What's Tony Thinking

At the Weekend: February 8

Share!
February 7, 2025 — Linda and I have been getting a “culture-fix” of late and I have a couple of recommendations to pass along. “Sing Sing” is a 2023 movie about the RTA (Rehabilitative Theater Arts) program at the Sing Sing Prison in New York. Wow! So, so powerful. So moving. Starring Colman Domingo, who is nominated for “Best... Read More

Wrangling Your Inner Critic

Share!
February 5, 2025 — A couple years ago I went to a workshop, “For Those Who Have Daddy Issues (And Who Doesn’t?).” It was the words in the parenthesis that gave me permission to go. That parenthetical grace-note said it was okay to be there. That I wouldn’t be outing myself as a singular misanthrope, bringing shame on the... Read More

What Is Becoming Clear about Trump’s Deportation Policy

Share!
February 4, 2025 — The policies, and their execution, of the Trump administration on undocumented immigrants are becoming clear, and the picture is a bad one. As with so many of the early Trump moves (birthright citizenship, freezing federal funds and Musk’s DOGE attacks on the civil service) it isn’t “ready, aim, shoot,” but “ready, shoot, aim.” In other... Read More

At the Weekend: Groundhog Day and More

Share!
February 1, 2025 — Happy February. I’m not sure what the fabled groundhog of Pennsylvania will forecast tomorrow, but it looks like more winter ahead in the Pacific NW, even with some possibility of snow down here in the coastal lowlands of Seattle (and lots in the mountains, up to 30″). The “Groundhog Day “movie with Bill Murray is... Read More

Your Attention, Please

Share!
January 30, 2025 — Actually the “please” part has pretty much been dropped. According to journalist Chris Hayes, we live in an “attention economy,” where are our attention is constantly demanded. Moreover, our attention itself is now a commodity, something that has a price on it. Attention, says Ezra Klein, is more valuable than money. “Attention, not money, is... Read More

Being Christian in These Times

Share!
January 26, 2025 — A lot of what I want to share with you here today is gleaned from people wiser than I. One of those people is David French who in his Sunday column in the New York Times today zeroed in on what is most dangerous about Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and America’s current political culture.... Read More

A Treat for Your Weekend

Share!
January 23, 2025 — On Tuesday of this week, Bishop Mariann Budde entreated newly inaugurated President Trump to “have mercy.” (I kind of wish that she had said, “God is merciful, what’s your problem?,” but whatever.) Anyhow, on the theory that most all of us are in need of mercy and grace at this point in time (as at... Read More

Trump Had a Chance to Do the Right Thing and Failed

Share!
January 22, 2025 — The thing that worried me most about Donald Trump is his lack of regard for the law or for the rule of law. His commutation of the sentences of virtually all the January 6 convicted rioters confirms those fears. He could have, as his Vice-President, J. D. Vance, said he “obviously would” distinguish between violent... Read More

Inaugurations and Augury

Share!
January 18, 2025 — It was 17 degrees on January 20, 1961, the day John F. Kennedy was inaugurated. There had been snow the night before and six to ten inches still lay on the sidewalks on Pennsylvania Avenue as work crews shoveled away. Along with several of my buddies from our Boy Scout troop in Arlington, Virginia, I... Read More

News and Upcoming Events

Share!
January 16, 2025 — Hey friends, we’ve enjoyed a nice jump in new subscribers as the New Year has begun. If that’s you, welcome. Glad you’re here. Hope you’re enjoying the posts, and that you might forward some to friends and invite them to join us. If you’ve been with us for a time, or a long time, please... Read More