Recent Ethics Commentaries

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The Cost of Denying the Truth
“If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”–-Matthew 15:14 **When I first heard that President Biden had been diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer, I took this story down out of respect for him and his family. After reading the book, I’ve rewritten much of it, and I’m sharing it again now because I believe the...
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May 28, 2025
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Jake, Your Better Than This
Jake Tapper is a respected journalist. I say that not as a casual observer, but as someone who regularly watches his reporting and respects his work. He’s covered war zones, challenged presidents, and earned a reputation for fairness, tenacity, and doing the work. He asks tough questions and backs them up with facts. He’s written compelling books and brought needed...
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May 26, 2025
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Why Facts No Longer Matter (And Why That Matters)
In 2012, Justice David Souter—long retired, rarely seen—offered a quiet but powerful warning during a talk in New Hampshire. Reflecting on the erosion of civic understanding, he said: “What I worry about is that when problems are not addressed, people will not know who is responsible. And when the problems get bad enough—as they might—some one person will come forward...
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May 19, 2025
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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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