The conflict over basic questions of equality and human rights was stoked a bit hotter last week with Pope Francis’ seemingly radical statement that LGBTQ people have a right to be in a family. Pope Francis’ statement came out in the documentary “Francesco,” released on Wednesday. “Homosexual people have a right to be in a … Continue reading To achieve equality, we must step forward — not just to the side
I am pro-choice because I am pro-life
In a contentious election season, and in the middle of Supreme Court nomination hearings, it was almost inevitable my daughter would ask me that dreaded question: “Dad, what are your views on abortion?” I wanted to give her a clean and easy answer. But there is none. For her, and for you, this is the … Continue reading I am pro-choice because I am pro-life
A week of death, injustice and unreasonable hope
Do you sometimes feel there’s little hope on the other side of 2020? This week was certainly a week to feel that way. Our nation this week surpassed 200,000 deaths due to COVID-19. According to a study by Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. is now sixth out of 195 nations for those most-affected by the … Continue reading A week of death, injustice and unreasonable hope
On Patriot Day, let us embrace true patriotism
Nineteen years ago this morning, our country, our society and our view of the world were, perhaps irreparably, altered. On that September morning, I was in the Combat Information Center (CIC) of the guided missile destroyer USS Porter, pierside in Norfolk, Va. We had just started a simulated combat scenario when the captain came over … Continue reading On Patriot Day, let us embrace true patriotism
We need America’s women to dominate the polls, and save our future
Tuesday was the centennial of women’s suffrage, and there has been no year in which it’s more important for women to exercise that right than 2020. The bloody fight it took women to get to the 19th Amendment, and the continuing fight for equality, should be commemorated. Today, 57 years after the Equal Pay Act, … Continue reading We need America’s women to dominate the polls, and save our future
We must speak, and act, before it is too late
I spent the summer of 1993 in Syria as a Malcolm Kerr Scholar with the National Council on U.S.-Arab relations. My time there was spent learning about the Syrian people, their government and the many reasons I was glad to live in a free republic and not under the cruel Assad regime. It did not … Continue reading We must speak, and act, before it is too late
Declaring independence from mythological America
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress declared independence from Britain. Two days later, they approved the draft we know as the Declaration of Independence. The document was first presented to the public on July 8, and it wasn’t until Aug. 2 that most of the signatories put their names to the document. We lump … Continue reading Declaring independence from mythological America
The great honor of being a threat to this president
For journalists, angry calls, thinly veiled threats, even outright threats, are a perverse kind of compliment. It’s not that we want to receive vitriolic, often drunken, screeds or threats. And, FYI — threatening people is illegal. But, when someone is opposed enough to the free expression of a free press to get hammered and leave … Continue reading The great honor of being a threat to this president
Black Lives Matter and the Power of Mary’s Song
I had the opportunity to attend a beautiful and inspiring Black Lives Matter rally at Government Springs Park in Enid, Okla., on Saturday, with my wife Tammy. We have attended several of these events in recent weeks -- a youth march, an NAACP-sponsored march and rally, and a grassroots protest at city hall. All of … Continue reading Black Lives Matter and the Power of Mary’s Song
It’s time to realize the promises of Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a day of celebration, and should be for all Americans. But, for white Americans, Juneteenth also should be a day of penitence, of commitment to change, and of reaching out in empathy and love to those who have been marginalized and oppressed to enable our privilege. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery, and … Continue reading It’s time to realize the promises of Juneteenth
