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This is what Yahweh asks of you: this only, to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

If you want peace, work for justice. Pope Paul VI World Day of Peace Message, January 1, 1972

The United States is polarized on many levels. Politically the Republicans and Democrats are not just on different sides of the aisle in Congress but not speaking to each other. This shows up in ordinary society where some people claim to be right and everyone else is wrong. This is especially pronounced in matters of religion. Christians ought to be “loving one another” but instead throw barbs at each in the name of God. Some even preach hatred. The same is true in Islam. Fundamentalists have become a strong vocal minority in both of these great religions.

This site is dedicated to overcoming that polarization and division in several ways. There are columns on various social and political issues. While some are written with passion on a particular point, they are intended to spark dialogue rather than confrontation. I invite feedback.

The election is over. Barack Obama will be our new President on January 20, 2009. We need to support him and bring our country back together. We also need to challenge him to work on the problems facing our country. That is the focus of my November column published November 16.

I have published two books with this goal in mind. I am available to give talks on various subjects that are focused on peace and justice as well as other topics relating to Catholic Church, values, and more. My most recent addition is Blessings in Darkness, a reflection on light and darkness in the Bible and in life..

Issues has a general introduction to what is ailing our country and fomenting polarization. This section tells the difference between debate and dialog, an essay on violence as part of our American heritage with references to helpful sites, links to government leaders, and a guide to writing a letter to the editor with emails for several newspapers.