Hello.  Since this is my inaugural post, I should explain a bit about what I want it to be about.  I have a a lot of thoughts about the current state of affairs for humanity, and I guess I have some ideas I want to share with others.  My hope is that as I pour my thoughts and hopes out here, others will respond, share, and comment.   

One of the things I believe is that it's not enough to tell you what I want or think about something.  We won't make any progress as a species until we learn to listen and hear each other.  There are always things we don't know.  So please always be willing to share your thoughts.  However, please be respectful towards others.  I strongly believe that blanket statements about a group of people do not help clarify the situation.  I am trying to do better at treating others according to the "platinum rule:" Treat others as they want to be treated.  To me, that's an improvement over the golden rule.  Not everyone reacts to things the same way as I do, and I want to honor that.