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Civility Message

June 20, 2014
Civility Message

This Memorial Day I discovered, at long last, why incumbents sometimes hold an advantage over challengers. Following my keynote address at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, also known as the Liberty Memorial, I spoke with a number of the nice people who attended the program. Amongst those who took the time to respond to my speech was a woman who shared a story with me.

Issues:Civility
May 9, 2014
Civility Message

We have not fulfilled our duty as representatives of the people until we bequeath to the next generation a love of public service, a zeal for facts, a craving for

Issues:Civility
May 2, 2014
Civility Message

This past week, the Greater Kanas City Chamber of Commerce made its way to Washington for its annual "D.C. Fly-In." During the visit, 25 or so business leaders meet with Members of Congress to discuss matters important to the Kansas City area. They talked with each member of the Congressional delegation from our area, including those from the state of Kansas.

Issues:Civility
April 17, 2014
Civility Message

This message is influenced by the greatest theologians of our times, Lucy and Linus of Peanuts fame. Linus is contentedly watching TV when Lucy walks in and orders the changing of the channel. She backs up this demand by showing him her ferocious fist. "What makes you think you can walk in here and take over?" asks an infuriated Linus.

Issues:Civility
April 4, 2014
Civility Message

The most explosive running back I have ever seen in person was Berniece Mundean, my high school team mate. Under different circumstances, I believe that Mundean would have been an outstanding college running back and would have certainly ended up in the National Football League. He was just that good.

Issues:Civility
March 21, 2014
Civility Message

As a sophomore student at Texas A&M at Prairie View, I hung out mostly with guys from Dallas and Fort Worth. Perhaps it was because I lived in that area during the first seven years of my life, and most of the Cleaver Clan still lived there.

Issues:Civility
March 14, 2014
Civility Message

One day, the wind and the sun were sitting around casually gazing upon the goings on in the earth. A man caught their attention as he walked in an open area with a long and heavy coat.

Issues:Civility
March 7, 2014
Civility Message

On January 7, I had surgery on an earlier left knee replacement. Recovery is always slow and painfully difficult. I ought to know, I have had six big time operations that cut short my college football aspirations. Although, to be entirely accurate, the defensive back coach might also have cut it short -- by cutting me.

Issues:Civility
February 28, 2014
Civility Message

Omar Khayyam was a Persian philosopher, poet, and mathematician, who is perhaps most remembered for his agnosticism, at least by those of us who studied him from the Judeo/Christian perspective. Nonetheless, he was a major thinker of his time.

The one thing that will always stand out in my mind, is the Khayyam poem, which rhythmically expresses an eternal truth:

Issues:Civility
January 31, 2014
Civility Message

Over the years of ministerial and political careers, I have had many encounters with those who seem to enjoy attacking the work of others. As a boy, my sisters and I spent many Saturday nights with our Grandma Annie Mae, and on Sunday morning, we would attend her church.

Issues:Civility