The Clear Path

We live in an era that might best be described as an epoch of terror. Such times—for this is certainly not the first—are fueled by mistrust, resentment, greed, and a race for power…all of which give rise to a dark, desperate universe. In such a world, the promise of a bright, new day rising out …

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Ideology

Ideology does not liberate, it delineates. I often wonder if the choice between left and right is an argument over how to manage a world that most would admit in their saner, more sober moments must pass away. At its best it's like there are two deckhands arguing over the placement of the deck furniture …

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Bias

"For what a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride, lest his mind should seem to be occupied with things mean and transitory; …

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Take the High Road

"I'd rather be for what I'm for than against what I'm against." ~ Anonymous We have become a nation of cause-mongers, devoting the bulk of our energies to fighting that which we are against, while leaving very little to support what we truly believe in. Listen to the messages from the preacher's pulpit to the …

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A Cure for Superficiality

“Democracy needs to be reborn in each generation and education is its midwife.” ~ John Dewey, Twentieth Century Education Theorist A friend of mine recommended New York Times columnist David Brooks' recent TED presentation to me yesterday (David Brooks: The Social Animal) and after having listened to it I am pleased to pass it along …

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In Retrospect

"Righteousness is easy in retrospect." ~Arthur Schlesinger Jr. How true is that?!? More often than not the right thing to do is the least popular thing to do. Politicians find themselves between a rock and a hard place on this point as reelection concerns are often pitted against the need to support unpopular but clearly …

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Tilting at Windmills

Politics is the gizzard of society, full of grit and gravel, and the two political parties are its opposite halves - sometimes split into quarters - which grind on each other. Not only individuals but states have thus a confirmed dyspepsia. ~ Henry David Thoreau One of the microphones came on prematurely during a performance …

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The Natural Aristocracy

Friends of mine were discussing politics and leadership the day before yesterday and one raised the question: "I wonder why the most successful people, financially speaking, like Bill Gates or Warren Buffett shouldn't be running the country?" The question carried a bit more weight in my mind given Donald Trump's recent indication that he would …

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Purpose, Vision and Change

"Change is inevitable - except from the vending machine." ~ Robert C. Gallagher Of all of the assumptions that stop people from thinking clearly and from moving forward, there is one that stands as a giant amongst grasshoppers. I am careful to point it out as knowledge of this basic life principle is a double-edged …

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