Mark's Blog
Exile. Lament. Love. Repeat. A sequence I have settled on to help me deal with the chaos and cruelty that is swirling around us and raising havoc within us. Certainly around and within me. Exile. Exile involves being barred or sent away from one’s country. That is...
Responding to the de facto Congress with Power Rather than Resentment
We have a new de facto Congress. It has not been voted in by various constituencies across the country, but it has been elected. By one person -- the President. The qualifications for this rump Congress are becoming increasingly clear: loyalty and wealth.The...
Agape Love: A Political Act
As vengeance, threats of violence, and vilification continue to take over the airwaves – and increasingly get deployed on many of our city streets – there is an ever more urgent need to expand the concept of love. Not only to expand it, but empower love to wade into...
The Need to Put on a Life-Giving Mask
As an airplane taxis toward takeoff, I invariably treat the mandatory instruction from the flight attendant as annoying background noise: “Make sure you put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others”. Most of us don’t pay any attention, because we figure such a...
Responding to Those Who are Itching for a Fight
A vivid memory burst into my consciousness a few days ago, which has, for me, a direct connection to the recent deployment of the National Guard in several US cities.Several years ago I was sitting at the old Yankee Stadium, attending a Red Sox-Yankee game. My friends...
Building Bridges Across Difference and Discord
While at a national Bridging Movement Summit held at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate last week, I heard a number that lifted my heart. I learned that there are over 11,000 groups working in America to bridge divides and strengthen democracy. ...
Charlie Kirk and the Prophetic Voice
Much was said at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk which was attended by thousands, including President Trump and other national leaders. Much was said about his life, his faith, his passion, his positions, his patriotism, his family. And much will continue to be...
Responding to Political Violence
It is an escalating pandemic of political violence. The attempt on Donald Trump’s life in July 2024. The attempted murder of Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and his family in April. The killing of Minnesota State Senate leader Melissa Hortman and her...
Non-Violence Has a Power That Can Make a Difference
It is a mind numbing and soul wrenching turn of events. The Department of Defense is now referred to as the Department of War. The President has indicated that he will soon deploy National Guard troops to Chicago. On September 2, the US Navy attacked a ship in...