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We should keep in mind two complementary postulates: Inappropriate and illegal police action—including outright brutality—against citizens and even non-citizens, regardless of their race, must never be tolerated. Violence against police, regardless of emotions that may arise from inappropriate actions by law enforcement officials, must not be tolerated, much less advocated. When sufficient evidence of illegalRead more

The racially provoked violent events that are disrupting our nation made me think once again about my own racism: I am a racist by heritage. I was born in LaGrange, Georgia, and remained there until my beloved Andrea and I graduated from LaGrange College—a Methodist-affiliated liberal arts institution—married, and left for graduate school at theRead more

This post presents Chapter 1 from my novel in progress, tentatively titled “Going Forward” or “Play It Forward.” The present material is, and the novel will be, a work of fiction. None of the characters are based upon actual people, and the story definitely is not autobiographical. CHAPTER 1 Mary Elizabeth Jacobson answered the doorbell.Read more

My paternal great-grandfather, Frederico Frosolono, most likely was a communist. According to his second son, Antonio, Frederico was a member of a worldwide socialist organization. Great Uncle Tony was an ardent capitalist who became wealthy after coming to the United States. I think Uncle Tony could not bring himself to describe Frederico as a communistRead more

Our current political situation, especially the presidential campaign, suggests to me that our country is in the midst of a periodic disarray or disorder. This disarray stems from the lack of unifying goals the great majority of our citizens can support. Our involvement in the Second World War, elimination of polio, and landing a USRead more

Galileo Galilei (AD 1564-1642), who played a major role in the scientific revolution during the Renaissance, was an Italian astronomer, physicist, engineer, philosopher, and mathematician. He has been called the father of observational astronomy, modern physics, and science. Of his many scientific and technical contributions, he is perhaps best known today for championing the theoryRead more

CHAPTER 3 Sunday, Mid-Afternoon Dr. Kendall asked, “Is there a nearby BMW dealer where we can send our car to be repaired?” Captain Wade answered, “About 45-minutes away, in Anderson, SC.” “Ma’am,” Jacob said, “we have an excellent mechanic here in Vickery. He’s what we call a ‘car shark.’” Captain Wade agreed, “Rufus repairs anythingRead more

CHAPTER 1 Sunday, Mid-Afternoon Jason Andrews walked through the exit doors at the Delta terminal in the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta. The erect posture of his six-foot lean frame reflected his twenty years of military service, first as a graduate of the US Naval Academy and then as a jet fighter pilot. His lithe economyRead more

“Have you had enough to drink?” Jordan Elizabeth Rains finished her Jack Daniel’s sour mash, crunched the remaining ice between her teeth, and crumpled the paper cup before throwing it out the window of my father’s 1957 DeSoto. “I have a sufficiency, more would be a redundancy,” I replied, knowing what prompted her question. “PleaseRead more

Dictionaries define the adjective “existential” with the following descriptors: Of, or relating to, existence. Concerned with existence, especially human existence. Affirming or implying the existence of a thing. An “existential threat,” therefore, is a threat to the very existence of something, e.g., an individual, a country. People across the geopolitical spectrum—from conservative to progressive orRead more