Monthly Archives: March 2016
When I first realized individual happiness was not a recognized objective in the 17th century, I assumed happiness as a civic goal was a more recent but laudable social invention. Then I learned Jefferson cut out a great deal of the Bible before concluding pursuit of happiness was one of the top 3 objectives. “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” documents where I began to question his work. Today is International Happiness Day as set by the United Nations,…..
The desert sunlight is relentless and unforgiving — unless you plan ahead. The animals and plants must compete viciously to acquire and retain water, and then bloom passionately in deep colors during brief favorable conditions. Only the extreme survive, but when they do they tend to survive for ages, growing slowly but with deep roots. The people reflect the lessons of their environment. It all sounded great on paper: we can vote ahead of time by sending in a simple paper ballot……
I admit to multitasking the March 3rd Republican debate with Robin Dreeke’s new book. That is, until Donald Trump’s response “Just look at the size of those hands,” crossed the screen. It was a response to Marco Rubio’s prior unfortunate joke “And you know what they say about guys with small hands” that occurred at a campaign rally the prior week. I had the feeling I was watching a campaign end, watching it go into free fall before my eyes,…..
In honor of Woman’s History Month, let me introduce the life and work of Anne Hutchinson. Three hundred seventy nine years ago Anne Hutchinson was the mother of fifteen, the respected midwife and counselor, and a house-church leader. Banished from Boston, she settled as a refugee from persecution for cause of conscience on Aquidneck Island near Roger Williams’s colony, an experiment in the separation of church and state. Roger Williams helped her come to his region even though he did not…..
Fly through Pudding Street as it was just before the fire started that burned down St. Sepulchre. That’s the fire that destroyed so many records of Roger Williams’s day. This street is about a 20 minute walk from where HH was arrested and a 45 minute walk to the area where Roger Williams grew up in London. “Six students from De Montfort University have created a stellar 3D representation of 17th century London, as it existed before The Great Fire of 1666……