Christopher Lamb on CNN Pope Leo XIV says control of artificial intelligence must not remain in the hands โof a fewโ while warning that technology is fueling world conflicts, setting out his proposals in the first major theological document of his pontificate. These include protecting the distinctive โgrandeur of humanityโ amid rapidly changing technology and... Continue Reading →
Lyndon Johnson and Heather Cox Richardson — A great vision of a good country
Reposted from Letters from an American, by Heather Cox Richardson on Substack. An audio version can be accessed here. [Heather Cox Richardson] On May 22, 1964, in a graduation speech at the University of Michigan, President Lyndon Johnson put a name to a new vision for the United States. He called it โthe Great Societyโ... Continue Reading →
Another well deserved prize for Maggie Helwig and her homeless community โ Encampment: Resistance, Grace, and an Unhoused Community
A video of her acceptance speech at the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing is here A transcript is below. (Check against delivery.) [Maggie Helwig] This is not my book. This book belongs to a community. I am cognizant that I am in the kind of room which I am not in very often, and... Continue Reading →
The judge
I have watched a lot of TV law shows over the years, but I never thought I would be in one. Yet, here I am, not in a TV drama, but standing in the real place, not in the highest court of the land, but a court that deals with matters of what the court... Continue Reading →
Barricade
Another in the series: โStories from Somewhereโ by Ken Gray Barricade โ (from French barrique 'barrel') is any object or structure that creates a barrier or obstacle to control, block passage or force the flow of traffic in the desired direction. The day has finally arrived. After many weeks of planning, our small group of... Continue Reading →
If in doubt, make a plan
Another chapter in the series Stories from Somewhere, fictional reflections of an unidentified place at an unknown time. Other chapters are listed here. Our paths have not crossed for a couple of weeks now, so I am out of touch. Obviously, Ronni and a few others have been busy making plans, exactly for what, I... Continue Reading →
Tailpipe standards, Trump, and your next vehicle
By Marianne Lavelle, Dan Gearino - February 13, 2026 - This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) Sign up for their newsletter here. With the repeal of the Environmental Protection Agencyโs scientific finding on the dangers of greenhouse gases,... Continue Reading →
First date
Love is blind? Or is it blue? โAnonymous proverb I want to make a good impression; to get our first date right. We had met in other ways โ by happenstance, at church events, at choir practice, and at community meetings. I had noticed Ronni from a distance. Sheโs attractive, and I sensed interesting. I... Continue Reading →
The true value of creation and the hidden cost of its destruction
Michelle Cyca, The Narwhal โ Via BC Assembly of First Nations [Michelle Cyca] "The latest power struggle over the future of the Canadian economy โ a hypothetical new pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast โ has devolved into a rote debate: are First Nations blocking economic progress? Coastal First Nations โ an alliance of... Continue Reading →
Rupture of the world order — The Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney
Here is the full text of a speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Davos, Tuesday January 20, 2026. It's worth reading in its entirety. Possibly one for the ages, especially this particular age. "Itโs a pleasure โ and a duty โ to be with you at this turning point for Canada and for... Continue Reading →