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Sacred Ground

When you first see it, it is just a piece of low ground situated along a fast-flowing, southern river. Then you look about and see the cannons, plaques and memorials and you realize that you are at Pittsburgh Landing on the Tennessee River at Shiloh. You glance down at the brochure sent to you by the National Park Service and there is the old photo taken in 1862 of this place crammed full of steam boats delivering the goods of war — yes, this is that same place. This is same piece of ground that General Grant and his Army were jammed into on Sunday, April 6th of that year as the ...

State’s Captured Agencies Are Letting The Fox Guard The Henhouse

I am writing in response to a recent Post-Journal and OBSERVER article regarding the Cassadaga Wind Project. Owner RWE claims, “Local support for the project remains strong.” I do not believe our local bats, eagles, raptors, songbirds, most living creatures or most turbine neighbors agree with RWE. Residents within one mile of the wind project recently received a mailer giving instructions on how to register a complaint with Cassadaga Wind once the project is operational. The letter did not state why residents will likely be putting the complaint hotline on speed dial. ...

Prayers Like Incense Drift Up To Heaven

Most of us have said at least a prayer or two in our lives. Maybe a cry for help to the Lord or a praise for something good. Maybe you’ve whispered words on behalf of another soul going through a hard time. In Christianity, prayer is a huge part of what we do. We say the Lord’s Prayer. We recite prayers with others at church. We pray for those who are afflicted. We pray before a meal or at bed time. But, if you’re like me, you haven’t really given the act and the concept of prayer too much thought. We’re having a conversation with God — and that’s that. But what a ...

Echo Chambers Here, There, Everywhere

I got some feedback last week. I learned something from it. I had written two weeks ago about far-right “echo chambers” of “news” — really, opinion — that push “I only watch them” viewers into loops of substituting pure fiction for news. There is nothing wrong with opinion forums. This column is an opinion piece, not a news piece. The harm comes when brainwashed readers/viewers believe that endlessly repeated opinions are facts. I criticized far-right echo chamber forums Townhall and Newsmax because I visit those sites nearly every day. I am familiar with them. I ...

Andre Expresses His Fears And Concerns

In this, the third and final installment, I remind the readers that Sol and May agreed to confer with their foster son, Andre, about meeting for a home visit. The expectation of a full meeting was interrupted due to Andre sleeping. We sat and drank tea when suddenly Andre awoke startled by a nightmare. Once fully awake, we spoke about the discussion we had with his foster parents about my home visit. He was open to some inquiries from me. Andre was unable to recollect his nightmares, thus eliminating an interpretation. However, I wondered silently if we might break free what had been ...

Inside The Political Echo Chambers

Each day, I tiptoe into the politically far-right networks’ echo chambers. First, though, I find out what did happen in the world via the web sites of news organizations that focus on “news. Here is what I learned on Wednesday, Feb. 17: ≤ Dozens of people died when Arctic temperatures snarled Texas’ electric power grid, British Broadcasting Company site. ≤ Europe is getting 30 percent less of the Pfizer COVID vaccine than it ordered, Reuters news service. ≤ Israel finally allows COVID vaccinations in Hamas-run Gaza, Associated Press. ≤ Japan to pay United States ...