Inappropriate Conversations

Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas often generate family traditions.  At its best, the nostalgia of childhood forms a bond of memories that lasts a lifetime.  For me, a sheet of paper folded like a triangle has spun across four decades now, resting on nothing less than the edge of brotherhood. Different Drummer: Keith Jackson Yes, the tabletop looks like a basketball court rather than a football field.

Plenty of evidence suggests that those who argue the loudest about homosexuality are not able to explain what it is.  Perhaps it is human nature to lash out in fear against things we don't understand, but that is certainly not a proper Christian response.  Bullying and marginalizing people is not what Jesus would do.  Knowing how that fact conflicts with the actions of many Christians does not make me happy. Different Drummer: Ethan and Joel Coen

It's interesting to see how pro-choice friends react when I define abortion as the killing of an unborn child.  It is also interesting to observe the reaction of pro-life friends when I suggest that such a killing isn't necessarily or always "unjust."  Obviously, we have to clear up a few things before we can even define the word abortion, much less deal with the issue. Different Drummer: Judith Jarvis Thomson

Arguments against the Electoral College assign too much importance to the "popular vote" and too little importance to the "state" part of the United States of America. In a landslide led by the most populous parts of the country, as few as a dozen states could sway an election within the Electoral College. How few states would it be in a system based solely on popular vote? Before you answer, remember how important it is to avoid any voter being disenfranchised. Different Drummer: George C. Scott

Halloween has always been about kids dressing in costumes and collecting candy, right?  As I got older, the holiday was more about listening to the music of departed musicians and sharing stories with a close group of friends.  Is something inherently evil about October 31st? Or does the conservative backlash against Halloween actually do the devil's bidding by publicizing Satanism more than any Harry Potter lookalike asking for candy ever could? Different Drummer: Edgar Allan Poe

Time to respond to feedback for the first time, and certainly not the last.  The P's and Q's are your points and questions: excellent ideas for me to consider ... hopefully with adequate answers.  Thanks! Different Drummer: Hank Hanegraaff

Memory separates me from many of my friends and peers. It's not just that I have strong recollections of past events. I also remember at great detail some events that others do not recall at all, except perhaps with a vague sense of satisfaction or regret.  Well, if I've told you that I would remember you, I meant it. Always. Different Drummer: Alain Resnais