After the sale, will Twitter and society be better or worse? — “Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy,” declared Twitter’s new owner. “And Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated.” These are the words of Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, who now adds Twitter to his portfolio…

If we can’t agree on this, we probably won’t agree on anything — Set aside your political leanings, your party or movement affiliations, your frustration with the news media, and any cynicism you may have toward your government, and tap into your basic humanity. I’m not asking you to think as a Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, libertarian or socialist, or as…

If you appreciate American democracy and civilian oversight of our military, don’t forget March 15, 1783 — On this day (March 15) in 1783, General George Washington spoke to the disgruntled officers of the Continental Army who were on the verge of rebellion against the Continental Congress. The American Revolution was nearing its end. The last major battle of the war had taken place nearly two years…

A nation that can’t agree on heroism is a nation destined for extinction — The United States of America is in trouble. We are rapidly becoming a nation without heroes, and our nation will cease to exist if we don’t do something about it. That America is in trouble is perhaps beyond dispute. A Quinnipac poll last year revealed that most Americans believe our…

If we are going to have a vacuous holiday in February, let’s just call it the February Monday Holiday and be done with it — Holidays in the United States used to mean something, and they are still supposed to mean something. And perhaps some still do, but not the one celebrated on the third Monday of each February — the holiday most Americans know as “Presidents’ Day.” Originally established in 1885 to honor the…

Here are quotes from all 45 American presidents for you to ponder — Presidents’ Day is upon us. This year, that holiday falls on Monday, February 21, giving most Americans a three-day weekend. And for those who take it, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of America’s forty-five presidents. Originally established in 1885 to honor the father of the United States…

The fact is that belief itself has real power — Anyone who disciplines his or her mind to adhere to a positive outlook on life and who possesses a deep and abiding sense of belief and faith will generally experience greater success and fulfillment in life than those who live in doubt, fear, or anxiety. This is true for virtually…

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” -King Solomon (Proverbs 11:2, KJV) — If you want to be successful and at peace in your life, you need wisdom. And in order to grow in wisdom, you need humility. The opposite of humility is of course pride. And while most people may not think of themselves as prideful, the reality is that there are…

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee” -King Solomon (Proverbs 3:3, KJV) — A brief glance at social media today makes obvious one of the most troubling crises in our society: We’re losing any sense of mercy. This crisis is not just evident on social media, but in everyday relations in our society. We would rather condemn or cancel each other than listen…