Between Comedy and a Cause

As a writer it can be difficult to walk the line between providing information and from being simply a promotion. Providing information to enlighten a segment of society to something worth paying attention to, for the benefit of many, or being an advertisement for it, thereby, becoming less journalistic, is the path I walk here. You…

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Words Between The Lines Of Age; where “The Daily Show” got it wrong

First of all, I don’t consider Jon Stewart one of the best political commentators of our time. I consider him thee best political commentator of our time. His mind is uniquely suited to frame complex issues with logical deductions from a common sense perspective and bring into focus the shortcomings and hypocrisies of policies and politicians.…

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Give me my binky!

Domestic violence is on the rise. So is bullying. So is murder in schools. The Centers for Disease Control cites several factors including “cultural norms that support aggression, anger, and lack of non-violent social problem solving skills.” It is easy to look around in our micro and macro worlds and see increased aggression. In my…

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Where The Tall Corn Grows

There was no surprise last night when Trump won 98 of 99 counties in Iowa. That result was carved by the proverbial winds of populism for years already. Trump’s popularity is the result of decades of rhetoric that has taken attention away from the real threats in American lives and turned it toward made up…

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A Christmas Story

I’d like to share a Christmas story. When my eldest son, Chris, was only 3, his mother and I were moving our family from Los Angeles to Iowa when we stopped by a restaurant, owned by a friend, on our way out of town. I had lost touch with Seth, the owner, for several years…

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Our Fall From Grace

Last Sunday before church a couple of parishioners were seated in the back. We are a small congregation and we all know each other but on this day they seemed a little shy. The woman had abrasions all over her face. Her partner quickly informed me “It wasn’t me!” as I was obviously concerned. We…

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Home Sweet Home

The weather is turning cold and my thoughts turn to those who do not have the security of a warm home. Locally, there is good news to report as thoughtful citizens have joined with the Hospitality House to open a new warming center that can give more homeless citizens some shelter from the brutal elements…

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7 Score and 18 years ago…

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln gave an address at the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield in order to reframe the cause of the Civil War. Of course, we all know of the eloquent 272-word Gettysburg Address that deserves its place as perhaps the most inspirational call to unite under a national purpose ever conceived. He…

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Giving Thanks

Here are a few things I am thankful for on my 66th celebration of Thanksgiving: First and foremost, I am thankful for the health of my children and for the opportunities that lie before them. Every day I am thankful that I became a father (and a stepfather) and am still, occasionally, called to duty…

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Swift Retribution

The other day I commented on a post that stated: “Taylor Swift should be mentioned in the same breath as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Paul McCartney as the greatest songwriters of the last 100 years.” I replied on the thread: “I like Taylor Swift (due to her recent socio-political stances and the fact that…

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