On Extinction – The death this week of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino on the planet, really affected me, and at first I wasn’t sure why. I don’t have any connection with rhinos. Perhaps it is because they seem so powerful and majestic; perhaps it is because looking at a rhino gives us a glimpse as to what the earth was like when dinosaurs roamed it. Most likely it is because the first thing I read about it was a …
Category: Off the Record
Why Can’t We Be Friends? I find the recent surge in popularity of television shows and movies about English politics and the monarchy to be well timed (I’m currently obsessed with The Crown). While many, I am sure, are intrigued by the romantic themes and glamorous lifestyles, my interest in these shows centers around how the screenwriters and directors depict the leaders of a bygone era. Will Winston Churchill be portrayed as disruptive and boorish, or as an intellectual and artist? Will King George …
The Misunderstood Constitution – From May until September in 1787, 55 brilliant minds in the newly minted United States of America met daily in the old Pennsylvania State House to debate and draft what was to become the most important document in our history: the American Constitution. Today, 231 years later, our Constitution stands as the oldest surviving written constitution in the world, demonstrating its ability to endure for ages to come. This is even more remarkable when you consider …
Schools and guns – Like many of you, I continue to be in a state of confusion, sadness, and anger – from a lawyer’s perspective, confusion over how to reconcile the Second Amendment with today’s realities; from a father’s perspective, sadness over how the parents and loved ones of the victims must feel; and from a Marine’s perspective, anger because helpless victims were murdered while unable to protect themselves. This tragic shooting shows the complexity of the problem because all the …
Another Tragic Shooting – My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the tragic shooting that took place Wednesday in South Florida. Once again, I am left shaking my head wondering how so much evil can exist in someone so young, and questioning at what point we will start to implement real measures at schools that will protect our kids. And while a necessary part of those safety measures includes a better process to make sure that …
Leadership – Question: What do President Trump, Sen. Mitch McConnell, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Paul Ryan, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi have in common? Answer: They are all in powerful leadership positions, yet none of them knows how to lead. Not surprisingly, none of them served in any branch of the military (except for McConnell’s five-week stint in Army basic training before being discharged for a medical condition). I say “not surprisingly” for if they had, they likely would have learned a …
Civility – Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a story about a plane carrying a group of schoolboys that is shot down over the Pacific. The only adult, the pilot, is killed but most of the boys survive. The rest of the story revolves around the ensuing decline of civility that occurs when this group has no one watching and regulating their actions. The boys break off into groups and compete to possess a conch shell, and ultimately wind up committing …
Immigration – Not too long ago (at least in terms of Western civilization) the parcel of land that is the modern-day United States was undeveloped and home to many different indigenous tribes. European explorers from several nations stumbled across this new land and conquered much of the east coast, divesting ownership from the native tribes, thereby becoming the occupants and citizens of this new territory. England had a stronghold in the northeast until the occupants of those territories became fed up with being …
Oprah – Rarely do we get a true glimpse into what the American dream is about. Born in Mississippi to a teenage single mother, Oprah grew up in extreme poverty and has risen to shatter numerous glass ceilings. She is currently the third richest self-made woman and is the richest black American, ever. So, when Oprah speaks, people listen – and they should! But Oprah for President: I think not. And I’ll tell you why… I did not watch Oprah’s speech at the Golden Globe …
Millennials – Seems I can’t go anywhere lately without hearing about the “millennial” generation and how their priorities are screwed up, their work ethic is lacking, and that they are “complacent.” I couldn’t disagree more. In fact, I find most millennials to be brilliant but incredibly restless because they feel they are being held back by the generations that came before, who are in fact the complacent ones. It is critical that we stop complaining and help this younger generation succeed, and …