While I never served in the military, my 95-year old father served in World War II in a series of fierce battles in the Hürtgen Forest, a painful experience he has only spoken of once, even after he was awarded a Bronze Star. What follows is a story about another World War II soldier, Roddie Edmonds. The story is part...

“We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” — Oprah Winfrey Confederate statues are coming down. Quaker Oats is dropping Aunt Jemima from its maple syrup. Even the new streaming service, HBO Max, has withdrawn, for the time being, the 1939 film, Gone with the Wind, due to its racist depictions. From appearances, the country...

Apologies. I’m working on a special project that has taken up yesterday and today. “What We Need to Be,” is scheduled for Monday.   “We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1941 As protests against racial and police injustice surge...

During the times that try our souls, inspiring wisdom is needed more than ever. Perhaps it’s time to remind ourselves of those who, by their words, encourage us to live out of our better angels. “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. “To sensible men, every day...

Submitted for your consideration. Vader works on behalf of the Emperor. Barr works on behalf of a man who believes he is “Emperor.” When displeased, Vader chokes the life out of his minions. When displeased, Barr chokes the life out of the justice system. Vader intimidates with a dark suit and deep sullen voice. Barr intimidates with a cheap sullen...

The history of this country has been written by how we have faced great crises. While many occurred on the world stage, many more have been internal struggles on behalf of equal justice and equality for all. However, these latest protests, largely peaceful, are unequaled. In four short years, we have gone from taking a knee to murder by knee...

The headline hits you between the eyes: “Tom Cotton: Send in the Troops” On Wednesday, the New York Times published a controversial editorial by Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton. Cotton is a full-throated supporter of President Trump and he used the opinion section of The Times to clear his throat in support of the actions President Trump suggested to quell...

This cartoon, from the wry and witty mind of Dan Piraro, could not be more timely. The first meaning suggests that we expect others to change rather than ourselves. However, a second meaning, Piraro says, “insinuates how we try the same failed things over and over, expecting the results to change.” The cartoon is the visual equivalent of an expression...

From New York to Atlanta; San Diego to DC. Nearly 40 cities are facing protests, many of them violent, that haven’t been seen for decades. Fire erupted in the basement of St. John’s Church in Washington as helicopters hovered over a city that has become a war zone. For a sixth straight day, the violence and vandalism has escalated —...

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence…” – Martin Luther King, Jr. Growing up in a Los Angeles suburb, I led a life safe from many of the troubles that took place only miles from where I lived. During the summer of ’65, those troubles exploded during a hot August night. Marquette Frye, a black, twenty-one-year old, was pulled over by...