Just When You Think You’ve Had Enough, Don’t Stop

A Few Words in Defense of Our Country, or at least For the Choir We are consoling ourselves with talk of impeachment or resignation, with fantasies of divine intervention and, dare I say, even the notion of “reasonable Republicans.” That last one is more laughable than the divine intervention bit. So? That’s Not.Going.To.Happen. What do…

Sing, Keep Singing

Words are actions even if they are only the prelude to deeds and outcomes.   After all doesn’t the “man of action” move from pure instinct, from impulse, from the place where thinking just “gets in the way”? Over the past six days —yes, it’s only been six days— the prelude of words has not only…

Out on a Wing, Reclaiming Our Emotional Skill Set in the Age of Trump

We all know, I think, about the debilitating and stifling features of shame.  America’s Protestant history includes putting the wayward in the public stocks as well as the endorsement of pan-religious commitments to guilt, shame, and blame for acts of non-conformity.  To be shunned, in social worlds or in matters of conscience, for expressions of…

It’s not about the polls, it’s about us.

Today the media is reporting that the new polls indicating a closer Presidential race are a feature of the American public at last “paying attention” as the election approaches. I demur. We shouldn’t concern ourselves too much with these tightening polls much less place value on this assessment. America is not finally getting around to…

Reckoning the Moment

Last night we were treated to history because after 240 years of occasionally great, barely tolerable, and too often mediocre men, a major party nominated a serious, steadfastly committed, and exceptionally accomplished woman.  It should seem unfathomable that gender has been such a barrier in an America that professes equality but it is hardly mysterious. …