Tag Archives: talk

What is my job as a citizen?

I’m struggling.

I want to toss some thoughts out because I’m not sure what a citizen’s role really is in the US anymore. I’m curious what people here think.

Until recently, I thought that my primary role in the running of our country was to communicate and understand what my elected officials were doing. Those who communicated effectively with me and who made decisions I either agreed with (or at least understood the logic behind) were to be rewarded with my vote. Those who were less effective in those tasks I’d vote to replace. That’s what I understood in my civics class back at Oxon Hill High School.

Maybe high school civics from the 70’s doesn’t really apply anymore.

A few years back, I resolved never to speak again on two things – faith and politics. It seemed to me that there was no longer the convention that folks could talk about these things, disagree, and move on as if they’d spoken about nothing of more consequence than the weather.

All the same, I slip up on that resolution sometimes.

Whats the point? Were not changing each others minds

What's the point? We're not changing each others minds

It has come to the point that when people discuss those topics, the goal is very often to bring the other person to the opposite side, or berate them as a fool, or worse. Continue reading

39 Comments

Filed under Thinking/Considering, Uncategorized

The Argument Clinic.

Whats wrong with this picture? Not a damned thing.

What's wrong with this picture? Not a damned thing.

This morning, I had the opportunity to sleep in. I woke to the sound of my wife getting ready for work and watching the news. She passed on the news that Laura Ling and Euna Lee are on their way home from being captive in North Korea. It is a good day. What could be bad about that?

Well, apparently it can be bad, because according to the Republicans, sending Bill Clinton to speak to the North Koreans was wrong because it gives that countries leaders opportunities to use the release and photos of Kim Jong Il and the former president  as propaganda tools. Continue reading

25 Comments

Filed under Diplomacy, Life Lessons, Movie reviews

Sunday, 05/31/09 Public Square

dog_days

Is everyone enjoying the dog days of summer?

fnord

87 Comments

Filed under The Public Square

Thursday, 05/28/09 Public Square

razz1-291x300

Are there some times when you just get tired of the craziness of everything and you just want to let go with a a big fat raspberry, a Bronx Cheer, a nice wet pthththththhtht!?

Ah, I feel better.

What’s going on in your world?

fnord

20 Comments

Filed under The Public Square

Sunday, 05/24/09 Public Square

just_a_ride.1126643160.pict0034

Just a little ho-hum, everyday sunset over the prairie.  No big deal, they happen all the time.  😉

How are you doing?  Is the long weekend bringing at least some of what you hoped for?

fnord

10 Comments

Filed under The Public Square

Saturday, 05/23/09 Public Square

right left brain

If a person is a ‘leftist,’ does that mean they’re controlled by the right or left side of the brain?  How does that work?  Most of the time I think my brain doesn’t know which side to choose from and just gives up!  😉

What’s everyone up to this long weekend?

fnord

22 Comments

Filed under The Public Square

Monday, 05/04/09 Public Square

extra-time

Have some extra time?  Wrap the blog in colorful conversations.

14 Comments

Filed under The Public Square

Sunday, 05/03/09 Public Square

green-field

Good morning!  It’s a peaceful Sunday morning.  What are you thinking about, what would you like to share?

fnord

15 Comments

Filed under The Public Square

Saturday, 05/02/09 Public Square

pub_square_sign_098_901mIt’s your place to bring up the topics you want to discuss.  The direction you go is also your choice.

fnord

42 Comments

Filed under The Public Square

Thursday, 04/30/09 Public Square

venice109

Here’s a pleasant place for a visit.  Pull up a chair and let us know what you’re thinking of, what you’d like to discuss.

fnord

23 Comments

Filed under The Public Square

Tuesday, 04/28/09 Public Square

conversation
Talk about it!

fnord

42 Comments

Filed under The Public Square

Sunday, 04/26/09 Public square

visit
fnord

35 Comments

Filed under The Public Square