About This Blog

Thank you for visiting my new blog! I hope you will find it interesting, thought-provoking and informational, and here's why I think you might:

Lots of people and groups are talking about "the issues," but I sometimes find their discussions to be blurred by a lens that is either blatantly partisan or calibrated toward some specific, temporal end. For me, putting current issues "in focus" means evaluating the hot topics of our day in light of their effects on Truth, Goodness and Beauty in our society.

I have long had a passion for engaging in thoughtful, respectful dialogue about cultural and public policy issues. But I have often felt discouraged--sometimes even disgusted--by the harsh tones that seem to dominate public discussion on controversial topics and the lack of genuine understanding the heated arguments leave behind.

Generally speaking, I just don't believe that people who disagree with my position on issues are crazy or mean-spirited. Consequently, I believe that it is both possible and beneficial to engage in reasoned discussions about our respective views and the basis for them.

As I blog, here are some of my primary values:

* Civility - my disagreement with another's viewpoint does not make that person my "enemy," and I will endeavor to treat all people with respect, whether their views are like mine or different.

* Integrity in language - I will refrain from distorting the meaning of terms or labels, and I will expose such distortions when I encounter them.

* Understanding - I will genuinely seek to understand the viewpoints and positions of others.

* Honesty - I will tell the truth about my own position and never purposefully mischaracterize the positions of others.

* Hope - I will endeavor to have a constructive effect on culture and public policy rather than simply criticizing or complaining about current conditions.

I invite you to join me in this journey by following the blog by e-mail; just add your e-mail to the empty box on the upper right, and click "submit." I look forward to having you along and hearing your feedback along the way!