Remind me, Dear One, to Tell you the fable about the Atom that hungered to be a Molecule. Most of us believe that what elevates a person in society is intelligence and talent, but this is not entirely true. Intelligence and talent are not insignificant;... Continue
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There have always been competitive ones among us; from brute physical aggression to sophisticated strategic thinking, the ambitious make waves in the fabric of society. For much of human history, competition ended in death, and it ends in death sometimes even today. In recognition of... Continue
I have been very moved by the current historical gathering of tribes in North Dakota. Thousands of Native Americans from more than 100 tribes and their non-native supporters have come together to peacefully protect the Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s land and water from the Dakota... Continue
Although a nonprofit’s bylaws form the foundation for the governance of the organization, most of its board members and staff have never laid eyes on the document…or at least not lately. Bylaws are originally created (and required) when a nonprofit organization is formed. While it... Continue
My father used to say "life can be good." A cautious man, he was wise enough not to categorically state "life is good." He knew, and the fact is, life can be difficult. Life's difficulties are both natural and unnatural. Our natural difficulties arise from... Continue
I know it sounds like the name of some aggressive law firm, but Mean and Hurtful is the way we sometimes treat each other. Exposure to the news is most often how I witness Mean and Hurtful, but the other evening I unexpectedly found myself... Continue
A sense of perspective is critical to wise and effective political advocacy. Deeply rooted social and environmental problems can be ameliorated and entrenched systems of power can be civilized by collective action, but as we wade into the currents of history we find that our... Continue
In the competition for tourist attention, no place beats Sonoma when it comes to having Local Characters, who have outdone themselves in the latest dust-up over leaf blowers. “The latest” started with a request by several hundred ordinary, sane, City residents who signed a petition... Continue
Please have some patience when you are voting in November -- you will need stamina to get all the information you need to vote on the state and local issues appearing on the ballot, the candidates for national, state and local offices… and oh yeah,... Continue
Where are you, Cesar E. Chavez, why aren’t you coming to finish the struggle you began? Where are you, that the farm workers’ groans don’t seem to matter to you? These days not many remember or care about what Cesar Chavez fought for. It seems... Continue