-
·
Ignoring the Human Cost to Public Safety is Immoral
I recognize the impulse. Sometimes I feel it too. The burden of other people’s junk and the siren song of liberty. The idea that the human cost is too hard to measure against the bottom line. And it’s argument has real merit. Too many rules do cut into our ability to innovate, create, and thrive.…
-
·
The Gospel of Nice
I made waves in a book group a few months ago when I said that the Gospel isn’t about being nice. Or kind. Or being “a good person.” Like Jesus says to the pious young man (who was doing all the right things to be “a good person”) you haven’t done everything. You still have stuff.…
-
·
The Prophet and the Prostitute
The answer is revealed immediately when Jesus tells a parable about forgiveness and the man can’t see the parallel. He can’t see that he is that man. The one to which little will be given. The difference between shame and faith Proper 6C | Luke 7:36-8:3 Jesus is a rulebreaker. I think of this every…
-
·
When we hate cheating…and following the rules
Imagine if Mitt Romney got caught stuffing ballot boxes in 2012. Well, not actually Mitt, but staff. Volunteers, actually. You’d be pissed, right? That’s serious, land his ass in jail stuff. Now imagine that election law only says that it is against the law to stuff ballot boxes. It doesn’t say what it means or…
-
·
Voices Are Found
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been told the importance of finding one’s voice as a writer. Find your voice they say. then people will really hear you. or beat down your door. or will see the authentic you. I’ve always taken these instructions to heart. I’ve always tried. Always writing in…
-
·
Of Rules and Fairness
In last night’s college basketball game, Michigan State beat Wisconsin in overtime. What is interesting is the crazy clock controversy that erupted during the game. The problem? Two clocks showing two different times and a game tying three-pointer that never was. Take a look at a news account of it. What is interesting to…
-
·
playing cards
As I climbed into the car, my daughter told me that she and her Nana were “playing cards” in the backseat. After a minute, I realized it was a modified version of “Go Fish”. “Do you have some 2’s?” she asks her Nana as I pull out of the parking lot. “Sophia, do you have…