I know I tend to take a more positive tone in most of my posts, but we are now two weeks into the devastating failure of the Afghanistan evacuation and I’m struggling to find the light. Despite the administration’s efforts to reassure the international community by way of the tens of thousands evacuated so far,Continue reading “If Not Us, Who?”
Tag Archives: Citizenship
A Worthy Read for the Moment
A fair amount of time has passed since I added a new recommendation to the Bookshelf. Today, I right that wrong. I was first introduced to the writing style of Thomas E. Ricks in his study of US Military leadership titled The Generals. Less a history and more of an organizational biography, The Generals tracksContinue reading “A Worthy Read for the Moment”
Choose Principles Over Polls
You can neither build back better, nor make America great again by refusing the role of leadership in the free world.
At a loss…
Let me start by acknowledging that my time in uniform never took me to Afghanistan. It simply wasn’t where the Marine Corps sent me. Nevertheless, I lost a few friends to that far away land. I’m writing tonight after a stunning few days when the world witnessed the implosion of twenty years worth of nationalContinue reading “At a loss…”
3 Steps to Keeping a Level Head in Politics
Despite my best efforts, I still get worked up from time to time. I get heated, frustrated, and perturbed by the day-to-day in politics. Those are the moments when, just months later, I’ll find myself looking back and wondering why? Why did I let it get to me? I had one of those retrospective momentsContinue reading “3 Steps to Keeping a Level Head in Politics”
The Indispensable Senator from Ohio
The seeds of history making statesmanship are planted in late January. At least that’s my latest theory. On January 25th, 2021 US Senator Rob Portman announced he would retire at the end of his current term. While the political class jumped straight to discussions of potential successors, they missed Portman’s transition from Senator to Statesman.Continue reading “The Indispensable Senator from Ohio”
“I Want You to be Wildly Successful”
Has anyone ever told you that? That statement has been running through my mind the last few days. I heard those words from an organizational leader once as I was entering a new role. Predictably that well chosen phrase fortified me. How freeing to be told, from the opening bell, to pursue change, growth andContinue reading ““I Want You to be Wildly Successful””
Yes, You Can Be Too Scripted
“I just don’t know what to say. Can you write it out for me?” No. That should be the unequivocal, unwavering answer from any grassroots manager. No, we should never – under any circumstances – write out a script for our volunteers. Why? Advocacy isn’t a performance art. In its purest form, advocacy is simplyContinue reading “Yes, You Can Be Too Scripted”
Climate Policy and American Exceptionalism: ‘Lead by Example’ is the Wrong Argument
Americans are competitors. It’s in our national DNA. That’s why I’m convinced President Biden’s administration is faltering when they argue ‘leading by example’ in the discussion of climate solutions. For better or worse, our national conscience is often driven by a finite, winner-take-all mindset driven by the way we talk about the issues and challengesContinue reading “Climate Policy and American Exceptionalism: ‘Lead by Example’ is the Wrong Argument”
No Need for 10,000 Hours
Your participation in advocacy is valuable precisely because you are an expert at something else.
Part of the Possible 