“A democracy cannot survive merely by being well informed, it must also be contemplative, and wise.” – E.B. White John and Jeremy Zogby are part of the team at Zogby Strategies whose mission is to examine Americans’ thinking to keep us better informed, and hopefully, more “contemplative and wise.” Before Tuesday’s election, both correctly recognized that the race between Trump...

Dear Undecided Voter, I’m hoping to aid your decision-making and help clarify what’s at stake in tomorrow’s election. Here’s what we know: According to Washington Post fact-checker, Glenn Kessler, since his time in office, Donald Trump as made a total of 22,247 false or misleading statements since assuming office. FactCheck.org and Politifact.com offer similar lists. Absent any evidence,  » Read more...

In 2006, I completed a survey entitled, Honesty and Trust in America. While the study took place 14 years ago, the solutions from more than 8,000 Americans are more relevant than ever. “When it comes to grading the level of trustworthiness of various groups that determine the course of the nation,” I began, “congress received the lowest levels of trustworthiness...

In personal relationships, in school, at the workplace – in life – who you are makes a difference. – Michael Josephson, founder, Character Counts! program While I have been critical of President Trump on a variety of issues, I appreciate him taking the time to talk about an issue that’s important to us all. His Proclamation, as excerpted: “Personal responsibility,...

In 1976, the Senate named an office building for Michigan Senator Philip Hart. Above the entrance to that building are words written by his colleagues who praised Hart for being… “A man of incorruptible integrity and personal courage strengthened by inner grace and outer gentleness. …He advanced the cause of human justice, promoted the welfare of the common man and...

Apologies to readers. Due to the many conspiracy theories and scandals reported on an hourly basis it’s hard to keep up! Let’s begin with the “latest.” While Oregon continues to suffer under unprecedented wildfires that are consuming neighborhoods at a record pace, another firestorm is moving at light speed. Some Oregon Facebook members are posting messages like this: “Has anyone...

Sitting before the Senate Watergate hearings on June 25, 1973, former counsel to Richard Nixon, John Dean, described a meeting with the president. “I began by telling the president that there was a cancer growing on the presidency and that if the cancer was not removed the president himself would be killed by it.” In our current context, the president...

Back on it, September 8, 2020! While I’m on vacation, I thought I would go to the vault for commentaries from times past. It’s Ethics, Stupid began in 2008, so I’ll start there. The Janitor – March 2008: Watching George Clooney in Michael Clayton, I quickly picked-up on the ethical aspects common in several of his films. January 20,  » Read...

John Lewis has been memorized as the conscience of the Congress. Who will pick up that mantle, now? Who will stand for principle over political expediency? The answer is easy but the work will be hard. WE the people are the conscience of America. We always have been. No matter the crisis, we have always summoned the faith to act....

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...