Local Opinion

Here’s a question: When was the last time at least half of Americans said the government in Washington could be trusted to do the right thing all or most of the time?

“Are we there yet!”

It’s a common topic these days to talk about rising costs — the price of gas, the price of a loaf of bread, etc.

Joshua McLemore’s mental illness had been known to officials in law enforcement and jails in Bartholomew and Jackson counties before his final run-in with the law, which led to his death last August after many days left alone in a padded cell at the Jackson County Jail.

Through greed or indifference, nearly from the moment people discovered how unusual and beautiful vast America was, some sought to develop it, disfigure it, destroy its lands and waters and wipe out species of wildlife.

A scene from the 2003 movie “The Last Samurai” has stuck with me for all of these years.

Last time, we began looking at the first of four decisions that pave the way toward reconciliation.

On the 246th anniversary of our founding, many Americans will find reason for pessimism about the nation’s future. There are many difficult challenges before us, which I will list shortly. Still, we are also possessed with deep wells of strength from which to craft a free and prosperous future.

There was recently another horrible tragedy of a school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two staff members were killed.

Many years ago, I was in the audience when the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the legendary civil rights activist, election mobilizer and presidential candidate gave a speech. He often used the catchphrase, “Keep hope alive!” when he spoke, and he did so that time. The audience picked it up as a chant. “Keep hope alive!” they called. “Keep hope alive!” It was a memorable bit of political showmanship.