It’s my birthday. I am grateful to see this day, and I pray to see May 31, 2023. After 58 years on this earth, I find joy that I’m in relatively good health. I have a wonderful wife and a fantastic family and recently joined an incredible team of community…

On Memorial Day 2022, I am weighed down by death. Death and violence are at the core of the holiday. It is the day to honor military service members who died in our nation’s wars and Veterans who died after returning home. But this Memorial Day, with so many violent…

On September 11th, 2001, I worked in Manhattan for the National Conference for Community and Justice, formerly named the National Conference of Christians and Jews. We worked to fight all forms of bias and bigotry. Our efforts were rooted in dialogue by helping people listen and see each other. I…

Thirty years ago, I was a U.S. Army Captain serving in the Gulf War, relieved that I was alive, fighting had ended, and we would soon head home. I did not imagine the landscape of war would come back to haunt me as an activist for peace in my country…

“The worst part about having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don’t.” — Arthur Fleck A few weeks ago, I watched the 2019 film, Joker. Nominated for eleven Oscars, including for best picture, and winning for Best Actor (Joaquin Phoenix as Joker) and Best…

I was surprised to find a picture of me in front of a line of police on Shutterstock. It cost $199 for me to use it in this post, so you will have to follow this link to see it. It was taken during a demonstration at the 2008 Republican…

I watched some of the House debate about Donald Trump’s 2nd impeachment. Though I shouldn’t be, I am still amazed at how most Republicans find a way to dismiss President Donald J. Trump’s behavior. They keep talking about what Democrat politicians said and compare the overwhelmingly peaceful summer protest to…

Thirty years ago, I and two other captains in the 3rd-41st Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Mechanized Infantry Division Tactical Operations Center, or TOC posed for this picture. Missing loved ones, we sent letters and photos home, trying to assure our families there was no need to worry and that all…

How many people have died in U.S. wars? We seldom ask this question. When I asked Google, I found it hard to find a definitive answer. I did find a number for U.S. service members who died. The figure for “enemy combatants” and civilians deaths in U.S. …