Evangelical leader Franklin Graham has asked us to pray for President Trump again. I think that's a good idea. Graham said, “Pray for President Trump today, for God to give him wisdom, protection, and guide each and every step he takes." He then posted a t-shirt you can purchase on his website ($15.99=$3 shipping), modeled here by... Continue Reading →
My name is still missing from his wall….
Email from Donald Trump, Jr. addressed to me. In this message, Donald Trump Jr. states that I'm one of the President's "best supporters and strongest defenders." Several months ago, I responded to a survey up to the point where a donation was required. Since the form wouldn't take negative numbers or zero, I left... Continue Reading →
Watching a slow death
Baldwin continues, "...people have deluded themselves for so long that they really don’t think I am human …. And this means that they have become … moral monsters.” I was eight when James Baldwin spoke these words. Now, in 2019, I feel as if I've spent my life watching a slow death. The pulse of... Continue Reading →
No nuanced views allowed.
Nice of First Baptist Church in Dallas to post this video on its YouTube channel so I could easily find it. https://youtu.be/EDBA-G675yo How easy might it be for this evangelical leader make comments supportive of the policies he agrees with while taking an occasional critical stance against actions inconsistent with his Christian beliefs or national... Continue Reading →
Thank you, Dr. Jeffress
How I appreciate this religious leader weighing in on a scientific issue! Looks like his "IMAGINARY climate crisis" is melting glaciers in Glacier National Park at profound and measurable rates. While there are examples of extreme reactions to climate change, there are things that just make sense to do in protecting our environment. Jeffress uses... Continue Reading →
The Petroleum President
Political leadership has demonstrated a strong reluctance to reduce our dependence on petroleum energy sources. I think the economic interests of the oil industry dictate our leaders' political priorities. How different might the world be if we'd aggressively pursued alternative forms of energy like sun and wind? We're now situated so that a single drone strike can... Continue Reading →
Mary Oliver Reflection
Mary Oliver's poem captures feelings of my own faith-journey. Like tectonic plates gathering energy over time, once-solid and rarely questioned bedrock scrapes against the rawness of life, causing subtle (or not so subtle) changes in the shape of things. For better or worse, I tend to speak up now, where I once remained quiet. If my... Continue Reading →
Dr. Robert Jeffress preaches a false dichotomy
Sometimes crazy stuff flashes by and I wonder if it's worthy of a response. I usually consider the source. Dr. Robert Jeffress is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, TX, so his words carry weight and deserve a response. Dr. Jeffress' statement sets up a false dichotomy that is extremely popular among... Continue Reading →
President influences my purchases
President Trump has had a positive influence on my reading habits, but I never thought he would influence my buying choices. I've never been tempted by Trump Steaks, Trump Vodka, Trump Ice Bottled Water, menswear, perfume, or deodorant. Nor was I ever persuaded to send urine samples to the Trump Network so they could customize... Continue Reading →
Fire starter?
Since responding to a survey indicating that I'm not satisfied with his performance, I receive repeated emails suggesting that I'm one of President Trump's best supporters. I couldn't submit the survey because a donation was required and $0 wasn't an option. Today I received the following message that was "only for top supporters." Got me to... Continue Reading →
Kindly Curmudgeon 