Anderson Cooper was flummoxed as he sat in the middle of the fact food-fight he organized for the evening of the worldwide women’s march. The scheduled fight was happening. But he seemed upset that it was a fight between facts and assertions contrary to the facts (or as Kellyanne Conway later named them: “alternative facts“), otherwise … Continue reading Anderson Cooper and Truth flummoxed by Trump
The desire wells up in me to pass out unsolicited advice. I think it is because I have counseled quite a few couples this past quarter, and quite a few of them should have solicited some advice! So here is some advice for blue staters, especially, as we head into the inauguration ordeal: Don’t take … Continue reading Marriage advice: Don’t take Trump to bed
Maybe we have some Esther in us. When plots against the Jews were uncovered in the Persian capital, one of the king’s favorite wives, Esther, was well-placed to do something about it. But there were great risks to face! She was one of the Jews being slandered; she was just one of many wives; she … Continue reading Who knows but that God made Circle of Hope for such a Trump time as this?
I watched the Trump acceptance speech – all of it. I also watched Ivanka. In Trumpspeech: “Not that pleased with the first – Surprisingly pleased with the latter — Believe me.” I live among people who are not happy with Trump. But sometimes I think they are posturing, since they probably have a relative from … Continue reading About Trump — we can do better
Our dear friend from California visited last week to catch up and cheer up. She is such a great guest! She is a kind listener, so she got me telling stories from my early forties when I left her in California for the wilds of Pennsylvania. It was a time in my life when so … Continue reading Conversion: The smoking woman and the dejected church planter
The election has apparently boiled down to a discussion about the economy (which that doddering old fool, Joe Biden, led into the post-pandemic envy of the world), and the border (which is challenged but apparently better off under the present administration, even though Trump torpedoed the rare bi-partisan solution the Senate hammered out). Meanwhile, the … Continue reading Why isn’t the election about climate action?: Your prefacts and gists
The boundary between Palestine and Israel is thick, but ever-changing. Our first stop, after we crossed it was at a hotel facing the huge, concrete border wall, festooned with artful graffiti. It was overwhelming. Going outside and feeling the wall’s shadow was terrifying – even though I knew I would soon move beyond it, with … Continue reading In Christ, I am not defined by “the land”
What does one do with a “gotcha” question? Here is a lesson from Vice President Harris. Dana Bash, after trying to get Harris to admit she flip flopped on fracking for no scientific reason after she became a national figure (and someone who needs to win Pennsylvania!), brought up Donald Trump’s remarks about whether or … Continue reading What do you do with a “Gotcha!” question? : VP Harris shows the way.
We spent last week with three ten-year-olds and a younger sister. A few people have checked in tosee if I made it through in one piece! No problem at all. I was sad to come home. It was glorious. Alongside the laughs, the grandchildren taught me a lot. Even though I remember being an elementary-age … Continue reading Stories ten-year-olds tell, and political conventions
I always wanted to go to Michigan. Now I have. And now I only have North Dakota left before I can brag about visiting all 50 states! When I travel outside the U.S., I am often delighted to wander into a place I did not know existed. Once there, I am often even more delighted … Continue reading My brief tour of American excess