July 4, 2026 (Vol. 20 No. 24) - As our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence, we should be mindful of the values our Founders held when they launched into uncharted waters. For the first time in world history, they proudly proclaimed that "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they endowed by their Creator certain and unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is easy for us to take their bold declaration for granted. But it was a courageous proclamation that the American people had the right to set their own course without being beholden to whims and whimsies of a King.

As we pause to reflect upon two and one-half centuries of life under the banner of the United States of America, it is a good time to reaffirm those values upon which we have stood and to articulate them within a 21st century context. This is not to suggest that I or anyone else can improve upon the works of the incredible people who risked their lives by defying a king in 1776. However, using the language of today, I'd like to proclaim what I see are my six unalienable American values:

Equality - It isn't necessarily true that all men are created equal: People come into this world into different physical, mental, geographic, psychographic and financial situations. However, our Founders said that people living under the flag of the United States, without regard to their citizenship status, are accorded equal opportunity and equal protection under the law. It is through these opportunities, unhindered by legal or social hurdles, that we Americans have a chance to define who we are.




Tolerance - We must respect the opinions (free speech), religion and lifestyle of others. This does not suggest that anything goes. But as long as our words and actions do not impede upon the rights of others, we have the right to left alone. Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion. Our religious and moral values may guide our thoughts and actions, but they should not be forced upon others. This means there is a separation of church and state. Our laws should reflect our moral values while, at the same time, acknowledging and protecting the values of others. We should also show tolerance and empathy toward those wishing to join our American family, especially those who come to our shores fleeing repression. And as the Supreme Court just reaffirmed, those who were born in the United States enjoy the full rights of citizenship. It makes no sense to demonize a segment of our community that has historically so enriched us.




Transparency - Every thing elected and public officials do in our name should be visible for public oversight. That includes law enforcement officers and agents, who should not be allowed to hide behind masks. Nor should government officials be allowed to make public decisions in closed-door meetings. Openness builds trust, a critical commodity in a civil society. This also implies that when it comes to truth, there is no such thing as "alternative facts." There may be many opinions, but there is only one truth.


Respect - As residents of the United States, respect for others should be our default position. Only when the rights of others are abused should we withhold that respect. While we may disagree with the political, social or religious values of others, we should respect their right to hold them. We should also hold true to the requirements of our Constitution, as well as federal, state and local laws. If we don't like them, there are mechanisms for amending them. This also means that, as a nation, we hold to those same standards in our relations with other nations.




Humility - Americans live in special circumstances that are absent in many parts of the world. We must remember that our physical and spiritual strengths are products of the blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors over the past 250 years. We may be exceptional. We can strive to become what Ronald Reagan referred to as a "Shining City on the Hill" - a condition to which the rest of the world admires and aspires. But we reject the jingoistic concept of "American exceptionalism." Those who act unselfishly to improve the conditions of others are among what George H. W. Bush called "a thousand points of light." To borrow a line from Lincoln, "with malice toward none and charity to all" we temper our actions toward those less fortunate inside and outside of our borders with the knowledge that "there but for the grace of God go I."




Responsibility - We, as a society and as individuals, are accountable for our actions and inactions. We accept that residency and citizenship in the United States are not just rights, but privileges we must maintain through our actions. Our elected and appointed leaders bear a just burden to act within the public interest. We, as individuals, are charged to engage in the life of our communities. We are required to stay informed and active in public affairs. By doing so, we will hold our elected and appointed leaders to standards consistent with our values. However, it is important that we, ourselves, are held to those same values by others - and by ourselves.

The signers of the Declaration of Independence, who by their actions were committing treason against the English Crown, wrote that they took this action "with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence" and concluded by mutually pledging "our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor." It is in that spirit that I, on this 250th anniversary of American independence, pledge my continued adherence to the values I have articulated. That's it for now. Happy birthday, America, and, of course as always, Fear the Turtle.

June 23, 2026 (Vol. 20 No. 24) - The Ugly American is a 1963 film starring Marlon Brando as the U.S. Ambassador to a fictitious Southeast Asian nation threatened by communists. It painted Americans as self-centered and arrogant. However, for many people living abroad, that title also describes today's America, as the world has been repulsed by the hegemonistic and boorish leadership coming out of Washington. There was speculation that this growing worldwide anti-American sentiment, along with the Trump administration's crackdown on international visas, could negatively impact the World Cup that the U.S. is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. However, judging by comments made in the media and on YouTube, it has come as a pleasant surprise to our international visitors that they are learning to love America, especially Americans.

When our foreign guests are asked about their first impressions of the United States, they talk about how friendly and informal Americans are. They are surprised that we are willing to initiate conversations with total strangers when standing in a queue outside a stadium, at the gas pumps, in a restaurant or even just passing by on the street. European and Australian visitors have posted on YouTube that they were at first startled by our familiarity. However, after a while, they are getting used to it and seem to like it. They also speak about how free we are to set on our own paths and to individually define who we are. Then, of course, they speak of the size of our nation, our stores and our dining portions. The one reaction that has really surprised me is their admiration for our patriotism. This is often embodied by their reaction to how we proudly and loudly sing our national anthem. Our guests are deeply moved by the depth of our love for our country.

Nowhere has the kinder and gentler side of American life been demonstrated than in my hometown, Lawrence, Kansas. Our community is serving as the base camp for the Algerian National Team, which is scheduled to play two of its three pool games in nearby Kansas City. Our community, arguably the most progressive and tolerant within the Sunflower State, has fully embraced the Algerian team and fans. It started with the team's arrival late on a stormy Sunday night. When the team arrived the next day at its practice field, Rock Chalk Park, they were greeted by the KU Band, which played their national anthem. A number of events, including street fairs and watch parties, have been scheduled for our international visitors. Lawrence's welcoming hospitality has garnered many new friends and international news coverage. Because of these carefully planned community events, the world is seeing the real America, the one outside of the Beltway, where we welcome newcomers as long-lost friends. I have never been prouder of my hometown than I am now.

The World Cup has been a double-edged blessing - good for the visitors and good for the hosts. It has helped to overcome some of the negatives that have tarnished our international image. This is not to say there are not many things that need improvement. However, the World Cup has reminded our guests, as well as ourselves, as to why Americans still believe they live in the greatest nation on earth. May God continue to bless America as we celebrate the 250th year of our independence. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.

June 19, 2026 (Vol. 20 No. 23) - The juxtaposition was rich with irony. In Chicago, we celebrated a man who brought intelligence and dignity to the Oval Office while in Paris we watched a vulgarian of a man surrender to a country in which he had engaged in a an unconstitutional and immoral war. The dedication of the Obama Presidential Center highlighted the leadership qualities of the 44th President of the United States, in sharp contrast to the intolerant buffoon seeking to defend and deflect blame for signing a memorandum of understand - shall we call it a surrender document - to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

President Donald Trump spent much of this past week trying to put lipstick on a pig. But the truth of the matter is that the MOU Trump signed fails to achieve any of the goals he set at the outset of the war and is substantially weaker than the nuclear agreement achieved by his precessor - one which Trump subsequently trashed. All this MOU really did was kick the can down the road 6o days. But even that deadline is fluid. From his ill-conceived war, Trump achieved the loss of $29 billion in direct military expenses and an estimated $132 billion in indirect economic consumer costs. And those figures do not include the economic windfall Iran receives from the restoration of its oil exports, the easing of economic sanctions and the payment of $300 billion by the U.S. and its Gulf regional allies by help rebuild Iran. Trump denies Iran will get "a single penny" from the U.S. before it concludes its negotiations. However, the signed MOU document tells us a different story.

And what did we get? Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz, returning waterway to its pre-war status. Iran will not charge vessels for passage through the Strait - for at least 60 days. After that, who knows? Did we achieve regime change? In a word, no. If anything, this younger crowd is more intrangident. And did we eliminate Iran's nuclear program? That was left up to negotiations over the next 60, maybe more, days. In short, we got nothing.

Does this sound like The Art of the Deal to you?

Meanwhile, back in Chicago, former President Barack Obama spoke in loftier terms. He spoke of American values, freedoms, and responsibilities. It was an uplifting speech in which he eviscerated the Trump administration without ever mentioning the President by name. As a former college professor, Obama knew how to deliver his message through the technique known as "contrast and compare." He spoke of his vision, allowing his audience the opportunity to compare it with their understanding of the current regime. Unless you are one who drinks the MAGA Kool-Aid, the message was crystal clear: In a democracy, the power rests with the people, not in the whims of a wannabe king. Obama's speech reminded us of the days when we had adults running the country, not a bunch of party boys with a messianic complex.

The next presidential election is two and one-half years away. (I think it's even money as to whether Trump lives to the end of his term. The man looks like crap.) However, we can't wait until then for the people to take charge. We can do that in November's mid-term election. Democrat control of the House and Senate would hit the brakes on this runaway garbage truck we laughingly refer to as the Trump administration. I've said it before and I will say it again - Friends do not let friends vote Republican. The contrasts and comparisons of this past week serve to drive that point home. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.

June 9, 2026 (Vol. 20 No. 21) - It is only human to remember the folks who have treated us badly. Maybe it was that bully who tormented you in high school. Perhaps it is a neighbor or family member. Sometimes it is a current or former co-worker. You and almost everyone within your social circles knows someone or several someones who own a piece of real estate in the space between your ears.

That "piece of real estate" is what we know as a grudge, an unwillingness to forgive those we perceive to have done us wrong. This is not to be confused with what my wife calls "sports grudges," wounds created on the artificial battlefields of athletic contests. (For example, I may never get over the New York Jets beating the Baltimore Colts in 1969's Super Bowl III.) No, grudges are more real, more personal and more emotional. They are scars we carry that through our own actions that we have not allowed to heal. Clearly, the grudges we hold are a form of self-defense against the real hurt we may have experienced. However, in a sense, they are also a form of self-loathing we hold for having placed ourselves into the sad scenario that burns our memories.

At its heart, one's unwillingness to forgive others comes down to an ethical dilemma. When I taught a journalism ethics course at the University of Kansas, I told my students that ethics are our values in action. They are not something we have, but something we do. In a sense, it is an adherence to our basic sense of right and wrong. That's where the dilemma comes into play. Deciding to forgive someone comes down to the competing values of our personal sense of justice versus our self-image of compassion and empathy. It can be hard to walk a mile in someone else's shoes after they used those same shoes to walk over you.

In Christian theology, forgiveness is a moral imperative and the failure to forgive may be described as a venial sin, one that weaken one's relationship to God. "Judge not and you will not be judged; condemn not and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37) If one chooses a more secular perspective, forgiveness removes a personal burden that often weighs more heavily on the abused than the offender. Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years as a political prisoner, wrote in his autobiography, "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison."

We have a sense of what forgiveness is. But there are many things it is not. Forgiving someone for doing something wrong does not mean you are condoning it. Nor does it mean that you are required to forget it or to trust the offender. There may be consequences that the offender may have to pay. But forgiveness allows the offended party to move on and begin a healing process that restores one's emotional control. "It's not an easy journey to get to a place where you forgive people," actor, writer and producer Tyler Perry told a British newspaper in 2010, "But it is such a powerful place because it frees you."

As I write this, I am well aware that I must practice what I preach. I know that will not be an easy task. For example, asking me to forgive the current President of the United States for the damage he has done to the social, economic, political and moral fabric of this nation is a pretty big ask. I suspect that will be easier when he finally - and mercifully - exits the stage. I may fail. But I should try. As I moved into retirement, it has been easier for me to forgive those within my own orbit whom I have come in conflict through the years. But part and parcel to that, I must also be willing to ask for their forgiveness of me. More than that, there are times that we have to forgive ourselves. For me, that's the hardest ask of all.

At the risk of sounding Pollyanna, we could use a lot more forgiveness and a lot less recrimination in our troubled world. We need to return to a time - one that wasn't really that long ago - when the idea of reaching consensus was a noble goal, and not as many today would see it as some sort of capitulation. That healing process begins with forgiveness of others - and ourselves. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.