I choked up, too — for the decent and honorable leadership, now missing, that reflects the true greatness of America. • Dana Milbank • • • Jon Meacham, historian and biographer of George Herbert Walker Bush, spoke at his memorial service on Wednesday and said, “He stood in the breach of the Cold War againstContinue reading ““America’s last, great soldier-statesman””
Category Archives: Life in the U.S.
For Independence Day: Our Greatest Speech, Our Greatest Need
On this U.S. Independence Day 2017, many are lamenting our current national and political situation, noting the ever-hardening divisions that seem to mark our citizenry. Although in many respects I join this lament, I also try to have some historical perspective and realize that we have lived in far more divided times, including an eraContinue reading “For Independence Day: Our Greatest Speech, Our Greatest Need”
Memorial Day: In the Age of Trump and Twitter, A Great American Speech
Note from CM: Today is Memorial Day in the United States. I can think of no better way to honor and memorialize those who have given their lives in service to our country than to re-post this recent brilliant speech that speaks to “the better angels of our nature” as Americans. Here is the full text ofContinue reading “Memorial Day: In the Age of Trump and Twitter, A Great American Speech”
The Myth of the Decline Narrative
Sometimes I wonder what people are seeing. I also wonder why they are so ignorant of history. Various groups rely upon a tried-and-true method to make their case and gain adherents and power. It’s called playing the “decline narrative” card. The decline narrative follows a simple formula: First, things used to be so much better.Continue reading “The Myth of the Decline Narrative”
Open Mic: Faith and Military Service
Yesterday was Veterans Day here in the U.S., a day to thank those who have served our country in the military. I read an interesting piece by Tobin Grant at RNS which suggests that religious people (Christians, in the research) are more likely to be veterans. I don’t know how much stock I put in what’sContinue reading “Open Mic: Faith and Military Service”
Why I won’t be going to church Sunday
Last week, our pastor announced that we would be having a patriotic service on the Sunday of July 4th weekend. I won’t be there. Let me make something perfectly clear. I love my country, the United States of America. I have no trouble displaying the flag on appropriate occasions (though my wife, with her MennoniteContinue reading “Why I won’t be going to church Sunday”
Of Swords And Plowshares
I am old. Not so much old-fashioned as just old. So when I say I am seeing things now I didn’t see growing up, there is a lot of water that has passed under the bridge of time. I’m not talking about the horseless carriage (I’m not that old), nor even the cell phone (butContinue reading “Of Swords And Plowshares”
Life and Death in the Promised Land
I was leaving without a qualm without a single backward glance. The face of the South that I had known was hostile and forbidding, and yet out of all the conflicts and the curses… the tension and the terror, I had somehow gotten the idea that life could be different… I was now running moreContinue reading “Life and Death in the Promised Land”
The Internet Monk Archives 