“Cowardice asks the question – is it safe? Expediency asks the question – is it politic? Vanity asks the question – is it popular? Conscience asks the question – is it right?” Mazin Qumsiyeh, my human rights mentor said this in 2008. I have never forgotten it. Hello? Are you there? Good. Because you […]
A Most Beautiful Ave
March 20, 2017 by Leave a Comment
This is part of Franco Zeffirelli’s “Jesus of Nazareth.” The story line: 14 year old Mary travels to see her Aunt Elizabeth to tell her she is to be the mother of “the savior of the world.” Wonder upon wonders, Elizabeth is 9 months pregnant with the child who will become John the Baptist. Oh […]
Ignorance is Bliss
March 11, 2017 by Leave a Comment
You’ve heard people say it. You’ve probably even said it yourself. Here’s the thing though. Ignorance is anything but bliss. Ignorance is intelligence ignored. You know what’s bliss? A very low IQ is bliss. If you have a very low capacity for new knowledge you will be unable to comprehend what’s going on around you. […]
Let’s Honor the REAL Martin Luther King
January 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
We like to remember MLK as a hero, a man revered by all except a few white supremacist jerks. Well. Here’s what I want to say about that. Way too few Americans thought of him as a hero in 1968. Not that he wasn’t worthy of it. I heard him give a talk in upper […]
Can This Be Church?
January 16, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Bet you never thought church could be like this. Here you are nourished and thrilled by a full orchestra played by seasoned and professional instrumentalists. I know. That happens in lots of churches today but here’s the thing. Most of these instruments are played by members of the congregation. Yes. I did say most of […]
Aslan, A Lion Roars (with a big smile on his face)
January 15, 2016 by 1 Comment
Reza Aslan says we progressive thinkers need to own up to the part we’ve played in the number of wackos running for President this year. Watch a few minutes of this video and you’ll learn that many of us simply dismiss conservatives out of hand as being “low information, uneducated, even ignorant.” Aslan clearly shows […]
A Senator For All Of Us
November 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
If you’ve about given up on our political system, watch this video. If you thought politicians are “all about the money, all the time,” watch this video. I’m pretty sure you’ll be glad you did. Ben Sasse is the kind of principled Senator we used to expect all of them to be. Here he is […]
All The Women Are Strong
September 23, 2015 by 5 Comments
Do You Know This Woman? If you are, or have ever been a wife and/or a mother you will immediately say “yes, of course I do.” She is strong and good. And she has absolutely no problem being her best, unreservedly compassionate, fully human self. These are qualities we men, even when we know we […]
Another Prophetic Gem From Donna
August 3, 2015 by Leave a Comment
I’m unabashedly using this blog to forward Donna Schaper’s latest piece to you in its entirety. In the past I’ve mentioned something she has said or written and offered my own thoughts. I’m not doing that now because, very simply, her message here needs nothing added. And anything I might say would be a distraction. […]