Recent Pursuit of Excellence Commentaries

Featured image for “America’s Christmas Carol”
America’s Christmas Carol
“Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they the shadows of things that May be, only?,” Scrooge asked. Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood. “Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,” said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends...
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December 20, 2024
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An Answered Prayer
Today, five years after Parisians and the world watched in disbelief as flames engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral, a prayer was answered and the hard work of thousands and faith of millions reopened Notre Dame for the world. Five years ago, the spire collapsed, the vaulted ceilings crumbled, and its interior was scarred by fire and smoke. The devastation was not...
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December 7, 2024
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I Met a Traveler in An Antique Land
I time-tunneled back to 410 BC to have a conversation with Socrates, the renowned Greek sage, about the greatest challenges we face today. With the help of his A.I. assistant, here is that conversation, (edited for length). Socrates: Greetings, fellow traveler. What’s on your mind? Jim: How can we climb out of the pit of despair and relentless conflict where...
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December 2, 2024
Featured image for “Thanksgiving: A Harvest of Hope”
Thanksgiving: A Harvest of Hope
In a Thanksgiving address given in 1944 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and in the presence of  Winston Churchill, United States Ambassador John Gilbert Winant concluded his speech with these words: “We are grateful that you have joined us on this day of Thanksgiving because, through common sacrifice and a sustaining Providence, we have been able together to preserve our...
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November 27, 2024
Featured image for “To Serve the Common Good”
To Serve the Common Good
Twentieth-century journalist Walter Lippmann’s enduring appeal lies in his staunch commitment to the common good—the idea that society can function in a way that benefits everyone, not just individuals or specific groups. It’s a concept that is as essential today as it was when he first explored it nearly a century ago. Lippmann—whose insights on democracy, media, and morality helped...
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October 28, 2024
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What America Stands For
We know the darkness—we’re living it—but what about the light? America’s moral conscience reflects our evolving values, shaped by both successes and failures. We’ve seen progress in Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, LGPTQ+ rights, but we’ve also faced dark chapters—slavery, the mistreatment of Native Americans, Japanese internment, McCarthyism, and Watergate. Each of these pivotal moments, both the triumphs and the trials,...
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October 23, 2024
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Our Better Angels Better Show Up
A good friend and I have what we call our “Best Friends Thursday” lunches, where we catch up on the events of the day, primarily local matters. He recently said, “I enjoy your commentaries, but I wish you’d write about something other than Trump.” It’s a fair point, and I try to cover various issues. But this election is so...
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September 3, 2024
Featured image for “We Need the Strength of Heroes”
We Need the Strength of Heroes
The Date: September 28, 1955 The Place: Yankee Stadium The Event: Dodgers/Yankees, Game 1 of the 1955 World Series Every baseball fan has seen the video. Every baseball fan knows the outcome . . . or do they? I’ll come back to this. For my book, What Do You Stand For?, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns spoke to me about the...
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April 19, 2024
We Need Moments Like This
Embed from Getty Images Let’s face it, we’re a mess. We’re living moment to moment, crisis to crisis at home and abroad. Every time you watch the news it feels like another brick to the head. I want a respite from the endless bombardment of anger, hate, and violence. I want a moment of triumph where everyone stands up and...
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April 2, 2024
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We’re BACK!
Finally, something we can all be proud of. Intuitive Machines succeeded in the first moon landing in more than 50 years. In a posted message on X (formerly Twitter), Intuitive Machines writes, “Lunar Surface Day One Update (23FEB2024 0818 CST) Odysseus is alive and well. Flight controllers are communicating and commanding the vehicle to download science data. The lander has...
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February 25, 2024

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