Category: Political Musings
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2020 Year in Review: Comments on the State of Things & the Sorensen Household
At the close of this historically terrible year, it is hard to know exactly what to say in a post that aims to describe how the year went for Mike and me, as well as our current state of mind. But I’ll try. After all, that is why I am writing this post in the…
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Redefining Words: The Fight for Language
Have you noticed that redefining certain hot-button words in our Western culture is actively happening? Indeed, redefining words to definitions that are an aberration from their actual, historical meaning? Earlier this year, noticing this disturbing trend, I decided to screenshot some word definitions for posterity. I figured I’d use them for some reason sooner or…
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Maybe Things Aren’t as Bad as We Think: An Optimist’s Take on Political Incivility
In the United States of America, we are more divided as a nation than at any time in recent history. While I wasn’t personally alive during the Civil War (despite what small children might think regarding my ancient status), my knowledge of it makes me conclude that the deep divisions in ideology were also largely…
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Interacting Online with Differing Opinions: To Engage or Not to Engage?
Today’s digitally-connected world is more polarized than ever. As one who came of age before the proliferation of social media, I still sometimes sit back with amazement to think about how we can now easily interact with people and content channels all over the world. While this has its myriad of benefits, it also creates…
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Thoughts From a Forgotten Demographic: Conservative Christians Who Didn’t Vote for Trump
I am troubled by the precipitous decline in civility amongst people in the United States who hold opposing views. This topic has been on my mind for some time. While I don’t often write about politics, I’ve stated before my thoughts on how to address this decline. This article is just my way of sharing my…
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To My Friends Who Vote Differently Than I Do: Election Thoughts
This post has been updated 10/31/2020. It was originally published 11/5/2018. With a big election upon us, to cap off an unprecedented year of terribleness that 2020 is, I thought I’d send out a feeler into the world. Is there still a chance to value people over politics? I think there is. Allow me to…
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Happy 4th of July, I Guess (A Brief Account of My Waning Patriotism)
A month before Independence Day, store shelves, as usual, began to don red, white and blue USA flag-printed everything: kitchenware for BBQs, patriotic shirts, garden flags, you name it. Seeing these types of items used to get me amped for the upcoming Fourth of July and all its festivities. I hesitate to report that I…
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You Can Be Passionate About Politics without Being a Jerk (And You Should – Here’s How)
I’m not sure about you, but in the months leading up to the last presidential election, and in the time since, I have been continually floored at how rude, tactless and malicious the state of political discussion in America has become. It was so bad during the election season that I chose to remain silent…
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Happy Fourth of July! (A Wet Blanket Independence Day Greeting)
Happy Fourth of July! It is only appropriate to start an Independence Day post with those words, or something similar. The “wet blanket” portion of this post is what follows. While the wish is sincere (why wouldn’t I want you to have a great Fourth, after all?), it is a qualified greeting. That is because…