The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

A couple of weeks ago, I observed an interesting debate between two friends of mine concerning the power of words and whether or not we could universally erase a select few. One seemed to believe that words possess only as much power as people provide them, that they can mean nothing if we treat them as such, and if we stop using them in the future, they'll all but vanish. The other seemed to disagree with this notion, as they mentioned how a few words got under their skin more than any other, and that whether or not we uttered such words in the future, that wouldn't remove their affect on us. First of all, as a writer, I'm inherently biased toward the power of words. I'm also a believer that less is often more when it comes to certain words. If an individual rarely uses what's considered to be profane language, when he or she does utter such a word, it often times lands a bigger punch than if the stereotypical drunken sailor utters such a remark. It should also b...

With every passing day, I'm asked less about why I've separated myself from organized religion. This is due to an ever-increasing quantity of stories like the one I'm about to share with you. Even some extremely religious individuals, after reading such stories, shake their heads, and give me a look as if to say, "Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know..." Not long ago, 8-year-old Sunnie Kahle was informed via a letter written by administrators of a Virginia Christian elementary school (Timberlake) that she wouldn't be granted admittance to the school unless she changed a few things. A portion of the letter read as follows: "We believe that unless Sunnie as well as her family clearly understand that God has made her female and her dress and behavior need to follow suit with her God-ordained identity, that TCS is not the best place for her future education." You see, Sunnie has short hair and is kind of a "tomboy," as the description goes. I guess...

Mikhail Kalashnikov, creator of the AK-47, seemed to express little regret over his invention throughout his years. However, a recently published letter he wrote to the head of Russia's Orthodox church not long before his death may showcase otherwise. Kalashnikov, who died last month at the age of 94, wrote the following to Patriarch Kirill: - "My spiritual pain is unbearable. I keep asking the same insoluble question. If my rifle deprived people of life then can it be that I ... a Christian and an orthodox believer, was to blame for their deaths? ... The longer I live, the more this question drills itself into my brain and the more I wonder why the Lord allowed man the devilish desires of envy, greed, and aggression." I wonder if Wayne LaPierre and other NRA leaders will feel something similar when death stares them in the eyes. It may be easier to reflect and admit one's mistakes when lying on their death bed, but that doesn't undo those very mistakes, whi...