Columnist and public speaker
... but I hope there's a better way. I know it is almost impossible to listen to someone who is spouting falsehoods, but in my most recent column for the Arizona Daily Star, I examine how hatred of the other is destroying me and how I want to find a better way. Part of that …
Continue reading "COVID and politics got you filled with hate? Me, too."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently said young adults might be driving the increase in U.S. COVID-19 cases. The response of anyone who’s been paying even the slightest attention to the pandemic has to be: “Ya think?” Probably accompanied by a slapping of the forehead or eating an entire quart of ice cream. …
Everyone's clamoring to get back to school. Children want it, employers want it and parents are dying for it. Everyone wants it so badly that they're willing to take a huge risk with the lives of children and teachers - and by extension, their families. Set aside the fact that schools have become far more …
Continue reading "You want school amid COVID? Take it outside."
Nearly eight months ago, in October, I was in a bad car wreck. Not my fault, and although the other party was cited, perhaps it was all just a random "accident." Whatever it was, the result was a traumatic brain injury for me, from which I haven't recovered, despite numerous doctors, therapies, rehabs, etc. Latest …
Can we all agree that the following things are universally irritating: People looking at their phone when they meet you for dinner or coffee. People talking loudly in a movie theater during the previews. People blasting rap music out of their car. For once I'd like to hear The Beatles. Anyone standing behind a counter …
The line in the story Sunday about the mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart hit me hard: "Her 19-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son threw themselves to the ground, then ran out of the store through an emergency exit." This is what we've come to: So many mass shootings for so many years that an …
The 4th of July is a wonderful holiday, and you're not going to see me turning away a brat, baseball or fireworks today. Not to mention, I love me a good John Philip Sousa march as much as the next American. Indeed some of my happiest memories involve sitting in our neighbor's backyard in Denton, …
Continue reading "Separation of church and state, or why I hate patriotism in Mass"
In mid-March a collective gasp erupted across the country as people were stunned – stunned! – to discover that rich people sometimes buy their way into elite universities. Mom and Dad wanted their offspring to have the best and they were going for it. As someone who works in higher education, I've seen more and …
Continue reading "Want to REALLY help your kids? Let them fail."
Throughout my childhood, I was molested by my father. He suffered neglect and abuse in his own childhood, and his service in World War II added to his demons. All that led to drinking, and alcoholism fueled his abusive behavior. He never had sexual intercourse with me, which is the dictionary definition of incest, but …
Continue reading "No exceptions abortion laws aren’t pro-life"
Today, for the shortest of times, I was a bee keeper. Or rather, a bee keeper's apprentice. Maybe even lower than an apprentice. More like an aide. Or an intern. Or just the person who shows up hoping not to get stung. As part of my #year60goals, I wanted to harvest honey and was having …
