If you want to know a nation’s values, just look at its budget. There really is no better measure of our values than how we spend our money. And the president’s proposed FY20 budget tells quite a tale of his values. It’s nothing new for Republicans and Democrats to have different fiscal views. But, … Continue reading Caligula vs. conservatism: The ‘values’ of the president’s budget
Political Commentary
We need to get back to 41’s finer virtues
America has been mourning this week — mourning the loss of something far greater than any one man. There is plenty to mourn in the passing of George Herbert Walker Bush. By almost any objective measure, he was a family man of abiding faith who dedicated his life to serving our nation. In his … Continue reading We need to get back to 41’s finer virtues
Climate change: Making Earth “bad but manageable” again
I admit it. I like post-apocalyptic drama. If you’ve seen one of these shows, you’ve seen them all. The remnants of humanity end up living in the raped wasteland that’s left of God’s creation, fighting among themselves over dwindling resources. These tales are a dark diversion in movies and the pages of novels. They’re far … Continue reading Climate change: Making Earth “bad but manageable” again
After the midterms — where to from here?
The midterms are over, leaving party faithful from both sides crowing and crying over their respective wins and losses. Democrats flipped the House, yielding historic gains for women, Muslim and LGBT candidates. Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate, proving 2016 wasn’t just a fluke, and a significant portion of America is drawn to our … Continue reading After the midterms — where to from here?
Focusing on our common bonds in Christ
Christians have worked for 500 years to break up and diminish the Body of Christ. From the wars of Reformation and Counter-Reformation to centuries of hatred, persecution and misunderstanding between our various (and many) denominations, Christianity over the last half-millennium has struggled to be a cohesive faith with a unified message. We’ve made great strides … Continue reading Focusing on our common bonds in Christ
The spirit of Thomas Becket
Today, Dec. 29th, marks the 847th anniversary of the death of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, protector of the Church, martyr for the faith and saint. The feast day of St. Thomas Becket is worthy of remembrance in its own right, but in today's atmosphere of American politics and the mix of Church and political … Continue reading The spirit of Thomas Becket
Loyalty in the House of Trump
Dogs, The Mooch, and a Reluctant Mr. Kelly: Loyalty in the Trump era There has been a lot of talk lately of loyalty. This virtue-turned-vice has been greatly elevated in the public’s view with every Twitter blast from our president bemoaning how little loyalty he receives from his advisers, his party, his … … Continue reading Loyalty in the House of Trump
James R. Neal 