Recent Ethics Commentaries

Featured image for “A Shepherd with a Spine”
A Shepherd with a Spine
Beginning Monday, I’ll be highlighting five U.S. Presidents who–when confronted with defining choices–led with integrity instead of expedience. These presidents didn’t just occupy the Oval Office; they embodied the values that give leadership its true meaning. Their choices remind us that integrity is not a political strategy—it’s a standard. Today, however, I begin with a new global leader—one who speaks...
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May 11, 2025
Featured image for ““Controlled by a Dictatorship.””
“Controlled by a Dictatorship.”
I’ve never posted a story in its entirety from another source—until now. Last night’s 60 Minutes episode, titled “The Rule of Law,” is so vital to understanding where the country stands for both Republicans and Democrats at this moment that I feel a responsibility to share it with you in full. I could simply summarize or provide highlights, but I...
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May 5, 2025
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In this Moment
John F. Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage highlighted eight U.S. senators who defied party pressure and public opinion to do what they believed was right. Today, in stark contrast, we face a political landscape where courage has been relegated to the history books, and truth is too often replaced by rationalizations. A reckless president is dismantling the norms and values that...
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May 2, 2025
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The Quiet Strength of Pope Francis
I liked Francis—a lot. How could you not? He spoke plainly, with sincerity and purpose—and people listened. His words weren’t wrapped in rhetoric; they were rooted in truth. In a time when power is too often confused with principle, Pope Francis led with something far more enduring… character. From the start, Francis made it clear that his papacy would be...
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April 23, 2025
Featured image for “The Quiet Conscience of Justice Potter Stewart”
The Quiet Conscience of Justice Potter Stewart
Today’s Supreme Court is mired in partisanship and shadow rulings, where politics too often outweigh principle. Public trust continues to deteriorate for an institution meant to stand as a pillar of independence and impartial justice. In contrast, former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart understood the difference between what the law allows and what ethics demands. His quiet integrity reminds us...
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April 16, 2025
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While America Burns
While Americans struggle to make ends meet, while school boards face threats for doing their jobs, while democracy itself stands on a knife’s edge, Donald Trump retreats to his private clubs. It’s not that he plays golf—it’s what he walks away from. It’s the fire he leaves raging behind him, the chaos he continues to stoke, and the willful neglect...
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April 7, 2025
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Senator Booker’s Call to Conscience
In 1950, Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine stood alone on the Senate floor and delivered what would become one of the most courageous speeches in American political history. At a time when fear and smear were the tools of the day, she called out the reckless accusations and bullying tactics of Senator Joseph McCarthy. The Senate, she said, had...
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March 31, 2025
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The Choice is Still Ours
In 1951, The Day the Earth Stood Still delivered a stark warning: humanity’s survival depends on its ability to overcome fear and embrace cooperation. More than 70 years later, that message remains as relevant as ever. The film’s central conflict—whether we choose peace or succumb to fear—mirrors the choices we face in today’s political and cultural landscape. The film tells...
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March 24, 2025
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Why I Write So Much About Trump
Several times, I’ve been asked why I spend so much time writing about President Donald Trump. Two reasons (I’ll get to the second later): So many of his actions go far beyond the pale of ethical propriety. It’s not just that the lines are crossed, it’s how shamelessly they’re erased. Let’s focus on one issue: a conflict of interest. It’s...
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March 21, 2025
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When Fear Dictates Policy
“The mob is easily deceived, for it judges by appearances.” Aristotle’s words speak to a dangerous flaw in human nature: how easily fear can be stoked, trust compromised, and institutions dismantled from within. In 1947, amid growing fears of communist influence, President Harry Truman issued an executive order authorizing a “loyalty investigation of every person entering civilian employment” in the...
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March 19, 2025