Pacifist, Humanist, Pragmatist — Trying To Make Sense In Aftermath Of Sensless Virginia Tech Shootings

There are plenty of wonderful tributes to the victims, survivors, and their families on the web, both in the MSM as well as Facebook and Myspace. It’s important to understand the human losses this week. Personal stories of the victims make clear the depth of losses in the tragic shootings on the Virginia Tech […]

Martin O’Malley Calls For End to Maryland Death Penalty

Maryland’s New Governor, Martin O’Malley is seeking an end to Maryland’s Death Penalty. The move is good government policy and is correct from both moral and ethical points of view.
O’Malley is taking good advantage of a change in mood around the country, questioning the death penalty, as we continue to assimilate more data and anecdotal […]

Is Nothing Sacred Anymore?

The meaning of words is very important to me. As I write, words will flow from my fingertips that seem to express what I want to say, and as a particular word appears on my screen, I’ll question it. I know the word when I see it in context, and the language flows naturally, but […]

Claims of Saddam’s Martyrdom Were So Predictable

It’s not always satisfying to be correct. Sometimes it can be damned aggravating.
Last week I wrote:
Who benefits from the death of Hussein? Certainly the risk to the U.S. is greater in killing him than it would be to let him wither away in isolation and obscurity. One can make the argument that he deserved to […]