America as a Developing Country
Also in Zimbabwe, Ireland, Lithuania, Russia (yes, even Russia)...
My wife and I recently returned from a vacation in Australia, a land of beautiful beaches, other natural splendors, kangaroos galore and remarkably friendly people concerned about what America’s current course means for their country.
[Continue Reading]Some Thoughts on Vipers, Strongmen, Patience and Small Steps
We can’t view the news these days without finding fuel for despair. Nonetheless, I’d like to draw on my nearly forty years of advising on foreign aid for democracy, the rule of law and human rights around the world to offer ten positive points about American democracy in these troubled times.
These thoughts are not predictions. I see all sorts of reasons to see a dark future. But I don’t see how giving up does us any good.
1. We’re comparatively fortunate. Yes, really. As I sketch below, foreign societies burdened by poverty, poor education, repression and histories far worse than ours have overcome more daunting circumstances to launch, protect or restore democracy. If they can overcome, so can we.
[Continue Reading]Dr. King Saw the Civil Rights Movement as Part of a Global Struggle. That Means Even More Today.
So, Inauguration Day is here. Our president is a racist, rapist, insurrectionist and narcissist, as well as a corrupt, convicted crook – to put it mildly. But to get through today’s dismay, and to take heart for the next four years, it’s far better to make January 20 about the other event it commemorates: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This includes learning from Dr. King’s under-appreciated dream about how the fight for freedom in America relates to similar struggles abroad, in stark contrast with Trump’s nightmarish outlook.
[Continue Reading]On Losing and Finding Faith in the Wake of the Election
“I woke up this morning, I could barely breathe.”
The words are from “Empty Sky,” the saddest of the many songs Bruce Springsteen wrote about 9/11. They came to mind eight years ago, right after Trump’s shocking triumph over Hillary Clinton. Along with Trump, they’re back.
“Empty Sky” is about the loss of the planes that September day. It’s about the loss of so many lives. It’s about the loss of a loved one.
Most of all, it’s about the loss of faith.
“I woke up this morning to an empty sky.”
[Continue Reading]Are you a Harris supporter stressed about the election? Me too.
Let’s not panic, though. Kamala’s (probably) got this. I’ve got five reasons why.
But first, you can start de-stressing by watching the Saturday Night Live clip above, especially commencing at the 5:45 mark.
Now, on to those reasons:
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