ethics

July 7, 2026

Karma Won: The Lesson Of The Red Card

America didn’t just lose a soccer game this week; I would argue it has lost its sense of proportion. How Donald Trump came to feel that he must be involved in a referee call in a World Cup soccer match is breathtaking. He felt so empowered that he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review… Continue reading

donald-trump, ethics, Social Commentary, Society, Sports

donald-trump, ethics, politics, Society, Sports, world-cup
July 6, 2026

Why Graham Platner Must Withdraw From Senate Race To Protect Democratic Party Values

I strongly lament that the guardrails of common sense and decency have eroded in our nation when it comes to our political institutions. It is from that starting point, when the political winds have shifted and Donald Trump has treated norms as disposable and accountability as optional, that I implore the Democratic Party to seek… Continue reading

2026 Midterm Elections, Democrats, Elections, ethics, Graham Platner, maine, Susan Collins, Uncategorized

2026-midterms, donald-trump, ethics, Graham Platner, news, politics, sexual-assault, Susan Collins
June 28, 2026

Decency, In Politics And Government, Is Really Not Complicated

This weekend, two recent news stories bounced about in my mind. Both were examples that underscore the rot in our current political climate and governing institutions. I do not wish to be puritanical in my delivery in this column, but can we agree that there was a time when certain lines were not crossed, but… Continue reading

ethics, Pete Buttigieg, Samuel Alito, Social Commentary, Society, Supreme Court

chasten-buttigieg, ethics, justice-alito, news, Pete Buttigieg, politics, Supreme Court
June 16, 2026

Why I Will Not Support The United States Soccer Team At The 2026 FIFA World Cup Games

At the risk of ruffling a few patriotic feathers, I need to say something plainly and to the point. When a nation behaves badly on the world stage, there should be consequences on the world stage. Right now, the United States is pursuing immigration and deportation policies that are cruel by design and racist at… Continue reading

ethics, ICE, immigrants, Iran, iran-war, Social Commentary, Society, Sports

ethics, fifa, football, Iran, iran-war, news, soccer, Sports, world-cup
June 13, 2026

The Lowest Moment As We Watch Public Life Decline In Donald Trump’s Second Term

I was a toddler when President John Kennedy was assassinated. Over the course of my lifetime, there was always a respectfully placed invisible line around his death and the loss of life so young due to his role as our national leader. A young widow and young children, and the continuously unanswered questions of what… Continue reading

donald-trump, ethics, history, Kennedy Center, politics, Social Commentary, Society

1963, donald-trump, ethics, history, jfk, Kennedy Center, Morals, news, politics, president-kennedy
May 29, 2026

Letter From Home: “Do They Know How To Make Grits?” 5/29/26

After an intense 12-hour day, James and I are exhausted in every sense of the word. Our friend with Alzheimer’s was moved today to an assisted living facility in a fashion that was modeled after a White House move. Everything was orchestrated from those who would keep our friend active and away from all the ‘action’,… Continue reading

Alzheimer’s Disease, Letter From Home, Social Commentary, Society

alzheimers, Dane County, ethics, health, life
May 6, 2026

Lies From The Oval Office Are Creating A Threat To Democracy

When we start to rebuild and address the myriad problems Donald Trump created, fostered, and nurtured during his terms in the White House, it will be essential that we begin with his default position of telling lies, seemingly with every breath. Regaining honesty in the Oval Office might seem like a low bar to achieve,… Continue reading

ethics, politics, Words

donald-trump, ethics, lies, MAGA, news, politics, Words
April 19, 2026

Ridglan Farms Protest: Compassion For Animals vs. Laws That Govern Society

I read and watched news coverage of animal rights activists attempting to break into Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding and research facility in Blue Mounds, this weekend. They were repelled by a heavy law enforcement presence from Dane County. My heart is with the dogs, my sense that laws and rules need to be abided… Continue reading

Animals, Dane County, Law, Law Enforcement, Uncategorized, wisconsin

animal-cruelty, Animals, beagles, blue-mounds, Dane County, ethics, history, philosophy, politics, ridglan-farms
March 10, 2026

Wisconsin Anti-Trans Bills: A Cruel and Unconscionable Onslaught

What we are witnessing in the Wisconsin State Legislature and across the United States is nothing short of a calculated and deeply injurious campaign against transgender people, particularly transgender youth, driven by Republican lawmakers who have chosen to weaponize identity for political gain. There is no better way to define it. This relentless barrage of… Continue reading

conservatives, ethics, Morals, republicans, Social Commentary, Society, wisconsin, Wisconsin Politics

conservatives, ethics, gender, lgbtq, politics, republicans, trans, transgender, wisconsin
March 7, 2026

Nation’s Nerves Have Been Scrapped Raw

Over the past two weeks, I have placed a few thoughts or phrases haphazardly into a Word document about an issue that is hard to headline, but one that, as a nation, as a people, we are not properly discussing. Every day, there is another jolting topic that borders on absurdity, unreasonableness, or outright illegality.… Continue reading

ethics, Foreign Policy, international, Law, Morals, Social Commentary, Society, Uncategorized

democracy, ethics, faith, history, Morals, philosophy, politics

Recent Columns

Humphrey History Minute

Coffee Shop Banter

Brett Benson on Why Graham Platner Must Withdraw From Senate Race To Protect Democratic Party ValuesJuly 6, 2026
I wholeheartedly agree with you!!! The problem with the Democrats is that they want the majority and if that means…
jnd911 on Decency, In Politics And Government, Is Really Not ComplicatedJuly 2, 2026
I have been thinking about a facet of this, the lack of accountability. What started this was an email from…

Perfect Addition To A Cup Of Hot Steaming Coffee

My book is about a rural family, finding a way through the years of being bullied, and the suicide of my best friend. Many recollections about the days in broadcasting, the state legislature, and coming out as a gay man.