Growing up, many of us were taught the first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, by a group of Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe. Some of us even held classroom reenactments of the event, donning funny…
‘The Ellinwood Caper’ and the spirit of nostalgic hometown Halloweens
Not too long ago, while perusing a local bookstore, I noticed a collection of macabre literature brought out just in time for All Hallows Eve. I stumbled upon a book titled Haunted Heartland. Perhaps you can imagine my surprise when…
A politician’s worst enemy and a leader’s greatest ally
A well-informed electorate is a politician’s worst enemy and a leader’s greatest ally. This proves consistent in every race from a city council to the presidency. Politicians thrive in areas where constituents take them solely at their word. But as…
‘Unarmed truth and unconditional love’ will prevail over pharisaical fallacy
During my brief time in office, a fringe group of radical Islamic extremists pushed for various state legislatures to enact bills that would enforce Sharia Law. I signed a petition against it. Today, a fringe group of radical Christian extremists…
Toxic crusaders: The rise of the ultracrepidarian-turned-influencer
George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” Ultracrepidarians are individuals who fancy themselves as experts in subjects which they know little to nothing about. While they may come across as confident, their…
Wrong paths can still lead to right places and failed dreams can still create successful people
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question most of us were asked in our childhood. When I was young, a lot of kids dreamed of being astronauts, doctors and firefighters. Then we grew up….
Walking a mile in worn-down shoes: A look at wealth disparity
Greed is defined as “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed.” While it’s true the wealthiest among us have no significant impact on your financial status, as someone once said, “Poverty exists not because we…
Hopeful positivity, the most powerful countercultural revolution a person can wage
During the pandemic, actor John Krasinski created a YouTube series titled “Some Good News.” From his living room, the actor famous for his role on The Office shared uplifting stories showcasing humanity’s good side. Unfortunately, once life got back to…
Clowns to the left, jokers to the right: Stuck in the middle with (half of) you
In January 2024, a Gallup poll indicated an average of 43% U.S. adults identified as politically independent in 2023. Meanwhile, 27% of respondents identified as Democrats or Republicans, respectively. In other words, roughly half of Americans say they aren’t loyal…