Small Things

If you want to do big things, do small things well consistently.

Precious Vote

Seeing the travail that Iraqis have faced just to get the right to vote, we Americans should appreciate all the more how precious our freedom is.

Replaceable

In the work world, everyone is replaceable.

National Embarrassment

Ted Kennedy has become an embarrassment not just for Massachusetts, but for the nation. With Iraq's historic free elections just days away (paid for dearly with Iraqi and American lives), Kennedy is calling for U.S. troops to withdraw. Surely he knows that this would not only snuff out any hope for democracy in the Middle East, but it would also turn the Iraqi people back over to the tender mercies of the thugs. The rape rooms and other horrors would quickly be open for business once more. The time has come not for the American soldier to withdraw, but for Ted Kennedy to withdraw.

Mel's Passion

While the Academy deigned to throw The Passion of the Christ some crumbs in a few lesser award categories, it declined to give nominations for Best Picture or Best Director. I guess Mel Gibson will have to content himself with the knowledge that he changed many lives, pulled off something Hollywood said couldn't be done, and made tens of millions in the process. Not a bad bargain, all in all.

Freedom

Political freedom, like spiritual freedom, is never free. It is bought with the blood of another.

Schiavo's Case

The Supreme Court has refused to take up Terri Schiavo's case in Florida. The decision, over the objections of her immediate family members, likely will lead to Schiavo's starvation after doctors remove her feeding tube. Schiavo, 41, is not even comatose. Expect more such utilitarian decisions as we shift further from a culture of life to a culture of death.

More Equal

Too many Americans still make distinctions between human beings, finding some (in the words of Orwell) "more equal than others." With 45 million unborn children aborted since 1973, with 400,000 frozen human embryos in limbo at fertility clinics across the United States, and with human embryos increasingly viewed as sources of raw material for medical cures for those of us who have escaped the dangers of the womb, we have a long way to go before living out the Declaration's "self-evident" truth that "all men are created equal."

Football Served Cold

Football is a cold-weather game, but this is ridiculous. The Super Bowl used to be played by this date (and in places like Miami and Los Angeles). Isn't it time to shorten the season?

Idealism vs. Realism

Amazing how the Democrats (and some Republicans) have reacted to the president’s second inaugural address. George W. Bush is now trashed for utopian idealism, while the “party of compassion” is all about “realism” in foreign affairs–a “realism” that ignores oppression and excuses tyranny when it occurs elsewhere.

Answering the Call

While perhaps lacking some of the rhetorical flourishes that headline writers love, President Bush’s second inaugural address about freedom and human dignity was relentless in its focus, nonpartisan in its tone, magisterial in its aim, and ennobling in its call. The president has asked us to live up to our republic’s highest ideals–not only for ourselves, but for others. Freedom is a gift not just for the privileged few, but for all. Compassion and common sense require that we share it. “It is the honorable achievement of our fathers,” Bush said. “Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation’s security, and the calling of our time.” Are we ready to answer the call? Can we afford not to be?

Transition Time

Today, as our 43rd president takes the oath for a second time, give thanks for another peaceful transition of power and pray that we become “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Rather and Rush

On Tuesday, CBS head Les Moonves said the network is thinking about making significant changes to the evening news to recapture viewers (and credibility). One idea being floated is a multi-anchor format to replace the discredited Dan Rather. Another is to hire Katie Couric, another liberal. If Moonves is serious about increasing the audience (and restoring some ideological balance to the network news), here's a modest suggestion: Hire Rush Limbaugh.

Acting "Arrogantly"

Every time President Bush wins an election, he acts as if he won. This “arrogance” is driving his critics crazy.

Partisanship and Security

Partisanship over national security is a luxury we can no longer afford. Don’t the president’s partisan critics realize that if he fails over Iraq or homeland security that we all fail? They should stop the loud, self-serving attacks and quietly offer constructive criticism instead. Voters aren't the only ones listening.

How to Act

Today, act like the kind of person you want to be.

Hockey Canceled?

What if they canceled a hockey season and nobody noticed?

Randy's "Moon"

Reggie White used to be the face of the NFL. Now it’s Randy Moss’s “moon.”

Athletic Character

If athletic discipline builds character, how do you explain Randy Moss? The guy has money, fame, a sculpted body–and precious little else. What a waste. Once he hangs up the spikes, the attention-hungry Moss will be just another punk, soon forgotten by the fans.

Chicago Weather

Don’t complain about Chicago’s January weather if you’ve chosen to live here. Sip some hot chocolate and be glad you’re not in Southern California right now.

Don't Wait

Don’t wait for your children to grow up before you enjoy them. Don’t think about how much better they will be when they have reached a certain level of maturity (always the next one). Love them now. Savor them as they are–today, tomorrow, and every day you have them.

Idea Power

The most powerful thing ever produced by man is an idea. Its power, though not always immediately evident, influences generations, for good or ill. It can only be overcome by another idea.

Smith-Barney Gospel

We Americans subscribe to the Gospel according to Smith-Barney: We think we have to earn God’s acceptance. But if getting to heaven were a matter of good works, why did Jesus die on the cross?

Not Shocking

With heavy populations in vulnerable areas and poor infrastructure, the shocking death toll in South Asia is–sadly–not all that shocking.

Stretch Yourself

Stretch yourself. Try something new.

Too Busy?

Too busy to do something over? Do it right the first time.

Risk Failure

You will never grow unless you risk failure.

Mediocrity

The road to mediocrity is the path of least resistance.

Yes, But

The Democrats are trying to win hearts and minds with a platform of “Yes, but.” On Iraq, they support the troops but not the war. They support a woman’s “right to choose” but are “personally opposed” to abortion. They say they support traditional marriage and the people’s right to decide the issue, but they oppose actual efforts–such as the Federal Marriage Amendment–to keep the issue out of the hands of liberal judges. Even on traditionally Democratic issues, they have become the party of “Yes, but.” They support solvency for Social Security but oppose any efforts to reform the program before it goes bankrupt. The Democrats say they care for the poor, but they fight approaches–such as school choice and the president’s faith-based initiative–that would actually help the poor. No wonder they are losing elections.

Tomorrow and Today

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Don’t waste today.

Controlled Response

You can’t completely control what will happen to you this year, but you can control how you respond. Instead of fear, try trust. Instead of pride, thankfulness. Instead of anger, humility. Instead of despair, perseverance.