Dear Hillary, You should sit down for this, there are some things that need to be said and you aren’t going to like it. First, you should know that I voted for you in 2016. I did so without a sense of excitement. Truth be told, you would have been one of the last people for whom I’d have chosen to vote, were it not for the fact that you were running against the last person on my list. It’s not that... Read more
The debate over universal healthcare has been raging for years. The topic has been a red hot focal point in the last few elections. One of President Obama’s keystone achievements was the passage of the ACA (more commonly called “Obamacare”). While always controversial and certainly not without its flaws, it can’t be argued that millions of formerly uninsured Americans finally got insurance coverage under that new policy. Late night talkshow host, Jimmy Kimmel, made headlines recently when he told the... Read more
The world needs game changers. Game changers bring a new energy to a problem. They tackle it head on. They work with others to advance society. They take what is good in society and build upon it. They construct. Lately, I’ve been looking for game changers but I am finding only changers of the game. By way of a couple of examples… In 2012, one of the races that gained national attention for Indiana in that election was the highly contentious... Read more
We’re a lot alike, you and I. We are made of the same stuff. Science would tell us that our DNA makes us nearly identical, chemically. But you and I could not be more unique. You and I can listen to the same song, but we might hear different music. You and I can read the same book and be moved to different emotions. You and I can witness the same story on the nightly news and come away jeering... Read more
It is, famously, the shortest verse in the Bible, two simple words–Jesus wept. You wouldn’t think there is a great deal to be said in two short words but, in this case, there is a significant message. I have heard a few sermons preached on this passage. In fact, I heard a good one just today. Normally, the point made about this verse is that it illuminates the human nature of Christ as he is moved to tears when he sees the grieving family... Read more
Fifty seems to be a significant number. It is important enough to merit “golden status” when we commemorate the 50th anniversary of something. This is my 63rd blog posting and I happen to be writing it on my 50th birthday. When I type the words my 50th birthday, the number 50 takes on a whole other feel. It feels like a big number. It also feels like a place to reflect and share some random thoughts that have been banging around in my... Read more
Before we go anywhere, let’s get one thing straight right off the top; the point of what I am about to lay out is not about the money. I repeat–it’s not about the money. Ok, with that understanding, let’s go on. Indiana recently moved to begin paying teachers performance bonuses. The amounts teachers earn, or don’t earn, are figured using a formula based on their districts’ scores on the controversial ISTEP test. Essentially, the payouts are calculated not unlike grading on “the... Read more
When Donald Trump was elected President, quite a few people asked me which former POTUS he most brought to my mind. I didn’t hesitate for a moment. The obvious answer to the question was our 7th president, Andrew Jackson. So, it came as no surprise to me that Mr. Trump decided to decorate the oval office with a portrait of Jackson. It should probably be noted that most presidents in modern times would shy away from being compared to Jackson... Read more
Ever heard of David Rice Atchison? Unless you are a real history nerd, I doubt it. I was reminded of him recently when I saw an article pop up on Facebook about a man who was “president for a day” so naturally, I looked into it. I had read a little about Atchison and his role in the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the subsequent “Bleeding Kansas” era. But I had never heard tell of his supposed role as president for a day.... Read more
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This Little Light of Mine
For anyone who grew up in a church-going household, it is likely one of the first songs you ever learned. This little light of mine, I”m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine… Hide it under a bushel? NO! I’m gonna let it shine… The point of the song is to let the light of... Read more