Like most readers, I must rely on the judgments of experts as I make up my mind about the proposed agreement with Iran. This column describes what I’ve learned and why the agreement deserves our support. Continue reading WHY SUPPORT THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL?
STICKS STONES AND STEREOTYPES
Election campaigns are under way and the name-calling season is open. Names, labels and stereotypes can influence our opinions and our elections so it’s important to be aware them. Continue reading STICKS STONES AND STEREOTYPES
SHOULD OUR FUTURE BE A HOSTAGE TO HISTORY?
As of July 23, North Carolina law prohibits cities, counties and state institutions from relocating any state-owned monument, statue or “object of remembrance” even if it is on city or county property. Work on the bill began many months ago amidst growing public demand for removal of monuments to the Confederacy and racist heroes. Calls for removal of monuments have grown since the Charleston, SC murders. Rather than having open and intelligent discussion of the concerns, legislators made change nearly impossible by passing a law that denies local governments the authority to respond to the will of their citizens. Continue reading SHOULD OUR FUTURE BE A HOSTAGE TO HISTORY?
HOW RACISM LIES IN WAIT FOR US
A man in a uniform looked at me and said, “Son, you’ll have to gain three pounds to get into this man’s army.” It was in early 1969 that I was required to appear for a selective service physical examination. I walked through the examination center in my underwear along with John, a college friend who was scheduled for the same day.
John was next in the line where height and weight were checked. He was a good student, a big man, a capable athlete, and black. The same man (white) looked at him and said, “Boy, you’ll have to lose five pounds to get in this man’s army.” I could see my friend’s dark brown face turning red; and feared how he might respond to being called “boy”. He paused, looked back at his antagonist, and replied, “Yessuh Boss” then mock-shuffled away and laughed out loud. Continue reading HOW RACISM LIES IN WAIT FOR US
IS POPE FRANCIS ALSO A PROPHET?
On June 13 of this year, Papa Franciscus (Better known as Pope Francis) sent a letter (encyclical) asking each of us who share Planet Earth to attend to its deteriorating condition; discuss it among ourselves; and make decisions about how to maintain it. Acknowledging that only about a third of humans claim to be Christians and about half of Christians are Catholic; he crafted his letter to speak to all of us about caring for the Earth – and ultimately about caring for each other.
Francis described Creation – our planet and our universe – as a gift to mankind that we will pass on to successive generations. Using biblical language, he pointed out that, “…the Genesis account which grants man ‘dominion over the earth’…” does not warrant “the unbridled exploitation of nature…” Continue reading IS POPE FRANCIS ALSO A PROPHET?
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND OUR INDUSTRIAL MEGASITE
When the Randolph County Commissioners decided to develop an industrial megasite, I was cautiously optimistic because they are attempting to create much-needed economic and job growth. Today it is alarming that our usually fiscally conservative Commissioners have committed $10 million – essentially all of the money available for economic development projects – without adequate planning. Continue reading ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND OUR INDUSTRIAL MEGASITE
WILL LOSING IN COURT HELP WIN ELECTIONS?
On the horizon of America’s sometimes bizarre political landscape are two Supreme Court decisions with unusual implications. Most conservatives and Republicans want the Court to rule that states can ban same-sex marriage and that Obama Care can’t subsidize the cost of health insurance in states that haven’t set up their own insurance exchanges. Most liberals and Democrats are wishing for the opposite. It may be that the political fortunes of the two parties will be better if they lose these cases than if they win. If Democrats and Liberals win both cases, then Republicans can continue to demonize the health care law for its imperfections and complain about activist judges who overturned the “will of the people” by allowing same-sex marriage. Republicans seem well prepared for losing in court, but not for the consequences of winning. They have no plan for delivering affordable health care to low and middle-income Americans. It isn’t free. It is a fact that many people of modest means will suffer and die without health care if there is no tax-funded means to help pay for it. Continue reading WILL LOSING IN COURT HELP WIN ELECTIONS?
DOING THAT COULD MAKE YOU BLIND
A South Carolina man is learning that there are some things that feel good at the time but, yes, they can make you go blind. Here’s a recap of his story, much of it from the Charlotte Observer. Luis Lang was self-employed with a good income and a 3300 square foot house worth more than $300,000. He knew that the law (Obama Care) required him to buy health insurance, but it felt good to spend the money on other things. Continue reading DOING THAT COULD MAKE YOU BLIND
DO WE WANT POLICE BODY CAMERAS?
Now is the time to think carefully about whether to record police interactions with the public and who would have access to recordings. The reasons to record seem clear. Some allegations of serious, even criminal, misconduct on the part of both police and citizens have been clarified by video evidence. Law enforcement is impaired by mistrust of police. If cameras reduce the mistrust, then police can be more effective. The presence of cameras might motivate more respectful behavior by both citizens and police – leading to fewer confrontations. All of those would be good outcomes.
On the other hand, some people may be reluctant to even talk with police if the conversation is recorded. Would people have informal conversations with officers about neighborhood gangs and drug dealers if they knew that they were being recorded?
The idea of recordings seems good, but unanswered questions abound. Continue reading DO WE WANT POLICE BODY CAMERAS?
Why Is Walter Scott Dead?
Despite the fact that Americans are protected by our constitution from overly aggressive law enforcement, there continue to be tragic occasions when officers shoot first and ask questions later. Another such story is unfolding in South Carolina. Continue reading Why Is Walter Scott Dead?