Recent Commentaries

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“…to make ourselves better”
“Individual faults and fragilities are no excuse to give in, and no exemption from the common obligation to give of ourselves. Today, more than ever before, I believe that each of us as individuals must not only struggle to make a better world, but to make ourselves better, too….” – Senator Edward M. Kennedy, speech at JFK School of Government,...
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December 28, 2018
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Homeless but Not Helpless
In a time of domestic chaos and conflict, CBS On the Road correspondent Steve Hartman updates his yearly story about Secret Santa… with twist, (Dec. 14). “A lot of people ignore the homeless, but folks rushing past Moses Elder might regret their haste. This week, all people had to do was pay him some attention and he would pay them...
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December 21, 2018
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$2 Million, $100 at a Time
Repeated every year by CBS News’ reporter Steve Hartman, this is one story of character and compassion I never get tired of. One very wealthy and very grateful gentleman travels the country and hands out $100 to individuals in need. CBS News cameras capture the reaction on the recipients year after year. However, Hartman explains how it all began. “The...
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December 19, 2018
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Just in Time for Christmas!
No, it’s not the latest Hallmark Christmas movie. It’s a new game from Parker Brothers that you and the whole family can be engaged and enraged in this holiday season. You know there’s a culture shift in the zeitgeist when toy company Hasbro — through it’s Parker Brothers division — announces a new version of the venerable Monopoly board game,...
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December 17, 2018
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On the Side of Hope
In 2017, the United Nations convened a conference which resulted in The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. In 2017, the Nobel committee awarded The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons – better known as ICAN – its coveted Peace prize for their work leading to the U.N.’s goal. Who is ICAN? ICAN is a coalition of more than...
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December 14, 2018
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Is This A Good Time to Talk About Civility?
P.M. Forni, the early Italian Literature professor who asked all of us to choose civility, died earlier this month at his Maryland home. As a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University, Forni help found The Civility Project whose aim was to examine the importance of civility in society, and promote its practice on college campuses and communities around the country....
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December 12, 2018
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The Alarm is Sounding
In 1982, Dr. David Krieger founded The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation to be a driving force in abolishing all nuclear weapons from the planet. When it comes to peace and disarmament, Krieger says, “the people must lead their leaders.” Recently, Krieger wrote a ten-point message aimed at the next caretakers of the planet. “Our generation has caused and witnessed a...
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December 10, 2018
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7 Lessons from the Life of George H.W. Bush
Looking back on his life and presidency, George H. W. Bush made decisions consistent with specific ethical values. Here are seven illustrations. 1: Nice Guys Don’t Finish Last (Respect, Compassion) – Bush was always respectful. Even in the political fray, he never ridiculed or berated opponents. He also understood how others felt and went above and beyond to support them....
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December 7, 2018
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American Leadership
Words of tribute for our 41st president, George H.W. Bush, continue to lead the news. Generous. Humble. Caring – a president who favored consensus over partisanship; “His kindness and civility cloaked a competitiveness,” son Jeb Bush and close friend James A. Baker III write in The Washington Post (Dec. 4). “The two of us never met a man as remarkable...
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December 5, 2018
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Character and Leadership
“America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle.”      – George H.W. Bush, 41st U.S. President There are people in our lives who, despite not personally knowing, cause you to feel connected to them. It comes through their words and their character. President George H.W. Bush was that kind of man and president. And you can...
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December 1, 2018