All cops are _____. All Wall Street bankers are _____. All Mexicans are _____. All liberals are _____. You fill in the blank. Actually, please don’t. “All” is an ugly word. It’s naked prejudice. In the past few years, I’ve seen too many people assign labels to groups and call them derogatory names. It’s easy to… [Read More]
Building Bridges: We’re In This Together
Dear Tax Man,
I don’t mind paying taxes, but I have a bone to pick with you. First let me say, I understand that it costs money to run the government, and we each have a responsibility to contribute to that end. But… I’m not sure that you remember how hard it is to earn a buck. Many… [Read More]
Is It News or Propaganda?
Why is the world so polarized? It might be because it’s hard to reach consensus when people have conflicting priorities and/or opposing values. It’s also difficult, if not impossible, to debate serious issues if our views are shaped by contradictory facts –– facts deliberately distorted by the news media. Ask yourself, “How is it possible… [Read More]
11 Traits of a Fair-Minded Person
Why? (Many questions, few answers)
Do you ever find yourself questioning what’s happening in the world today? (I thought so.) I continue to ask myself why? Here are a few things that puzzle me. Why do we marvel at celebrity “role models,” but scold our kids for imitating their behavior? Why do we hear about Rose Garden spending bills, but… [Read More]
The Poisoning of Our Minds
I watch the killing that’s taking place around the world and ask myself why? How can someone be so intolerant that they can kill another person over their beliefs? How can someone be so angry that they’re willing to take the life of an innocent child to advance a cause? How can someone be so confused… [Read More]
Dear Mr. President
Like me, many Americans are awakened at night by anxiety: We’re worried about the future, whether we’ll have jobs tomorrow, whether our families are safe, how the debt and deficit will affect our country’s global competitiveness, and about the world that we’re leaving to our children. While health care, the deficit, nuclear proliferation, and unemployment… [Read More]