That’s the question that I thought of when I heard the tragic story of Jahi McMath, the 13-year-old California teen that went in for what was supposed to be routine surgery and ended up in an unrecoverable coma. According to news reports, doctors recommended surgery to remove Jahi’s tonsils, adenoids and extra sinus tissue. The intent was to treat the...

Both the New York Times and Britain’s Guardian newspapers offered editorials in support of clemency or plea bargain in the case of NSA leaker Edward Snowden. “Considering the enormous value of the information he has revealed,” the Times said (Jan. 1), “and the abuses he has exposed, Mr. Snowden deserves better than a life of permanent exile, fear and flight. He may...

There’s a moment in the Tom Hanks film Forrest Gump where Forrest does something incredibly dangerous. He repeatedly puts his life at risk to save five members of his unit in Vietnam. “Are you stupid, or something?” a military official asks. In a line that is repeated throughout the film, Forrest answers, “Stupid is as stupid does, sir.” I thought of that...

Okay, I’ve trotted out this story before. However, it is the universal message in everyday stories like this that informs my own life and that is why this story speaks to me. To begin with, it actually happened at Christmastime. Second, our smiling protagonist IS just that genuine in her intentions and her actions. That is not to say that she’s a...

Last week a decision was made that could lead to important changes in Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. The first-step in A Joint Plan of Action on Iran’s Nuclear Program appears to have been agreed to. As stated in the preamble to that agreement: “The goal for these negotiations is to reach a mutually-agreed long-term comprehensive solution that would ensure Iran’s nuclear...

You are the athletic director of a middle school whose football team just finished a winning season. You just learned that the coach wants to celebrate by taking the entire team to… the local Hooters restaurant to celebrate. What do you do? Well, if you’re Corbett School District Athletic Director Jean-Paul Soulagnet, you send a letter to parents informing them that...

Two stories returned to the news recently. Both surprised me in different ways. Richie Incognito, the Miami Dolphins football player accused of bullying fellow player Jonathan Martin, broke his silence recently to talk about a series of incidents that Martin deemed offensive and harassing. David Cornwell, Martin’s attorney, said in a statement, that his client “endured a malicious physical attack...

Just short of this Friday’s deadline, set by Judge Jeffrey Oing, the suit brought against J.C. Penney and Martha Stewart by Macy’s has settled. Macy’s charged that both had breached an exclusivity agreement that Macy’s had with Stewart that covered a variety of bed, bath and kitchen products. See if you can tell which way the settlement went based on...

In 1898, an exchange took place between Frederic Remington and his boss, William Randolph Hearst. Hearst had sent the artist to Havana to sketch pictures of hostilities purportedly taking place in Cuba. Remington wired, “Everything is quiet. No trouble here. There will be no war. I wish to return.” Hearst responded, “You furnish the pictures… I’ll furnish the war.” While...

Okay, boys and girls, it’s ethical dilemma time! Last week, two politicians were caught, on an open mic, sharing strategy points. Moments before Senate Minority Leader McConnell was due to be interviewed on MSNBC, this brief conversation occurred with Senator Paul: McConnell (as Paul walks up): I’m all wired-up, here. Paul: I just did CNN, and I just go over and over again,...