Recent character Commentaries

Featured image for “Two Men. Two Visions.”
Two Men. Two Visions.
With the constant churn of headlines—political strife, cultural division, and an unrelenting news cycle—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, even numb. So when this week’s TIME magazine arrived, I felt an unexpected sense of peace and gratitude. The cover was simple, yet powerful: a full-page portrait of Pope Leo XIV, dressed in royal vestments, hands folded calmly in front of him....
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May 22, 2025
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The Man Who Refused to Be King
This week, I’m focusing on what may be the most endangered quality in public life: integrity. Over the next 5 days, I’ll spotlight five U.S. Presidents who, when faced with defining moments, chose character over calculation. These men didn’t just hold office—they upheld a moral compass, often at personal or political cost. Their stories remind us of what principled leadership...
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May 12, 2025
The Courage To Act
Embed from Getty Images Ethics begins where self-interest ends. We’re facing a moment that goes far beyond politics. This is not about party affiliation or ideological differences. It’s about the preservation of the rule of law, the integrity of public institutions, and the ethical core of our democracy. A president who believes he is above accountability is dangerous.  » Read more...
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April 18, 2025
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The Character We Had; The Character We Need Again
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of character these days; the kind of character where individuals choose principle over expediency; who stand up for what’s right rather than give into fear or worse, silence. What we know of the Greek philosopher Socrates comes from his greatest student, Plato. Socrates believed that “to know the good is to do the...
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July 23, 2021
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Character
“Crisis doesn’t change people; it reveals them.” – Eric Walters, Canadian author Character is not something we’re born with. It’s a combination of our highest attributes developed throughout our lives. Time and again, we see remarkable demonstrations of character in small and large ways. Many of them don’t make the news. Here are three that did. Last Wednesday, actor Tom...
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March 18, 2020
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A Little Bit of Heaven
While in office, President Harry Truman was well-known by his fans for not suffering fools lightly, politicians or military. A frequent chant from supporters was, Give’em Hell, Harry! Looking toward the brighter side, a good friend of mine signs his e-mails, Give’em Heaven. With that thought in mind I thought this commentary appropriate. I’m a tennis fan. Grew up watching...
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July 8, 2019