Two news items today, June 8th, got my immediate attention. Former Kansas resident Allison Ficke-Ekren pleaded guilty to leading an ISIS women’s battalion. A former teacher, she converted to Islam and left the U.S. She has been training women and girls (including her...
Far be it for me to say or write anything that would glorify war. I’m not a pacifist, but probably an “almost one.” I regularly read the newspaper and listen to the news find out what is going on in Ukraine. The war there has the attention of the world. Most everyone...
Some time ago Life magazine carried an essay and picture series entitled “Strange Birds That Cannot Fly." The article tells the fascinating story of a group of strange-looking birds, with curious names like kiwi and cassowary and emu, which constitute one of the great...
In The Old Man and the Sea Hemingway tells one of the most captivating sea adventure stories ever written. It’s the tale of an old man’s ordeal with a big fish far out at sea. In one dramatic moment the huge fish jumps out of the water to show his gigantic self to the...
“Free speech” is one of the “hallowed” hallmarks of our political system. It is the basis upon which open debate rests and wrestles. Language matters. The Pro-Choice Caucus knows this. They recently sent out to Democratic Congress members messaging materials on the...
Russia’s devastating war against Ukraine has gotten our attention. The TV has made the extent of destruction and suffering vivid. The death and suffering is bringing “Crimes Against Humanity” charges against President Putin by governmental leaders. Recently the story...
I didn’t know it. The month of April is historically recognized as Second Chance Month. It is so designated to raise public awareness about giving those who have been convicted of crimes and have completed their prison sentences the opportunity for an honest second...
Suicide. The word itself carries difficult-to-name feelings…pain, shame, disbelief, gnawing questions. Professionals who deal with it in an ongoing way recently referred to it as an epidemic of hopelessness, a mental health crisis. Last year high school students...