Fear, hate, revenge, ignorance, pettiness, apathy and many other common human foibles drive much of the noise-making in modern American public affairs. Ever-quickening authoritarian goose-steps in recent decades, the most recent decade in particular, have morphed into decisive leaps towards outright...

My now grown up and married daughter has provided a guiding light to me all of her life, and in her longsuffering-yet-cheerful way, continues to hold out a steady and reliable beacon, ensuring that I don’t lose my way. For instance, nearly a decade ago, she urged me to give up small time co...