It seems the more I write these columns, the less they deal with specific issues, and the more they focus on the overarching problems we face as humans interacting with each other in society. I blame the philosophy department for this, but I hope they understand that this sort of blame only says good things about them. Before I go further, I should warn anyone … Continue reading Believing doesn’t make it so

The election is finally over, but the relief comes with a fair amount of pain for Republican voters who, like me, were hoping for an election night miracle. One by one, many of the politicians I’ve spent weeks and months campaigning for fell by the wayside. There were glimmers of hope — Senate kept its filibuster-proof 60 vote majority and some House Republican candidates achieved … Continue reading Hug a Republican

Life is hard. It is an endless search for meaning, but that meaning is difficult to find. We often pose many anxiety-inducing questions: What should we do in a failing economy? Why can’t I find a job? Why am I busting my butt to get decent grades? Why have hundreds of thousands been killed in Darfur? Why did cancer take my friend’s mom? What am … Continue reading Find your religion

Note: The following is a satire. The intent is to lampoon conservative fears of an Obama victory. Please do not take this seriously. It is has been three years since Barack Obama was elected, and his 2012 reelection campaign has prompted many to look back upon the last three years to explore the changes that have taken place. Indeed, the changes have been vast, causing … Continue reading If Obama wins: A satire

Do you own a laptop computer? Mobile phone? Sony Playstation? Instead of asking, “What is the meaning of life?” or “Why is the sky blue?” perhaps you should ask, “How many people died in order to manufacture my cell phone?” The phrase “blood diamond” is not a new concept. Americans hear about the horrible mining industry through the television, other news sources and even through … Continue reading Blood cell phones

Dear Diary, The feelings have been getting stronger no matter what I do. The last few weeks have grown simply unbearable. I wake up with sweaty palms, a palpitating heart and abstract, poetic lyrics swirling around in my head with no means of escape. I’ve been in denial long enough, and I can’t lie to myself any longer. Diary, I think I’m in love with … Continue reading It’s official: I’m in love with Regina Spektor

Would you know what I meant if I told you I were sun-drunk? Bear with me for a second; I think you know exactly what I mean. This intoxication comes not from the bottle but from hours and hours at The Lake soaking up the sun, pure and unapologetic. When you eventually retreat back indoors, you still feel the heat of the day in your … Continue reading To Minnesota, with love

John McCain and the other Republican candidates across the country are experiencing a political nightmare right now. I feel, however, that this election could be the perfect opportunity for the Republican Party to reestablish the conservative principles that can best get us through our country’s current economic crisis and all of our other serious domestic and foreign policy challenges. For far too long, many Republican … Continue reading Principles over politicians

Heather lives in a little house with a big apple tree in the front yard and lots of tall grass in the backyard. Heather’s favorite number is two. She has two arms, two legs, two eyes, two ears, two hands and two feet. Heather also has two mommies. Mama Jane and Mama Kate.” The above quote is from the well-known and groundbreaking children’s book, Heather … Continue reading Tolerant toddlers: tolerant teens

I’ve said before that I am someone who looks for and seeks out change in the world. I think I ought to talk about that a bit. You know, the whole “change” bit. As strange as it might seem, it’s actually the timeliest concept I can think of right now. Change, as I imagine it, should be a habit. There are a lot of people … Continue reading Complacency