And just like that, we are back!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greetings, friends! What a treat it\u2019s been to sit back, read and digest the opinions of our excellent Guest Writers! It is always insightful to sincerely listen to someone other than self. (Did I mention it is wise, too??)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But thank you, too, for the respite. I find myself returning to the pen and the post with a renewed energy and commitment to do this well. By \u201cthis\u201d I mean to discuss all things respectfully\u2026 to recognize that none of us have life all figured out\u2026 and to articulate with a raw humility, well aware that there is always more to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was affirming one of my bright young nephews recently \u2014 one who shared that he was approaching a select topic with an open mind, knowing that the great big God of the universe could always teach him more \u2014 and I said, \u201cHow wonderful! If only we adults could be more like that.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes\u2026 to realize that we can always learn more\u2026 that we don\u2019t have life all figured out\u2026 So on that note, what should we converse about?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much has happened in my absence\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 Andrew Luck left the NFL\u2026 Colin Kaepernick hasn\u2019t been invited back\u2026 A hurricane kind of came and went; granted, it decided to be really, really slow\u2026 oh, the Bahamas\u2026 my heart breaks for the Bahamas\u2026 what can we do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the Pan Am games concluded; they were held in Lima, Peru this year with 41 nations included\u2026 U.S. led the medal count, with Brazil and Mexico following\u2026 bodybuilding made its debut (with El Salvadoran athletes dominating), <\/em>and also, the daughter of Apple\u2019s Steve Jobs came in fifth in an individual equestrian competition\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 cable news maintained its not-so-quiet deference to a lack of objectivity. As has become my routine, in my multiple weekly trips to the gym, while on one of the machines equipped with TV capabilities (oh, the beauty of technology),<\/em> I devoted 10-15 minutes circling back-to-back-to-back-to-back between Bloomberg, CNN, FOX News, and MSNBC. Allow me a quite crude (but accurate)<\/em> analysis\u2026 CNN and MSNBC hate<\/em> the President\u2026 FOX likes<\/em> the President\u2026 and Bloomberg tries to focus less<\/em> on the President\u2026 Once again on respite, my concerns were renewed that so many actually think this is \u201cnews\u201d\u2026 just imagine\u2026 if every story is influenced by said angle\u2026 \u2026 more presidential promises were made, some spending billions and trillions, especially on climate change\u2026 climate conversations brought talk of bans, too \u2014 from straws to meat to even people, thanks to Bernie\u2026 Beto also seemed to decide utilization of the \u201cF bomb\u201d may infuse new life into his campaign\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 gun control\u2026 ah, yes, call me naive; call me an optimist\u2026 I believe our leaders (and us)<\/em> are capable of crafting a sensible approach. It seems Democrats and Republicans are actually \u2014 at least somewhat \u2014 meeting together on this\u2026 what can be done\u2026 what can\u2019t\u2026 what\u2019s actually effective\u2026 and what\u2019s more emotional speak\u2026 I pray they can make some progress \u2014 and resist, too, the temptation to denigrate the other \u2014 or \u2014 to fall prey to the (in my opinion)<\/em> arrogant ideology that they are the ones that have it all figured out (see above recognition, please)<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the squad came back\u2026 trying to decide do they play overseas, not play overseas, and\/or whether they will wear the appropriate attire. What? Ah, yes, I\u2019m speaking football, friends\u2026 New\/now-ex\/Oakland\/LA\/Las Vegas\/whatever-for-now Raider Antonio Brown was arguing about his helmet (and more)<\/em> as both the Saturday and Sunday squads are back on the college and profession gridiron\u2026 how exciting!\u2026 are you ready for some football?!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And just like that, we are back\u2026 ready to converse, ready to play, ready to learn, talk, and even embrace a little tongue-in-cheek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What a joy and privilege to share this journey with you. As our country too often divides and conquers, we will not. We will always converse\u2026 always respectfully so. Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR And just like that, we are back!! Greetings, friends! What a treat it\u2019s been to sit back, read and digest the opinions of our excellent Guest Writers! It is always insightful to sincerely listen to someone other than self. (Did I mention it is wise, too??) But thank you, too, for the respite. I find … <\/p>\n
I\u2019m struck by the inherent humility such a realization would bring to our every conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 Pres. Trump did something with a marker \u2014 or maybe not\u2026 Joe made something else up \u2014 or maybe not\u2026 is it a gaffe?<\/em> Is it a lie?<\/em> Is it misspeak?<\/em> Does it matter who says it?\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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