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Religion
Bible Studies
I belong to a group that has been studying the Bible for more than 20 years, so we have gotten to know each other’s opinions. In recent years we have used the videos of Dr. “Mickey” Efird, former professor in the Divinity School at Duke. One of his phrases is my favorite. “Don’t get lost in the weeds.” That is his Southern style of saying that we should not debate minor points that have little to do with the messages of the scriptures...
Public Policy
It’s a Mixed Bag
The current U.S. Economy has solid, but uncertain growth, persistent inflation, a tight but cooling labor market, and the prolonged government shutdown. The administration has been criticized for its focus on foreign affairs, with extensive travel abroad. Domestic affairs, such as the government layoffs and higher costs of living, have created a worried public.
The overall impact of the Trump tariffs resulted in a net negative impact on the economy....
Politics
“No Kings” Protests
The two massive “No Kings” protests on June 14 and October 18 represented a significant benchmark in US political culture. The most recent one mobilized 7 million people in all 50 states, and the movement emerged as a cohesive, sustained national resistance against the policies and authoritarian actions of the 2nd Trump Administration. The non-partisan resistance of “We the People” against a dictatorial regime marked the institutionalization of a highly organized resistance capable of exerting sustained pressure on a sustained basis....
LGBTQ+
Trump’s Attacks on LGBTQ+ Rights
The decline and rolling back of LGBTQ rights during the Trump Administration has been a major area of focus for civil rights and advocacy groups. The administration has taken a number of actions, particularly targeting the rights and visibility of transgender and non-binary people. Many of these actions have been challenged in court by civil rights organizations. The overall impact, according to LGBTQ advocates, has been an increase in discriminatory policies, a reduction in federal protections, and....
Travel
Thanksgiving in Washington
Although I lived in Washington for three years, I went back often to visit. I could show hundreds of photos of the District, but these are of a trip in 2018 and limited to just a few from that 3-day Thanksgiving trip. I have many photos of the National Gallery of Art and the National Portrait Gallery, but these are seasonal photos of the Rotunda and the Atrium...
General
All Saints Day
The commercial development of Halloween has caused it to dominate the Christian holidays. The three days - October 31 (All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween), November 1 (All Saints’ Day), and November 2 (All Souls’ Day) were special Holy Days in the Roman Catholic Church. The Day of the Dead is a further complication of these holidays. It traces its origins back to Pre-Columbian Times....