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Citizens must relentlessly demand sensible gun safety laws
Sadly, the question is not how many more innocents need to become victims of senseless mass gun violence. The real question is: When will enough of us relentlessly demand that legislators pass sensible gun laws? Laws that will not only address the growing incidents of mass shootings, but the growing epidemic of gun violence. Clearly, […]
Love and Black history sharing the same month is instructive
While many of us may not take time to celebrate love or Black history during the month of February, they both hold a lot in common and offer some valuable aspects we might want to consider. Among them: Understanding. Hope. Unity. In love, when we really want to know about a person or thing, we […]
The 2024 elections will be a choice between truth and lies
The greatest choice voters will have to make during the 2024 presidential election is whether to stand for truth or go along with the lies. But how can voters discern and distinguish truth from lies, facts from fiction? It seems truth and facts have become expendable commodities in the public square. We must wonder whether […]
The lessons of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life should give us hope today
As we remember and reflect on the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there are valuable lessons that should give us hope that we can overcome what we face today in a divided and teetering America. If we, like King, truly believe that the words of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence […]
The new year offers us a time to recharge and get ready for what’s ahead
After the holiday celebrations and respite, hopefully we will be ready to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities the new year will bring. It often boils down to our perspective. Given any challenging situation, do we perceive the glass as half empty or half full? Do we believe in the power of […]
What Christmas presents does the Missouri legislature need this season?
As the year draws to a close and a new legislative session dawns, what presents do you hope Santa will leave under the Christmas tree at the Missouri Capitol? Each of us can help Santa out as he is making his list and checking it twice. What do you hope legislators will find when they […]
Resolution of the abortion issue will be a seminal test for our democracy
Shrouded in hypocrisy, entangled by complexity and ensnarled in a battle for control, the abortion issue will be a real test of the structure of our democratic form of government. Will there be a new overarching federal law along with specific state laws governing abortion? It is a central focus in the 2024 presidential election, […]
How can we make the most of this holiday season?
Given the feelings of unease that often punctuate our daily lives in many areas, the holiday season provides an opportunity for us not only to celebrate, but to discover lasting meaning that could carry us to new heights of understanding and rejuvenation. Lasting meaning can be found in many ways, but three ways in particular: […]
With a new normal emerging in America, lessons from our past could serve us well
In today’s political environment, one could easily conclude that America is in the midst of a metamorphosis, where its character and identity are undergoing radical change. When you consider the major shifts and developments in the public square that have occurred during these first decades of the 21st century, some disturbing trends cannot be ignored. […]
The Republican Party has reached a critical crossroads
Once upon a time there was a Republican Party that was identifiable and recognizable by its policy positions and political principles. Whether at the state or national level, what defines the Republican Party today? During its history, it has been known and identified as the party of Abraham Lincoln, and more recently the party of […]
Reclaiming our voices of reason amid all the craziness
In this political season, where it seems that anything is up for interpretation and speculation — truths, codes of ethics, rules of law — where do we turn for a sense of direction or best decision-making? The craziness occurring in our nation’s capital, or our state legislatures, is not all there is. What craziness, you […]
Closing Missouri’s education deficits is everyone’s responsibility
Now that a new school year has begun, each of us has an opportunity to decide how we will help children learn. Many school districts in Missouri and across the nation are facing an additional challenge over and above the usual ones in providing the best educational preparation for the children in their care. The […]