Author: Arthur Donart, Ph.D.

Senate Republicans like Lindsey Graham have been advocating that President Barack Obama send arms to the “Free Syrian Army,” refusing to admit that there is no such thing as a “Free Syrian Army,” although it sounds good.  Now these chicken-hawks are pressuring the President to send arms to the new

A panel of experts–people knowledgeable about the area, its people, and its problems–is very much in agreement that a military solution, by itself, to the challenge of ISIS, a.k.a. ISIL, is no solution at all.  The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is a terrorist jihadist rebel group.  A

I have always believed that with very few exceptions, the public’s business should be transacted in public. The very few exceptions are when doing so would result in damage to the public. For instance, if a public body is wanting to acquire land for a park, the owners could unreasonably

Editor’s note:  This panel from a 4th century sarcophagus is one of the earliest Nativity images. Christmas as a holiday and, as a Christian feast day, is a time of giving, of gift exchanges, and parties. It is also a time when fund raisers badger everyone they think they can

This has been in the news time and time again. It is a political issue with a lot of money riding on it. How much money? That’s hard to tell. For starters, TransCanada Corporation is a major North American energy company based in Calgary, Alberta, developing and operating energy infrastructure

While it is true that fewer people are choosing to attend religious services of any kind, the majority of people still believe in a God. They are on a spiritual journey, whether they realize it or not. In fact, those who question whether or not there is a God and

With unlimited election spending by PACS [political action committees], we are saturated with political advertising–much of it being false or deliberately misleading.  We are reminded that “So-and-so voted to cut Medicare.”  That is not what happened.  Congress repealed provisions that were a giveaway to insurance companies, for so-called Medicare Advantage

This will only take a few minutes of your time. Thank you. The following questions can be answered with a simple “Yes” or “No.” Do you favor cutting food stamps so the lazy S. O. B.’s will get off their butts and get a job? Do you favor land mines

It has been said that one Nation’s “terrorist” is another Nation’s “freedom fighter.” Unfortunately our government and others use this label without a great deal of thought. Our government accuses other governments of “supporting terrorists,” and other governments accuse us of doing the same. The accuracy of these claims depends

Rev. Jim Wallis wrote a very moving piece called, “What I Learned by Marrying a Priest,” (Sojourners, April 2014).  Unfortunately, we in the Roman Catholic Church are not likely to have this experience any time soon.  However, the importance of this question cannot be overstated because of its impact on

We visited Thailand in the summer of 2000 and lived there from 2001 through October 2006.  Fran, my wife, taught at International schools, starting with Rose Marie’s Academy.  I taught at a Thai public school called Preasertislam.  When I wasn’t teaching, I was writing articles for the Bangkok Post.  Virtually

Perhaps that’s not accurate.  Perhaps I should have said, “We need to rescue our Democracy.”  However, one party at a time.  So, I suggest starting with the GOP. I had been a Democratic activist and Precinct Committeeman until I was elected Republican Precinct Committeeman in South Beloit, WI.  I ran

I retired as a Roman Catholic Deacon in June of 2011 after 27 years serving the Church, mostly in Clinton, IA, but also for about five years in Thailand.  About three years before retiring, I was eliminated from the preaching schedule because of a homily I had given on the

As to be expected, Charles Krauthammer rips President Barack Obama’s agreement with Iran in Sunday’s [November 24, 2013,]Quad City Times article, “A Rescue Package for the Mullahs.”  Opposite is the column by David Ignatius, “Deal Makes Allies of Saudis and Israelis,” where he worries our old allies may not share