As the United States gears up for our 250th anniversary in 2026, we should remember that the official start of our Revolution took place in Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts, in April 1775. By exploring our historic roots, we can draw inspiration and lessons for how to survive the Trump 2.0 Administration. There are pitfalls and […]
Present
Blog posts relating to the present such as social justice issues
Unnamed Women in the Christian Testament: Celebrating the Contributions of the Invisible
In earlier posts, we have highlighted women whose names and some of their roles in the Jesus movement we know, many of whom have long been ignored in the history of New (Christian) Testament scholarship (and Sunday School stories): women from Paul’s letter to the Romans, Chapter 16 (the apostle Junia, the deacon Phoebe, the […]
Let’s Discuss Evil
Evil is a huge topic, but since some influential figures on the American right have been using the term more frequently lately to describe those on the left, it’s important to look at the word in our current political context. The straight white man who has been appointed by President Trump as Deputy Director of […]
The Democracy Coalition Fighting Back – and How the Rest of Us Can Help
Millions of Americans are in an uproar over the “chainsaw” that the Trump Administration has taken not only to federal departments and employees but also to the Constitution and the rule of law. Lawmakers all over the country are fielding thousands of calls asking their Senators and Representatives to “do something” to stop the carnage. […]
Good News from the Baltic Nations
While recent national elections in the United States and some other democracies have taken a turn toward the right and authoritarianism, three nations that were once part of the Soviet Union are cutting ties with Russia and its ally Belarus in a courageous, significant way. As of February 8, 2025, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have […]
What Americans Need to Know about Stephen Miller
As we noted earlier, the people with whom a President surrounds himself (so far, sadly, “herself” does not apply in the US…) tell us a great deal about that President. The American people have seen Stephen Miller before in the Trump Administration, as Senior Adviser/Advisor, 2017-2021. Miller is proud to have helped orchestrate some of […]
Supporting Trump’s Targets
President-elect Donald Trump – convicted felon and psychopath – has made no secret of his desire to seek revenge on scores of people whom he deems his enemies, people in many professions and fields who have only been doing their jobs but who could become potential targets for investigation or worse. While Trump is often […]
Resistance in the Trump 2.0 Era
In World War II, with the Nazi menace threatening the entire world, civilians as well as armed bands of partisans and guerrilla fighters worked – usually secretly and at great peril to their safety – to thwart the Nazis in German-occupied France and elsewhere. Understanding that a win by Nazi Germany would be dire for […]
The Numbers Don’t Lie – And They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Much is being made in some circles of the supposed “mandate” that the convicted felon, President-Elect Donald Trump has won to do what he wants to do when he gets to the White House. The phrases being used include “an unprecedented and powerful mandate” (Trump in his victory speech); “a clear mandate to fix what […]
Post-Election Musings
Millions of us in the United States are deflated, demoralized and even scared after the 2024 presidential election has been called for Donald Trump. How do those of us who not only voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz but also may have supported them financially cope with this tremendous loss? How do we move […]