Archive
Francis Gets Served the House Specialty
With his gentle grace, disarming humility, and penchant for saying “God bless America” like he means it, Pope Francis appeared to sweep Washington off its feet. Cheering throngs accompanied his every move. The powerful and powerless alike made a fuss. Take Senator...
Pope Francis and the Pain of Prisoners
During his historic U.S. visit, Pope Francis made headlines for speaking truth to power at the United Nations and the Capitol. But the “people’s pope” also addressed the powerless. Everywhere he went, he called on Americans to treat our undocumented immigrants better....
Junipero Serra’s Unsaintly History
I greeted the pope's visit with enthusiasm. I might not be Catholic, but I appreciate Francis for his humility, his kindness, and his call for action to address the climate crisis. Then I heard the shocking news: During his visit, Pope Francis canonized Father...
Carly Fiorina Proves You Don’t Want a CEO for a President
In 1992, independent candidate Ross Perot chose Admiral James Stockdale, a complete unknown, as his presidential running mate. In his first debate, the VP candidate began by asking two good questions: "Who am I? Why am I here?" Carly Fiorina, the Republican...
Hating in Harmony
A Model for Democracy at the Grassroots Level
American democracy is the gritty history of workaday folks who get fed up with the stuffed suits, get organized, and get moving to stop the thievery. Gutsy, grassroots confrontation is necessary for reclaiming, maintaining, and advancing our democratic values. To see...
In OtherWords: September 23, 2015
This week in OtherWords, Kathleen Turner weighs in on the war against Planned Parenthood and Olivia Alperstein calls on Washington to welcome more Syrian refugees. Do you want to make sure you don’t miss the latest from OtherWords? Please subscribe to our free weekly...
Mending Our Welcome Mat
My great grandmother Rose was just 10 when she traveled to the United States with her family. They fled from Poland to England, took a boat to Canada, and crossed the border. The trip was long, but not nearly as treacherous as the journey many refugees are taking...
The Real Target of the Planned Parenthood Attacks
In the first two Republican presidential debates, the candidates slugged it out over who hated Planned Parenthood the most. Virtually every hopeful promised to defund the organization. Some of them, including Senator Ted Cruz, are vowing to force the issue — even if...
Nuts to First Class
I recently had the occasion to fly first class. As a poet and director of a small non-profit organization, this was a rare treat indeed. So why couldn’t I enjoy myself? It started with the warm nuts. I’d settled in with my free cocktail, having mastered the...
