An Open Letter to Dr. Andrew Kolodny

Update 6/27/18: I am overwhelmed by the positive responses I have received for this letter. I would ask that readers also take a look at all the articles and references cited in this piece, and share those as well. Those references go into much, much more detail and research than I have had space orContinue

Choosing Sides? In the Aftermath of Violence, there are No Winners

In the wake of the Charlottesville, VA protests, one thing has become crystal clear: One side is motivated by fear, which leads to anger, anger to hate. One side throws around emotionally-charged language, calling the other side traitors to America. One side refuses to give any ground, refuses to honestly hear the other side out.Continue

Shiny People

I love, and am attracted to, shiny objects. Midnight stars, colorful beads, glassware, crystals, the sun glinting off water. In a similar fashion, much of humanity is attracted to shiny people, but be warned: All that glitters is not gold. Shiny people and their audience tend to trounce logic and reason to the hurt andContinue

On Snowflakes

Conservative political supporters have come up with a new, derogatory name for those who disagree with them: Snowflakes. Conservatives view dissenters as “weak” and easily broken. Because of their “delicate” nature, they are likened to snowflakes. As if being “strong” (which never lasts) is the be-all, end-all of life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYbYMMR2R4I As if looking and soundingContinue

Great Expectations

The heroin epidemic, the culture wars, a broken jail system, a broken education system, too much corruption in politics at all levels, too much greed, too much anger. As we face this upcoming presidential election that few average people actually want, accusations are flying: This is all the Millennials’ fault, it’s because of liberals/conservatives, it’sContinue