, this history lesson is not about those brave men and women who risk their lives saving others and putting out dangerous fires. It is about a group who earned that title for doing just the opposite of real fire-fighters. They gained notoriety leading up to the Civil War and afterwards because of their radical pro-slavery efforts and for being uncompromising secessionists. They “set fires” verbally with their hostile speeches, writings, and activities. more

I have a new hero, a state senator in Michigan named Mallory McMorrow. more

In real estate as in literature, it is important to remember location, location, location. Literature is a reflection of life, varied and wonderfully diverse. So when politicians and parents complain about “bad” words and “unpleasant” situations found in school library books, one must wonder if context has been considered. more

Previous columns have explored the possibility of using two events as models for efforts to promote greater unity in our nation: Citizen University’s Civic Saturday and Rotary International’s Camp Ryla. more

The March 24th column (“A Model for Revitalizing Our Democratic Spirit”) dealt with a real-world project, Civic Saturday, as a model for meetings to further unity and patriotism among Americans. The Civic Saturday project is modeled after church services with singing, reading, and what we might call “patriotic sermons” in a session of one or two hours one day every week or so. more

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is shocking in its brutality, but it came as no surprise. Biden had been sharing US intelligence to warn our allies for weeks of what was coming; all the while, Putin was fiercely denying it. more

An article in the March 24 issue (“A model for revitalizing our democratic spirit”) offers an opportunity for local civic clubs and other groups to do their part in something that is greatly needed in today’s world—celebrating our nation, the United States of America. more

A group of people still believe we did not land men on the moon, claiming it was just Hollywood special effects. Others say Elvis is alive and hiding somewhere. Multitudes believe climate change is a hoax. more

Elizabeth Willing Powel waited anxiously outside the door of the Pennsylvania State House. The delegates from the colonies had been working from May 25 until September 17, 1787, debating and writing a constitution. As Benjamin Franklin appeared from the door, she asked him, “What have we got, Doctor Franklin, a Republic or a Monarchy?” Franklin answered, “A Republic…if you can keep it.” more

A morning alarm chimes at seven. There are dogs and diva cats to feed. Coffee is set to brew. In the early chill, prayers are whispered. Decisions are easily made about breakfast, cereal or toast. Beds are straightened, and laundry is thrown in the washing machine. more

Health care is always changing, brought on by scientific breakthroughs, technological advancements, government regulation and reform. But there is one constant: physicians still shoulder the ultimate responsibility for a patient’s care whether it be in the emergency room, on the operating table or in a clinic. From the days of Hippocrates, doctors held the fate of their fellow human beings in their hands – and certainly in their hearts. more

I have written quite a few columns about capitalizing on the sense of unity that the Ukrainian war has brought to the people of the United States. Although there is still significant disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over some issues, the two parties both support Ukraine and have approved large blocks of funding. more

The Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump is killing our trust in each other. Many die-hard Trump fans like Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and Marjorie Taylor Greene keep fanning the flame. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) is now telling his supporters that they “all need to be storing up some ammunition” to respond if elections “continue to be stolen.” more

I had a dream (I think it’s for all of us). more

Those of us old enough to have lived through the Vietnam War era remember Peter, Paul, and Mary singing “Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing.” I would like to change the lyrics slightly to, “Where has all the kindness gone? Long time passing. Where has compassion gone? Long time ago.” more