Recent firefighters Commentaries

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What Wildfires Teach Us About Ourselves
If you live on the West Coast, fires are part of life. Yet the fires raging in California right now—five at last count—are unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. The Palisades Fire alone has burned over 19,000 acres, leaving destruction and heartbreak in its wake. California’s wildfires remind us of two things: our shared vulnerability and the extraordinary strength we summon...
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January 10, 2025
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When Conscience Led the Country
Jimmy Carter didn’t just talk about values—he lived them. Long before entering the White House in 1977, and long after he left, Carter viewed leadership...
Steady Leadership
Dwight D. Eisenhower didn’t lead with bravado. He didn’t govern by grievance. He led with character. A five-star general who commanded the Allied victory in...
Fighting for the Public Good
Theodore Roosevelt didn’t plan to become president. In 1901, after President William McKinley was assassinated, the 42-year-old vice president was sworn in—becoming the youngest person...
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....
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...
The Shepherd in the Storm
I usually keep my focus on issues here at home—challenges that affect us as Americans. But with the world now turning its attention to the...