The Republic of Satire
Has political satire become more than comedy in our moment of democratic anxiety?
Reflecting on comedians as truth-tellers, this essay explores whether satire has become a kind of civic witness—and even a democratic immune response.
Why Tyrants Fear Laughter
Why does ridicule unsettle power in ways criticism sometimes does not?
Prompted by Jimmy Kimmel’s mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner monologue, this reflection explores why tyrants often fear laughter more than opposition.
The Death of a Dream, the Rise of Rage
Is rising political rage partly rooted in a deeper crisis of belonging?
A reflection on civic despair, generational disillusionment, and why democracy runs on hope.
When Violence Pretends to Save Us
When violence begins to feel righteous, democracy is already in danger.
A new post at Randomly Rudimentary Life Stuff explores assassination fantasies, patriotism, and why cultures are not healed by bullets.
Why I’m Calling It ‘Life’ Now
Fourteen years ago, I named this blog Randomly Rudimentary Faith Stuff.
The writing—and the writer—have changed.
I’m calling it Life now, not because faith matters less, but because I’ve come to see faith and life as inseparable.
When Ownership Becomes a Substitute for Influence
What if ownership expands control without deepening influence?
A conversation about corporate acquisitions led me to think about power, trust, homeownership, and why we often confuse authority with legitimacy.
New post up: When Ownership Becomes a Substitute for Influence
When the Bible Doesn’t Sound Like It Agrees with Itself
Somewhere along the way, I came to a difficult realization: the Bible doesn’t always sound like one unified voice. This isn’t about tearing faith down—it’s about being honest enough to wrestle with what we’ve been taught and why it matters.
When Grace Has to Carry More Than We Thought
Christians love to talk about ‘grace’. But do they mean by that? What if grace isn’t abstract, or dependent on getting everything right? As I re-examine what I was taught about hell and salvation, I’m beginning to see that real grace has to carry more than just our mistakes—it has to carry our misunderstandings too.
What Carrots, Spinach, and the Rapture Have in Common
What if some of the things we’ve always believed—about health, culture, or even faith—aren’t as timeless as we think? From WWII propaganda to modern theology, this post explores how ideas become “truth” and what happens when those beliefs start shaping real-world consequences.
Two Songs at the Ballpark
A seventh inning stretch at an Astros game sparked a reflection on patriotism, belonging, and why baseball’s organic rituals may unite us better than nationalistic ones.