So last video we talked about some of the ways to not effectively engage in civic action.  We talked about grandstanding, and being a jerk, and microfocus, and transient activism.  Now I’d like to talk about some of the “do’s,” some ways that you can engages in effective, rational civic action that might actually accomplish…

So the deal has been made, and the President and Congress have agreed to a compromise package. I’m seeing a lot of reactions to this online, and it seems like nearly all of them lack information and perspective. Now I want to be clear on this up front – I have said myself that if…

So the deal has been made, and the President and Congress have agreed to a compromise package. I’m seeing a lot of reactions to this online, and it seems like nearly all of them lack information and perspective. Now I want to be clear on this up front – I have said myself that if…

Disturbing Trends There has been a trend recently among my liberal friends that I find deeply disturbing.  There are a lot of ways I could phrase this, but basically it comes down to the demonization of nonconformist thought. This has been expressed in various ways, all of which have to do with being critical or…

Disturbing Trends There has been a trend recently among my liberal friends that I find deeply disturbing.  There are a lot of ways I could phrase this, but basically it comes down to the demonization of nonconformist thought. This has been expressed in various ways, all of which have to do with being critical or…

Christianity – “Less Violent” than Islam? I want to say before I get rolling on this that I no more endorse the religion of Islam than I do any other religion.  I firmly believe that religion and fundamentalist extremism by religious adherents has been and continues to be the most destructive force in humanity. With…

Christianity – “Less Violent” than Islam? I want to say before I get rolling on this that I no more endorse the religion of Islam than I do any other religion.  I firmly believe that religion and fundamentalist extremism by religious adherents has been and continues to be the most destructive force in humanity. With…

Populist Pot Pandering I’m pretty fed up with this whole “Ron Paul is SOOO GREAT” vibe that seems to be so popular online. Ron Paul is no different or better than any other right-wing Republican in any substantive way.  His primary basis of support among young people comes from his support for cannabis legalization and…

Populist Pot Pandering I’m pretty fed up with this whole “Ron Paul is SOOO GREAT” vibe that seems to be so popular online. Ron Paul is no different or better than any other right-wing Republican in any substantive way.  His primary basis of support among young people comes from his support for cannabis legalization and…

Disagreement A couple of days ago I got into a pretty intense disagreement with a very close friend. Of course, people disagree all the time.  That’s not news, or noteworthy.  The details of our friendship aren’t important to this show. What is important is the thing we disagreed about, and what it says about our…