Recent Commentaries

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The Best Man?
I can’t figure out if Republican Rick Santorum is running for president or Pope. “One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country… It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.” (Oct. 2011)...
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February 29, 2012
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Teachers
The shameful release of New York’s public ranking of teachers by name caused me to think about the true influence teachers have on all of our lives. The dedication, inspiration, knowledge and influence of men and women given in such service has never been fully appreciated, or properly compensated. The best teachers I had were those that pushed, prodded, cheered,...
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February 27, 2012
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Who is Un-American?
In 1938, the United States House of Representatives authorized the formation of a Special House Committee on Un-American Activities, (HUAC). The committee was charged with investigating whether there existed communists in positions of power and/or influence, not only in the government, but in American society. The long-term consequences of what has been described as a “witch hunt” have sharply divided...
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February 24, 2012
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Arête
The Greeks called it arête. Traditionally translated as “virtue,” its central meaning is excellence. In the Iliad and the Odyssey, arête is applied to courage and strength, especially when exhibited in competition and this is one common dimension. But it’s more. An aspect of the value of responsibility, the pursuit of excellence, carries an ethical component when others count on our effectiveness at...
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February 22, 2012
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The Right Stuff
Washington and Lincoln could not have come from more different backgrounds. And yet, in spite of vast differences, both men not only attained the highest office in the land, but the admiration and respect of generations. Both consistently rank as the top two presidents by most scholars. While Lincoln was born dirt poor in Kentucky, Washington was born to a...
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February 20, 2012
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1962…
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair,...
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February 17, 2012
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One More
You never know where inspiration will come from. One of the great pleasures in teaching a class of motivated New Hampshire students about ethics are the many personal stories they share. The pre-class assignment was to answer the question derived from the book’s title: What do you stand for – what principles do you live by? Describe a moment of...
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February 15, 2012
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Mr. Eastwood’s Balls
Responses to my commentary It’s Confirmation Bias Time in America, about the political spinsmanship regarding Clint Eastwood’s Super Bowl ad, were all over the political map. From, “I Love Clint Eastwood” to “The message was the same: American Exceptionalism;” from, “We are going to Politically Correct ourselves out of existence,” to “It was disturbing to me and completely contrived.” However, one reader,  » Read...
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February 13, 2012
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February 2012 Ethical Hero – Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe of Native Americans was not only a responsible and caring chief to his tribe, but was, perhaps one of the most honorable leaders of peace. Not long after Joseph became chief, settlers began overrunning his land based on the treaty forced upon his people by the U.S. government. While he wanted to protect...
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February 12, 2012
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It’s Confirmation Bias Time in America
Who would think that a TV ad featuring Clint Eastwood giving America a pep talk would create so much political uproar? “I was, frankly, offended by it,” said Republican strategist Karl Rove. “I’m a huge fan of Clint Eastwood, I thought it was an extremely well-done ad, but it is a sign of what happens when you have Chicago-style politics, and...
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February 10, 2012