“We all know that in matters of opinion every man is insane.” -Mark Twain

It is a pleasure to be asked by the Lake Region Weekly to write a regular opinion column. Other than an occasional OP Ed and letters to the editor it is not something that I have done before. It will be a new and welcome challenge. I very much want to thank the LRW for allowing me this opportunity.

In many ways what I hope to write may be as much essay as opinion. While both the essay and the opinion are in much the same form, the essay can be more concerned with the question rather than the answer. Although there will certainly be a great deal of opinion in these I hope there will there also be the soul of the essay. Each rising and falling as the times and issues demand.

As an introduction I would like to offer a little about who I am and where I am coming from. I am a liberal by most contemporary standards and usages. However, as is with most of us I am less red or blue than a shade of purple. I often feel it is problematic when we cast each other, too quickly and too resoundingly, in terms of ideology. We shut each other off and hear only what we want to hear. As well, we do not allow for the kind of dialogue, reflection and growth most critical for self and social evolution. These are times when we are often divided by ideology. It is regrettable for we should recognize that relative to the issue at hand each of us may move in decidedly different directions inspite of perceived expectations.

Like each of us, my values and perspectives are a manifestation of all the elements that make up who I am. Such things as family history, children and spouse, parents, education, professional life, life events and possibly even biology have to one degree or another, a role in shaping my views on life.

I am coming to value more and more that I am, whether I know it or not, a work in progress and it is far better to be such consciously rather than unconsciously. I come from a strong mid-western Irish Catholic background. It is the cause for both pride and conflict. I grew up in a profoundly political family very involved in neighborhood revitalization and historic preservation. My familial roots are in architecture, design and salvage – building and re-use.

I have four great sons that, in the process of raising them, have given me multiple insights into myself and the world. I am married to a strong and remarkable woman who has and continues to shape much of who I am. I am an artist and educator with a profound belief in the transformative power of culture and education. I believe in strong communities and the importance they hold for people’s lives. I feel strongly that place is a spirit. It can be either strengthened or diminished by our actions upon it and by those actions we can be strengthened or diminished as well.

I view our commitment to the natural environment as one to life itself and in that environment is God. I believe in the primacy of concern for our collective well being. I understand that we live amongst multiple, overlapping and divergent systems and that each has its role. I have come to recognize that government is critical not only to keep us safe and secure but also to allow its citizens an ability to thrive. Politically, I am a Democrat.

In the coming weeks, I hope to offer views that have both breadth and depth. That take into consideration how current actions can have long-range impacts and that our peripheral vision is as important as our ability to look straight ahead. This column may be both circuitous and direct. It will be locally oriented, but aware that what we deal with in our towns and villages are but a local manifestation of that which is occurring on much broader social, cultural and political stage. I would imagine I will dip into all areas from time to time and hopefully with insight, civility, creativity and a bit of good humor. I hope for all that read this, it may be both enjoyable and interesting.

Thank you for spending a bit of time with me.