Inappropriate Conversations

Poems don't have to rhyme all the time.  Formalism, whether a metrical scheme or just assonance and alliteration, can inspire creativity through adherence to the form itself.  On the other hand, the most profound poetry I've ever heard or read came from more freedom to the verse. Different Drummer: Jim Carroll

"It is time to put the protest back into Protestantism" (Diana Butler Bass). I don't have an advocacy position on the "Occupy" movements, but I believe there are plenty of things happening in our society and economy that are worth protesting.  It's wrong to describe those who are loudly calling for reform "un-" ... if anything, they are taking typically Christian steps and a genuinely American approach.  See the Protestant Reformation or the American Revolution for parallels. Different Drummer: James Stewart 4 Reasons video A Great Awakening

I can recall times in my life when I would have said that breast reduction surgery is always a bad thing.  I wish I could say that I was "just a teenager" back then, which would make the thought both prurient and obvious.  No, that point of view survived more than 10 years after high school.  In fact, it only matured in very recent years. Different Drummer: Elisabeth Shue

Time to respond to feedback, formally, for the second time.  The P's and Q's are your points and questions: excellent ideas for me to consider ... hopefully with adequate answers.  Thanks! Different Drummer: Teri Garr Do Ask Do Tell - "Religion"

Our goal as parents cannot be making the world safe for kids.  That is irresponsible because it cannot be accomplished and won't serve them well as adults.  Instead, the goal must be to keep our kids safe from the world until they have been prepared to face its challenges on their own.  For many of my conservative friends, this sounds like a dangerous and radical concept.  It's also true. Different Drummer: Jim Henson

Easily the best argument against television is that it's not very good.  I believe that I would only watch a couple of programs a week if it weren't for sports and the power of recording.  DVR makes it possible to screen what I see.  A better tool would let me replace the current TV offerings with the older programs they are referencing.  Surely, all these imitators of "I Love Lucy" have some explaining to do! Different Drummer: Jay Bulworth

Even the deepest, most meaningful relationships can suffer if we forget how they started.  This is true in the Bible, where the Hebrew people seemed forget about everything in the book of Exodus before they even stepped into the land of Canaan.  It's also true in our human relationships, where sacred ground needs to be respected and protected.  I remember what I was doing 30 years ago this week ... and I pray that I never forget. Different Drummer: Tracy Pollan