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Recent Stories
Congrats, Legislators: You Did The Right Thing
BUT THERE WAS A SIMPLER, CHEAPER OPTION
The Arkansas Legislature did the right and good thing. They passed a federally funded extension of health care insurance for hard-working Arkansans in low-paying jobs. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Fading Ideas Growl As They Die
IT’S TIME TO RECOGNIZE LOVE MORE BROADLY
When an idea has lost its power, it is like a fatally injured bear caught in a trap: It roars loudly and makes its fi ercest, most absolute claims, even as it is dying. Continue reading...
What To Do When The Dark Angels Visit
HOLDING ON FOR GIFTS THAT COME THE HARD WAY IS A DIFFICULT, YET REWARDING CHALLENGE
My friend John tells of a dry, arid time in his life. He felt like the verse from Psalm 63: “My soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.” He felt lifeless and bereft. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Religious Call: Medicaid Expansion Good For All
Jesus of Nazareth was known as a healer. Continue reading...
Psychology, Bible, Evolution Agree On Generosity, Cooperation
In my Dec. 16 column, I wrote about some troubling research with children documenting a human tendency toward bias. Infants who choose Cheerios over graham crackers will actually reward a puppet who punishes another puppet who chose graham crackers over Cheerios. According to researchers, “We are predisposed to break the world up into different human groups based on the most subtle and seemingly irrelevant cues, and that, to some extent, is the dark side of morality.” Bias against the “other” seems to part of our human inheritance. Continue reading...
Baby Research Reveals Virtues, Flaws
CAN WE LOVE ‘THE OTHER’ ENOUGH TO OVERCOME OUR INNATE TENDENCY TOWARD BIAS?
There was a fascinating story on CBS’s “60 Minutes” recently about research at the Yale University Infant Cognition Center. Using puppet shows, researchers at this baby lab have been able to create simple ways to find out what is going on in the minds of little ones, even at 5 months or 3 months of age. Among their findings — infants have a sense of morality and justice. Continue reading...
Income Disparities Threaten Economy
IT’S TIME TO TILT THE FIELD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION TO PROMOTE HEALTHY GROWTH
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall; who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David improvise on instruments of music; who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph. Continue reading...
Studying The Politics Of The Kingdom Of God
WHAT IF WE GOVERNED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE VALUES JESUS LIVED AND TAUGHT
It is almost time to vote. Continue reading...
How To Harass A Good Man To Death
A VETERAN FIREFIGHTER’S ARKANSAS LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE RETIREMENT SYSTEM TURNS ON HIM
One of the fascinating things about my job is that I have the privilege of being with people during some of their most challenging times. Occasionally I meet someone extraordinary and inspiring. Bud Planchon is one of the most remarkable people I know. Continue reading...
Legislature Should Do The Right Thing
EXTENDING MEDICAID HEALTH COVERAGE MAKES SENSE FROM AN ECONOMIC, HUMANITARIAN PERSPECTIVE
“For I was sick and you took care of me …” “Lord, when was it that we saw you sick …?” “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these … you did it to me.” There is some good news coming down the pike for some of “the least of these.” Medicaid is extending to cover people who earn up to 138 percent of the poverty level. That means an individual earning $15,414 or less will qualify for health care coverage, and a family of four with income no more than $31,809 will have insurance. Most of these are working people who generally can’t aff ord health insurance. Continue reading...
