Dear Christian,

You don’t know me, and I won’t pretend to know you, but we are at a critical juncture in our country and in our respective faiths and it’s important that we act and act quickly. On Friday, the Republican president signed an ethically, legally, and morally questionable executive order that restricted immigration from seven nations — none …

We. Are. Ready. Probably.

Alison sends this, a report from The Opportunity Agenda that says Americans, while balancing a belief in equality for all, and the ability of people in this country to make their own way (the old “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” thing), are ready to talk a little more seriously about eliminating poverty. From the …

That time some Mexicans crossed the border to feed hungry, hurt Americans

Just read this, from Stephen R. Kelly at the Washington Post.

Bees and middle-aged white people: Endangered?

Several news outlets carried this story earlier this week (and thanks, Leftover, for the links), that said (from the Washington Post): A large segment of white middle-aged Americans has suffered a startling rise in its death rate since 1999, according to a review of statistics published Monday that shows a sharp reversal in decades of progress toward longer …

“Unaffiliated” doesn’t mean “atheist”

Leftover has pointed that out several times, most lately with this Washington Post analysis of the 2014 General Social Survey. Basically, Americans are staying away from church in record numbers, but they continue to participate in some religious practices, such as prayer. From the Post story: The stability of prayer contrasts sharply with erosion on …

Tax the rich

The majority of the U.S. think the wealthy do not pay their fair share in taxes. Some 68 percent of Americans polled said that wealthy households pay too little in federal taxes. You can read the poll here. Do please scroll down to see the make-up of the people who were surveyed. Among other things, …

Americans are losing confidence in religion

Read it and weep. You can read more here or here. And thanks, DickG., for the link.