National Unity, M&Ms and License Plates
May 5th, 2011 by John Creighton in Dispatches
Tags: Civility, Community, Public Values
LONGMONT, Colo., May 5, 2011 — President Obama’s announcement that Navy Seals found and killed Osama bin Laden sparked spontaneous expressions of patriotism from Ground Zero to Facebook. We can debate whether dancing in the streets or solemn gratitude for long-awaited justice is more appropriate. What is indisputable is American’s deeply felt pride in their country. The open question is whether we can turn this moment of pride into a sustained period of national unity – the currency that facilitates [...]
Read more...The DREAM Act: Young people’s perspective
December 13th, 2010 by John Creighton in Dispatches
Tags: Community, Longmont, Public Values
LONGMONT, Colo. — Most Americans agree the DREAM Act is a good idea yet the bill continues to languish in the U.S. Senate. For many of us, the DREAM Act is just another issue – in the news today, gone tomorrow. For young people affected by this legislation, it has the potential to shape the rest of their lives. I recently had the opportunity to talk with a handful of students who would benefit from the DREAM Act. It is [...]
Read more...The DREAM Act outside the Beltway
December 8th, 2010 by John Creighton in Dispatches
Tags: Community, Longmont, Public Values
LONGMONT, Colo. — The U.S. Senate is expected to debate the DREAM Act – Federal legislation which would extend legal immigration status to young people who were brought to the United States without proper documentation – later today. Perhaps, the debate already has begun. Many of us living outside the D.C. Beltway give little critical thought to the DREAM Act. Perhaps this is because immigration issues are not a major concern. When Colorado voters are asked to volunteer concerns on [...]
Read more...Vending Maching Government
October 6th, 2010 by John Creighton in Dispatches
Tags: Community, Institutions, Public Values
LONGMONT, Colo. — Keith Olbermann seized upon a house fire in rural Tennessee as his latest cause celebre to denigrate Glenn Beck, conservatives and Tennessee politicians. Here is a thumbnail review of the incident. Obion County, Tenn., residents must pay $75 if they want fire protection from the city of South Fulton. Gene Canick did not pay the fee. When his house caught on fire and he called 9-1-1, the South Fulton Fire Department did not respond. When the fire spread [...]
Read more...Between Generations
August 23rd, 2010 by John Creighton in Dispatches
Tags: Community, Culture, Kansas
WESTMINSTER, Colo. (08/23/10) — My family had the privilege to attend our daughter’s friend’s Bat Mitzvah last week. I knew little about the ceremony. I attended a boy’s Bar Mitzvah twenty years ago. It’s the only other time I’ve been present for such a celebration. Though I struggled to follow along at times, I got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as I witnessed the passing of the Torah. The eldest of the three generations gathered [...]
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