What's Tony Thinking

The Trouble With Biden

July 25, 2022 — In 1992, amid the campaign season that pitted George H.W. Bush against Bill Clinton, I had a conversation, in passing, with a stranger. He said, “The American people will vote for whichever candidate they think is tougher.” Maybe he said “stronger,” but I think it was “tougher.” Whatever you think about that remark — I... Read More

Return of the Nez Perce

July 22, 2022 — In 1877 the Nez Perce were driven from their ancestral lands in the Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon. One of the big stories of the last twenty years is their gradual return and growing influence of the tribe here. Yesterday marked another step on this journey, a especially moving one, as the Tribe celebrated attaining... Read More

The Incredible Streaking Mariners

July 18, 2022 — That’s a phrase — “the incredible streaking Mariners” — with which the veteran Seattle Times sportswriter, Larry Stone, wrapped up his current column on the M’s. Being a longtime M’s fan, you sort of don’t know whether to go full-on and all-in or to cross your fingers behind your back as you profess your renewed... Read More

A Woman’s Place

July 17, 2022 — “A Woman’s Place,” was my title for my sermon today at Joseph United Methodist Church in Joseph, Oregon. Gutsy (or foolish) title, don’t you think? Anyhow it was my sermon on today’s lectionary gospel text, the story of Martha and Mary. Sermon below for those interested. A Woman’s Place Luke 10: 38 – 42 July... Read More

A Third Way?

July 16, 2022 — Earlier this week I did two pieces on the scary extremes of right and left in our culture and politics these days. Is there any hope of rescuing our culture and politics from the extremes? Extremes that are currently disproportionately empowered by the two-parties and the primary system. At present 44% of eligible voters identity... Read More

This, Too, Is Scary

July 13, 2022 — Here is the other side of the coin, so to speak, to my blog of July 11, “This Is Scary,” on “Christian Nationalism.” My subject is what has been referred to as “Cancel Culture” and “Woke Ideology,” or less often “critical theory.” I suspect I’m on thinner ice here with most of my readers who... Read More

Today’s January 6 Hearing Left Me Feeling Proud

July 12, 2022 — There aren’t a whole lot of days or occasions of late when I have felt genuinely proud to be an American and hopeful for our country. But today was one of them. I was able to watch or listen to most of today’s seventh hearing of the January 6th Select Committee. I felt, as I... Read More

This Is Scary

July 11, 2022 — A bunch of you have sent along one or more recent articles profiling “Christian Nationalists” or so-called “Dominionists.” The forwarded articles were accompanied by remarks like, “This is scary,” “quite disturbing,” or “tell me this isn’t frightening!” You asked what I thought about it. I agree, it is scary and disturbing. Moreover, and having had... Read More

Sanctified Disconnection

July 9, 2022 — The Highland Park, Illinois shootings on July 4th have been festering at the back of my mind all week. Other than to express anger and anguish I didn’t know what I might say that someone else hadn’t said already, probably better. But something is emerging, something uncomfortable. I’ll start where David Brooks ends his column... Read More

At the O.K. Theater

July 7, 2022 — The O.K. Theater has been in Enterprise, Oregon as long as I can remember. I got a month’s supply of nightmares at the O.K. when I saw the film based on Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” many years ago. But with the competition of streaming services and struggling local economy, the O.K. had shut down... Read More

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