February 7, 2020
With 153 gun-related homicides last year, it's clear we haven't solved the problem of gun violence in our city. A new "Gun Violence Intervention Program" has been in effect for more than 10 months here, and while it has promise, utilizing tactics that had its roots in a successful effort in gang-ridden Oakland, CA., there is not a lot of evidence the effort Is succeeding. At the dawn of 2020 city leaders proudly claimed the success of reducing gun homicides for 2019. But a closer look reveals non-death shootings were actually higher than the previous year. Pretty obviously, if the shooters had been just a little better at hitting their targets, we would have been unable to claim a reduction in gun-related homicides.
January 21, 2020
Love is a dangerous thing. Martin Luther King was targeted because while he hated the misdeeds of the past, he loved the future. He wanted all races to get together, he professed a future where we all lived in harmony. He talked about that future, he envisioned that future, he brought love to the future. And it worked. It is working. That is what so frightened his opponents...
January 7, 2020
Last week, the Indianapolis Recorder reported on the resignation of Pastor John Girton from Christ Missionary Baptist Church. After five years of leading the church in which he had been baptized, a church that was formerly lead by his uncle, he had to quit. "Pastor G," as he is commonly called, isn't old. He's not ill. He is burned out. Here's why: According to the Schaeffer Institute, 70 percent of pastors constantly fight depression, and 71 percent say they are worn out...
December 21, 2019
They say that life is ten percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we react to whatever happened. Since it's Christmas time, we know from experience that people will be in a hurry and tend to do things like cut us off in traffic, send us a size small when we ordered a large, and may generally be rushed and rude. Hopefully we can deal with these small offenses. But it gets more difficult with a house full of relatives. Christmas get-togethers can mean arguments over everything from how to cook a turkey to whether the polar ice cap is going to melt and flood Florida. However, there are some ways to get around these family debacles...
December 7, 2019
I'm a little lost. The Christmas season is upon us and I have cards to get out, presents to buy, decorating to be done, and everything that everyone else has probably already accomplished. I'm behind the 8-ball, as people used to say when they were behind on their tasks, and I have decided my excuse is that most of this has nothing to do with the real reason we celebrate.I blame the Germans...
November 21, 2019
In case you haven't been to Florida lately--News Flash--it is warmer there and there are lots of old people. Ok. I don't really qualify as young either, but visiting my mother-in-law this week was a lesson in how those who are in their upper eighties and nineties handle life in this temperate bastion of retirement villages, snow-white hair and pensions. Jim's mom is 92 and...
November 11, 2019
Many people know that as a result of a UNITE INDY publication that was sent to a prisoner at Putnamville Correctional Facility, I received a letter from an inmate named Jesse. Since then, we have written two or three letters a week back and forth for a couple of years. Letter writing produces a special kind of relationship. Many have wondered what kind of letters I get from him so I decided to share this with you...
October 21, 2019
For all those who plant winter wheat, the time is now to plant the seed. It's a great crop that has many advantages. It matures slowly which gives it time to cover the ground to protect the soil, and it doesn't cost much. All you have to do is remove competitive weeds.
October 7, 2019
Many were surprised last night at Christian Theological Seminary's Faith & Action event at Clowes Hall when Van Jones, a CNN commentator, a "social justice accelerator," and special advisor to President Barack Obama, praised President Donald Trump. I have to say, I'm right in there with him. Anyone who has followed my writing for long, knows that I have developed a close relationship with Jesse Rosbia, an inmate who as a young man, was put away for decades for a victimless crime. He is now 41 years old, and because of the prison reform legislation that Trump campaigned on and pushed through Congress, it looks like my friend could soon be released...
September 21, 2019
It is said that the definition of "poor" is when you have too much month left at the end of your money. You have income. Maybe just Social Security, but you get by. Then the tire blows on your only vehicle, or your child breaks his arm, or the furnace goes out and it's below zero outside.These issues are a pain to most, but to you, it's a financial catastrophe. So you take out a payday loan. You're in a hurry...
