I have friends that embraced the passion of politics. Absolutes rule their day. If you don’t agree with them then you’re a communist. It’s all black and white. Point out something that might be incorrect and you’re accused of falling for the left-wing media. But we’re still friends. I think.
You're right, it's on both sides. I just see much more of it from the right. Lots of folks in the middle just keep our mouths shut and deal with it until we can't.
Yup, and when people have such staunch beliefs that I feel it cruel to others I call them on it or cut ties due to character. As I’ve heard, when someone shows you who they are, believe them. If you fly a confederate flag it’s clearly NOT about “heritage.”
I've been abused and cancelled by so-called friends on the left. The view of who are the worst offenders depends on which side of the aisle you sit on. There are three sides to every story. I will say, I don't see students from the young republican's club turning over tables and taking professors hostage...or blowing up car dealerships.
And to be transparent, I voted for Trump. But I don't consider myself MAGA. I am a fiscal conservative, pro-business supporter of the middle of the road, with a lean to the right.
Tommy …. I hear what you are saying. Unfortunately, tying your wagon to a fellow that is 100% MAGA speaks volumes and nothing can change that. Trump is as far from the middle of the road as you can be.
In my opinion, his distance from reality is what’s so troubling especially in this approach to tariffs. He’s intent on saying over and over again that tariffs will bring in so much money when, as we’ve just witnessed, there is absolutely no truth in that statement. Were it so, the markets certainly would not have reacted as they did after the close yesterday and today.
I'm wondering why so many people think having to prove citizenship is somehow wrong. I'd love to vote in other elections - the UK, France, China, Germany. But I can't - because I'm not a citizen. Why is this such a huge burden for Americans? And if you think it is reasonable that non-citizens should be allowed to vote in the US, then please, let's get on the case of voting in foreign elections. I know a LOT of people around the world who would be thrilled to vote Hamas out of power.
Wait...legitimate question: so does this mean one can get a driver's license, military ID, social security card or receive Medicaid or any other federal/state assistance WITHOUT showing proof of citizenship? When I renewed my driver's license to change my name after marriage, I had to provide a certified birth certificate, marriage license, social security card and two forms of proof of current residency. If you've been married more than once in my state, you need to show divorce decree and marriage license for every single instance. Granted, I might not carry this documentation on me on a daily basis, but I have it, and would bring it to vote if necessary, just like I bring my health insurance card to a doctor's appointment.
Now you see the irony. My wife changed her name in 1975 when we married. Now she would have to jump through hoops, especially when so, so, so many federal workers have been fired and they’re aren’t enough staff to handle the day-to-day, much less this!
I'm not sure I do see the irony...my point is that doesn't one need to prove citizenship in order to get a social security card, which then allows you to obtain all of those other forms of identification and services? So having one of those by default proves citizenship.
Try using your SS card at airport security. A SS NUMBER is required along with other forms of ID for the things you outlined. A SS card in and of itself is not an acceptable photo ID.
The irony is that this proposed change will also complicate married women voting. The right doesn’t like the concept of women making decisions about anything. Everything I’ve read about the proposed changes states your name must match your birth certificate.
When I divorced, I had to pay the court 250$ to restore my maiden name. They did not ask for proof of citizenship. I did not take my 2nd husband’s last name. For signing up for Medicare, they didn’t ask for proof of citizenship. When I got my Veteran’s ID card, all they asked for was my DL and DD214. For application for Social Security, they did not ask for my citizenship, for my Passport, yes. They asked for everything.
But didn't you need a social security card to do all of those things (driver's license, Medicare, Veteran's ID, etc.)? Doesn't that by default prove citizenship? My point is that if you've obtained any of those forms of ID or services, you've inherently proven citizenship by way of first having the SS card to access them. Right? Or no?
Look all I did was publish an article that speaks to viewpoint greater than my personal experience. There are so many people in these US states who have such a different experience than I have ever had or will ever have. If it works for you, glad for you. I’m just saying there are other people out there who might now have these wonderful experiences. I’m white and privileged. And please note I among ADVOCATING that non citizens get to Vote for our government. NOR am I saying that they have or have not done so. So please express your own opinion without reading into what you think I’m saying or not saying.
I am married and had no trouble proving I'm a citizen when I got my passport and global entry card. 7-10% in Texas would have trouble, meaning 90-93% will not. Again, catering to the minority is what got us here in the first place. I agree with Vivian, if I could vote in other countries I'd do it, but I'm not a citizen and cannot. The argument against having to show proof of citizenship is a cop-out. If the President was a democrat people would be signing his praises for finally pulling the trigger on this.
For many people, in order to comply with the ever changing state regulations for voting, it would involve not only hardships but a cost which amounts to an illegal POLL TAX. There is a simple solution to voter ID laws which republican state legislatures seem to conveniently overlook. That is for each state Board of Elections to issue a card similar to a driver’s license, right then and there at no charge when a voter registers to vote. Frankly, voter ID was never an issue until the Voting Rights Act was passed. Even then, it was never the hot button issue that it’s become within the last 15-20 years. By the way, I noticed someone posted a link to The S.A.V.E. Act and what it will mean for a lot of different people, especially women if passed. The purpose of the bill is to start moving ipus back to the 1790’s. If you know your history of the time, you’ll know too the only ones who were eligible to vote.
Owning up to a mistake, even if technically it might be a misinterpreted reading by a reader, is honorable. Trying to keep pace with Trump’s executive orders and court challenges is a real trick these days and if I were you I would try to avoid that quagmire .
I’ve read your newsletter for years, and I believe that you and I, Bill, would vote for opposing people, but we are not polar opposites. I also believe that reading people that disagree with me politically is the only way to truly understand the issues of the opposite side, and why they feel the way they do. I’m not well informed and definitely not able to be well-spoken politically. But I do think that a sign of intelligence is able to listen to an opposing viewpoint, disagree, and shake hands at the end of the day.
I love your work and respect that you are upfront if you do make a mistake or misunderstand. That being said tolerance for other people’s views seems to be lost in our culture. You are one of the best reads of the day.
I know it's hard for writers to cover all events that are coming out of Washington. But it's also hard for readers to read lop-sided versions of important news events. One reader gave you a hard time about getting something about Trump wrong. Now I'm about to give you a hard time about not mentioning Cory Booker's 25-hour rebuke of Trump in your newsletter. Come to think of it, it's hard for me to remember you reporting news of the various things people are doing to fight what is happening in the nation. This realization severely disappoints me. Why did Corry Booker's historical record-breaking event fall under your radar? Why wasn't it important enough to mention in your newsletter, even in the 7 other things worth knowing today section? And I know this is not necessarily a political newsletter. But you do report plenty about political events. So why not this one? Even if you're not asking yourself this question, I'm asking it about you and how it will affect my decision to continue to read your newsletter.
You're right that I haven't mentioned Sen. Booker. I have something about this tentatively for Free for All Friday tomorrow with a bit of an explanation.
I first subscribed to your newsletter back in the day when politics didn't consume the majority of your attention. There are plenty of existing avenues to keep up with the political news of the day and often, most of the political points that you include in the 7 things worth knowing, I've already seen in my morning news feeds. You've been pretty good about keeping it neutral here, even though we know which way you lean. You're never going to satisfy both sides of that debate so my recommendation is stay neutral if you're going to cover politics. We need more civil agreement than disagreement. Check out News Nation - Chris Cuomo if you want to see both sides of an issue.
And as I have commented before, there are so many more good subjects for you to write about if you change your focus. Now how about an article on the Masters or The Boston Marathon which are right around the corner.
Oddly, Bruce, while I have also been a longtime reader of Mr. Murphy, I really don't know how he leans. And I do like your suggestions on the Masters. Oh well.
Not sure I'd have bothered responding or writing on that letter specifically. It was very obvious the reader was very biased (terms used: not to be trusted, blind, misguided, hatred, misinformation from the left). This is someone who has no interest in hearing anything that goes against what they believe to be true. Was this person a paid subscriber? That wasn't really obvious. I ask only because of the whole "accounting" and fees commentary. If the reader was not a paid subscriber, you were just the target of the day. A non-partisan response would have been a request for clarification if there really was something to be disputed.
On another note, most of the executive orders from this administration are mostly deeply divisive distractions from what really matters. Flooding the zone so the opposition has so much to respond to that any response if there is one is diluted. This next 3 and some years cannot go by fast enough. This is not governing as usual. Most of us vote one way or another because of specific issues but they aren't usually so partisan. I'm a centrist and a moderate and this period we are living through is a dangerous one. I have friends (ex friends) I can no longer be around because of the way they think things should be and try to convert everyone to their cause. Trump flags added in to trick or treating bags etc. Not a conversation can be had without the topic coming up and it is obnoxious. It is like an infection and they do not have the ability to recognize it in themselves.
I enjoy most of the editions of your newsletter. I shared yesterday's article with my adult children who are raising their own families now. I don't often send them stories but thought that was a worthwhile one to share. I've been a subscriber for some time now and usually enjoy the content. Occasionally I feel that you are getting a bit political but finish the article because I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. I've thought about unsubscribing but I feel that there is way more good than bad. Keep up the good work. I can filter what I want, and appreciate the content most of the time.
Bill, I so resonate with your plight! I am an ordained minister and have been writing and praying what we have called "A Prayer for the Headlines" for the past 15 years or so on our local radio station, WITZ-FM, 104.7, Jasper/Huntingburg (Indiana). It started as a ministry of the church of which I was the pastor; it continues now as a public service of the radio station where I am an employee. The prayers air at 7:58 am, just before the 8:00 news on MWF, and usually are about what will be on the news. Where I say that I resonate with your plight is the different political/religious beliefs present in this area: Democratic/republican, Catholic/Lutheran/protestant/nones. If I was to write/pray my "own" prayers, no way would they have lasted to this day. However, to me. the station, and the listeners, the prayers are totally given to me by God through the power of the Holy Spirit. I, similar to you, see the headlines and the stories. The Spirit points me to the one about which I am to pray. The Spirit then writes the prayer through my hand, and I get to send it out on the air with my voice and in my typed print.
Probably through other ways people know I am a conservative, usually republican/independent, protestant. But I don't think it comes through easily on through the "Prayers for the Headlines."
Bill, I even sometimes use what you print. I appreciate all of your writings and hope you will continue for a good long while! Thank you for your writings!
Let’s remember all the other religions - just in the top 10 - such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Judaism, Taoism, Caodaism, Sikhism, and Confucianism.
So right. I’m a Humanist myself after years of trying very hard to find some religious avenue that really spoke to me. Turns out, a contributor in my local paper, Chris Highland, really spoke to the very thing I was looking for. Thank goodness for the differences in all of us. I couldn’t think of a worse society to live in than one that was homogenized. Reminds me too much of The Stepford Wives. Ewww!
In reason we trust. They have a license tag in SC with that line similar to the one with in god we trust. I would have that myself but opted for the “Share The Road” Palmetto cycling tag.
I enjoy your newsletter because you stay away from politics/government activities. There are plenty of other venues for people to obtain whichever side of an argument they believe is the correct version. I would suggest you stay away from that and continue your reporting about all the other things that are going on in the world that either don't receive any press or are so interesting and cool that they deserve a wider audience.
I also love to read the articles Bill writes that aren't political. We can get our political info from other sources. IMO, Bill's info, often very informative, often fun, sometimes funny, can provide the respite needed from the divisiveness in the political realm.
Sadly the issue for proof of citizenship is a significant one for many of us. Those of us with AAPI or Latino heritage stand out visibly and there are multiple stories of ICE targeting brown people to ask for proof of citizenship, including the Midwest city I live in. As a brown person,I carry a copy of my passport as a result. Just the fact that people ask me where I’m really from (born here many many decades ago to naturalized citizens) when my white spouse and family have never been asked that question, is an example of racially based privilege that many people don’t even realize they have.
In addition, married women whose name on the birth certificate differs from their REAL ID may also be challenged when showing proof of citizenship, if they don’t possess a passport.
Thanks for mentioning the issue of married women changing their name. With all the chaos I forgot about critical that aspect could be. Talk about a vote suppressor for one specific group!!!
I have a relative who is a naturalized US citizen, has an accent, a lot of the things you are talking about that make it a bit scary today. My advice was to get the US passport card since it's wallet sized. I hate that I have to give this advice, but it seemed like a practical idea, less likely to forget at home than a book-sized passport. (For what it's worth I also got one of these a few years back just in case I ever was away from home without my regular passport and had a business reason to go to Canada.)
I have one too, but had a few photocopies of the regular one and figured less risky than carrying the real ones around.
Thank you Bill, BTW, for your newsletter. It’s difficult to find current info that is neutral and worth reading about. And being able to respectfully discuss issues with people whose views differ and as a result expand one’s understanding is something worth cultivating and encouraging.
Oh Bill. Y’all will love the entire state! Sonoma is beautiful as advertised and the Canyon is magnificent! I should know too. Back in 2004, my girlfriend and I traveled down into the Canyon on the mules. This was on Saturday after an 8” snowstorm that happened on Thursday the day we were supposed to go down. They needed Friday to put ice shoes on the mules because, while things would warm up as we descended, it would still be icy up on the rim as we left. We got a fascinating talk by the park ranger about the geological history of the Canyon and the Colorado River’s part in cutting it. Too bad DOGE has cut most of the national park staff now. Be glad you’re going soon.
I lived in AZ for awhile, around 1975 - fun place!! Sonoma was very nearby, so we visited there often. Went to the Grand Canyon several times, before living there & after.
Bill, I believe you are always looking, writing, and believing in truth; however, as humans, we are not error free. I don’t understand a world where we believe everything online, we only believe what we agree with, and if it’s not what we agree with, it must be wrong. Differences is how we thrive, and no man is an island. Trump is obviously, unequivocally, a liar and mentally unstable. He is hurting everyone and everything he touches. Speaking that kind of truth is why we are here everyday, whether or not we agree or like it. If it’s not fact and truthful, there is no value. You, sir, have value. I’ve never been too crazy about Kool-Aid either.
I have friends that embraced the passion of politics. Absolutes rule their day. If you don’t agree with them then you’re a communist. It’s all black and white. Point out something that might be incorrect and you’re accused of falling for the left-wing media. But we’re still friends. I think.
You're right, it's on both sides. I just see much more of it from the right. Lots of folks in the middle just keep our mouths shut and deal with it until we can't.
Yup, and when people have such staunch beliefs that I feel it cruel to others I call them on it or cut ties due to character. As I’ve heard, when someone shows you who they are, believe them. If you fly a confederate flag it’s clearly NOT about “heritage.”
Funny, I see much more of it from the left.
Your comment is a perfect example of Tommy’s point. Thanks for making it easy!
I've been abused and cancelled by so-called friends on the left. The view of who are the worst offenders depends on which side of the aisle you sit on. There are three sides to every story. I will say, I don't see students from the young republican's club turning over tables and taking professors hostage...or blowing up car dealerships.
And to be transparent, I voted for Trump. But I don't consider myself MAGA. I am a fiscal conservative, pro-business supporter of the middle of the road, with a lean to the right.
Tommy …. I hear what you are saying. Unfortunately, tying your wagon to a fellow that is 100% MAGA speaks volumes and nothing can change that. Trump is as far from the middle of the road as you can be.
Don't disagree with you on Trump's distance from the middle.
In my opinion, his distance from reality is what’s so troubling especially in this approach to tariffs. He’s intent on saying over and over again that tariffs will bring in so much money when, as we’ve just witnessed, there is absolutely no truth in that statement. Were it so, the markets certainly would not have reacted as they did after the close yesterday and today.
same
I'm wondering why so many people think having to prove citizenship is somehow wrong. I'd love to vote in other elections - the UK, France, China, Germany. But I can't - because I'm not a citizen. Why is this such a huge burden for Americans? And if you think it is reasonable that non-citizens should be allowed to vote in the US, then please, let's get on the case of voting in foreign elections. I know a LOT of people around the world who would be thrilled to vote Hamas out of power.
https://responsivegov.org/research/the-save-act-how-a-proof-of-citizenship-requirement-would-impact-elections/
Thank you so much for sharing this link! This demonstrates what it would really be like. I never cared for kool-Aid either.
Wait...legitimate question: so does this mean one can get a driver's license, military ID, social security card or receive Medicaid or any other federal/state assistance WITHOUT showing proof of citizenship? When I renewed my driver's license to change my name after marriage, I had to provide a certified birth certificate, marriage license, social security card and two forms of proof of current residency. If you've been married more than once in my state, you need to show divorce decree and marriage license for every single instance. Granted, I might not carry this documentation on me on a daily basis, but I have it, and would bring it to vote if necessary, just like I bring my health insurance card to a doctor's appointment.
Now you see the irony. My wife changed her name in 1975 when we married. Now she would have to jump through hoops, especially when so, so, so many federal workers have been fired and they’re aren’t enough staff to handle the day-to-day, much less this!
I'm not sure I do see the irony...my point is that doesn't one need to prove citizenship in order to get a social security card, which then allows you to obtain all of those other forms of identification and services? So having one of those by default proves citizenship.
Try using your SS card at airport security. A SS NUMBER is required along with other forms of ID for the things you outlined. A SS card in and of itself is not an acceptable photo ID.
The irony is that this proposed change will also complicate married women voting. The right doesn’t like the concept of women making decisions about anything. Everything I’ve read about the proposed changes states your name must match your birth certificate.
I'm married and completely ok with whatever I have to do in order to prove I'm a citizen on that one day every 4 years.
When I divorced, I had to pay the court 250$ to restore my maiden name. They did not ask for proof of citizenship. I did not take my 2nd husband’s last name. For signing up for Medicare, they didn’t ask for proof of citizenship. When I got my Veteran’s ID card, all they asked for was my DL and DD214. For application for Social Security, they did not ask for my citizenship, for my Passport, yes. They asked for everything.
But didn't you need a social security card to do all of those things (driver's license, Medicare, Veteran's ID, etc.)? Doesn't that by default prove citizenship? My point is that if you've obtained any of those forms of ID or services, you've inherently proven citizenship by way of first having the SS card to access them. Right? Or no?
This article is worth a read if you really, honestly, truly want to understand the voting issues:
https://responsivegov.org/research/the-save-act-how-a-proof-of-citizenship-requirement-would-impact-elections/
Look all I did was publish an article that speaks to viewpoint greater than my personal experience. There are so many people in these US states who have such a different experience than I have ever had or will ever have. If it works for you, glad for you. I’m just saying there are other people out there who might now have these wonderful experiences. I’m white and privileged. And please note I among ADVOCATING that non citizens get to Vote for our government. NOR am I saying that they have or have not done so. So please express your own opinion without reading into what you think I’m saying or not saying.
Am NOT , not ‘among’
Not. Not ‘now’. I should proofread closer
I am married and had no trouble proving I'm a citizen when I got my passport and global entry card. 7-10% in Texas would have trouble, meaning 90-93% will not. Again, catering to the minority is what got us here in the first place. I agree with Vivian, if I could vote in other countries I'd do it, but I'm not a citizen and cannot. The argument against having to show proof of citizenship is a cop-out. If the President was a democrat people would be signing his praises for finally pulling the trigger on this.
For many people, in order to comply with the ever changing state regulations for voting, it would involve not only hardships but a cost which amounts to an illegal POLL TAX. There is a simple solution to voter ID laws which republican state legislatures seem to conveniently overlook. That is for each state Board of Elections to issue a card similar to a driver’s license, right then and there at no charge when a voter registers to vote. Frankly, voter ID was never an issue until the Voting Rights Act was passed. Even then, it was never the hot button issue that it’s become within the last 15-20 years. By the way, I noticed someone posted a link to The S.A.V.E. Act and what it will mean for a lot of different people, especially women if passed. The purpose of the bill is to start moving ipus back to the 1790’s. If you know your history of the time, you’ll know too the only ones who were eligible to vote.
Thanks for your writings.
Owning up to a mistake, even if technically it might be a misinterpreted reading by a reader, is honorable. Trying to keep pace with Trump’s executive orders and court challenges is a real trick these days and if I were you I would try to avoid that quagmire .
That is precisely what they want you to do: be so overwhelmed with the chaos and noise that we cover our ears. 🙈🙉🤷🏼♂️
I’ve read your newsletter for years, and I believe that you and I, Bill, would vote for opposing people, but we are not polar opposites. I also believe that reading people that disagree with me politically is the only way to truly understand the issues of the opposite side, and why they feel the way they do. I’m not well informed and definitely not able to be well-spoken politically. But I do think that a sign of intelligence is able to listen to an opposing viewpoint, disagree, and shake hands at the end of the day.
Your reply separates you significantly from Bill’s former reader who stated
“I am fed up with misinformation from the left and choose not to waste any more of my time.”
Fox News as the only news source is a great way to ensure the truth never makes it to our door.
Good work, Bill. To err is human, but to chronicle it and work to do better is superhuman. Very worth the effort.
I love your work and respect that you are upfront if you do make a mistake or misunderstand. That being said tolerance for other people’s views seems to be lost in our culture. You are one of the best reads of the day.
I know it's hard for writers to cover all events that are coming out of Washington. But it's also hard for readers to read lop-sided versions of important news events. One reader gave you a hard time about getting something about Trump wrong. Now I'm about to give you a hard time about not mentioning Cory Booker's 25-hour rebuke of Trump in your newsletter. Come to think of it, it's hard for me to remember you reporting news of the various things people are doing to fight what is happening in the nation. This realization severely disappoints me. Why did Corry Booker's historical record-breaking event fall under your radar? Why wasn't it important enough to mention in your newsletter, even in the 7 other things worth knowing today section? And I know this is not necessarily a political newsletter. But you do report plenty about political events. So why not this one? Even if you're not asking yourself this question, I'm asking it about you and how it will affect my decision to continue to read your newsletter.
You're right that I haven't mentioned Sen. Booker. I have something about this tentatively for Free for All Friday tomorrow with a bit of an explanation.
I very much appreciate your response. Thank you for considering what I wrote.
I first subscribed to your newsletter back in the day when politics didn't consume the majority of your attention. There are plenty of existing avenues to keep up with the political news of the day and often, most of the political points that you include in the 7 things worth knowing, I've already seen in my morning news feeds. You've been pretty good about keeping it neutral here, even though we know which way you lean. You're never going to satisfy both sides of that debate so my recommendation is stay neutral if you're going to cover politics. We need more civil agreement than disagreement. Check out News Nation - Chris Cuomo if you want to see both sides of an issue.
And as I have commented before, there are so many more good subjects for you to write about if you change your focus. Now how about an article on the Masters or The Boston Marathon which are right around the corner.
Oddly, Bruce, while I have also been a longtime reader of Mr. Murphy, I really don't know how he leans. And I do like your suggestions on the Masters. Oh well.
Not sure I'd have bothered responding or writing on that letter specifically. It was very obvious the reader was very biased (terms used: not to be trusted, blind, misguided, hatred, misinformation from the left). This is someone who has no interest in hearing anything that goes against what they believe to be true. Was this person a paid subscriber? That wasn't really obvious. I ask only because of the whole "accounting" and fees commentary. If the reader was not a paid subscriber, you were just the target of the day. A non-partisan response would have been a request for clarification if there really was something to be disputed.
On another note, most of the executive orders from this administration are mostly deeply divisive distractions from what really matters. Flooding the zone so the opposition has so much to respond to that any response if there is one is diluted. This next 3 and some years cannot go by fast enough. This is not governing as usual. Most of us vote one way or another because of specific issues but they aren't usually so partisan. I'm a centrist and a moderate and this period we are living through is a dangerous one. I have friends (ex friends) I can no longer be around because of the way they think things should be and try to convert everyone to their cause. Trump flags added in to trick or treating bags etc. Not a conversation can be had without the topic coming up and it is obnoxious. It is like an infection and they do not have the ability to recognize it in themselves.
Certainly “flooding the zone” with all the tariff news! Perfect timing to deflect from Signalgate and Sen. Booker, not to mention the NY mayor.
I enjoy most of the editions of your newsletter. I shared yesterday's article with my adult children who are raising their own families now. I don't often send them stories but thought that was a worthwhile one to share. I've been a subscriber for some time now and usually enjoy the content. Occasionally I feel that you are getting a bit political but finish the article because I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. I've thought about unsubscribing but I feel that there is way more good than bad. Keep up the good work. I can filter what I want, and appreciate the content most of the time.
Bill, I so resonate with your plight! I am an ordained minister and have been writing and praying what we have called "A Prayer for the Headlines" for the past 15 years or so on our local radio station, WITZ-FM, 104.7, Jasper/Huntingburg (Indiana). It started as a ministry of the church of which I was the pastor; it continues now as a public service of the radio station where I am an employee. The prayers air at 7:58 am, just before the 8:00 news on MWF, and usually are about what will be on the news. Where I say that I resonate with your plight is the different political/religious beliefs present in this area: Democratic/republican, Catholic/Lutheran/protestant/nones. If I was to write/pray my "own" prayers, no way would they have lasted to this day. However, to me. the station, and the listeners, the prayers are totally given to me by God through the power of the Holy Spirit. I, similar to you, see the headlines and the stories. The Spirit points me to the one about which I am to pray. The Spirit then writes the prayer through my hand, and I get to send it out on the air with my voice and in my typed print.
Probably through other ways people know I am a conservative, usually republican/independent, protestant. But I don't think it comes through easily on through the "Prayers for the Headlines."
Bill, I even sometimes use what you print. I appreciate all of your writings and hope you will continue for a good long while! Thank you for your writings!
Rev. Larry Langer
Retired PCUSA minister
Huntingburg, IN
Let’s remember all the other religions - just in the top 10 - such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Judaism, Taoism, Caodaism, Sikhism, and Confucianism.
So right. I’m a Humanist myself after years of trying very hard to find some religious avenue that really spoke to me. Turns out, a contributor in my local paper, Chris Highland, really spoke to the very thing I was looking for. Thank goodness for the differences in all of us. I couldn’t think of a worse society to live in than one that was homogenized. Reminds me too much of The Stepford Wives. Ewww!
In reason we trust. They have a license tag in SC with that line similar to the one with in god we trust. I would have that myself but opted for the “Share The Road” Palmetto cycling tag.
Bill,
I enjoy your newsletter because you stay away from politics/government activities. There are plenty of other venues for people to obtain whichever side of an argument they believe is the correct version. I would suggest you stay away from that and continue your reporting about all the other things that are going on in the world that either don't receive any press or are so interesting and cool that they deserve a wider audience.
Just a thought.
Chris Vargo
I also love to read the articles Bill writes that aren't political. We can get our political info from other sources. IMO, Bill's info, often very informative, often fun, sometimes funny, can provide the respite needed from the divisiveness in the political realm.
Sadly the issue for proof of citizenship is a significant one for many of us. Those of us with AAPI or Latino heritage stand out visibly and there are multiple stories of ICE targeting brown people to ask for proof of citizenship, including the Midwest city I live in. As a brown person,I carry a copy of my passport as a result. Just the fact that people ask me where I’m really from (born here many many decades ago to naturalized citizens) when my white spouse and family have never been asked that question, is an example of racially based privilege that many people don’t even realize they have.
In addition, married women whose name on the birth certificate differs from their REAL ID may also be challenged when showing proof of citizenship, if they don’t possess a passport.
Thanks for mentioning the issue of married women changing their name. With all the chaos I forgot about critical that aspect could be. Talk about a vote suppressor for one specific group!!!
I have a relative who is a naturalized US citizen, has an accent, a lot of the things you are talking about that make it a bit scary today. My advice was to get the US passport card since it's wallet sized. I hate that I have to give this advice, but it seemed like a practical idea, less likely to forget at home than a book-sized passport. (For what it's worth I also got one of these a few years back just in case I ever was away from home without my regular passport and had a business reason to go to Canada.)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/card.html
I have one too, but had a few photocopies of the regular one and figured less risky than carrying the real ones around.
Thank you Bill, BTW, for your newsletter. It’s difficult to find current info that is neutral and worth reading about. And being able to respectfully discuss issues with people whose views differ and as a result expand one’s understanding is something worth cultivating and encouraging.
a few comments - great explanation w/ your correction.
interesting that tariffs will not be implemented on Russia...
And many people, seemingly on BOTH sides of the aisle, will be happy to see Musk go.
But most importantly - where will your vacation take you?
The Grand Canyon and Sonoma! With a big group of family. It's going to be a lot of fun!
Oh Bill. Y’all will love the entire state! Sonoma is beautiful as advertised and the Canyon is magnificent! I should know too. Back in 2004, my girlfriend and I traveled down into the Canyon on the mules. This was on Saturday after an 8” snowstorm that happened on Thursday the day we were supposed to go down. They needed Friday to put ice shoes on the mules because, while things would warm up as we descended, it would still be icy up on the rim as we left. We got a fascinating talk by the park ranger about the geological history of the Canyon and the Colorado River’s part in cutting it. Too bad DOGE has cut most of the national park staff now. Be glad you’re going soon.
I lived in AZ for awhile, around 1975 - fun place!! Sonoma was very nearby, so we visited there often. Went to the Grand Canyon several times, before living there & after.
Bill, I believe you are always looking, writing, and believing in truth; however, as humans, we are not error free. I don’t understand a world where we believe everything online, we only believe what we agree with, and if it’s not what we agree with, it must be wrong. Differences is how we thrive, and no man is an island. Trump is obviously, unequivocally, a liar and mentally unstable. He is hurting everyone and everything he touches. Speaking that kind of truth is why we are here everyday, whether or not we agree or like it. If it’s not fact and truthful, there is no value. You, sir, have value. I’ve never been too crazy about Kool-Aid either.