Lawrence George Jaffe

Observations and Attitudes Toward the New Year

Observations and Attitudes Toward the New Year

I try and start the new year by buying a new pair of running shoes. Even though my running looks more like walking I have never liked the idea of walking shoes. I also sit down with myself and say “self, what ya got ta say for your bad self?”
Tikkun Olam: Repair of the World

Tikkun Olam: Repair of the World

In Hebrew, Tikkun Olam literally means world repair. It implies social action through social justice. It has been used to provide further protection for those potentially disadvantaged as in providing freedom from slavery.
Dottie Laster: Human Trafficking Abolitionist

Dottie Laster: Human Trafficking Abolitionist

People do not like to talk about human trafficking. And despite the increased awareness featuring human trafficking in books, films, etc., it remains one of the top illegal commodities in the world.
Survival Observations

Survival Observations

Surviving (our topic and word of the day) is very important to our species. It is so important and vital that without it—well we just wouldn’t survive, would we?
Thanksgiving Observations

Thanksgiving Observations

What are we really celebrating with Thanksgiving? Perhaps we really need to rethink Thanksgiving to be more inclusive of everyone in our population. This may be controversial in our overly sensitive times.
Amplifying Hope

Amplifying Hope

People lean in to hear a whisper. You don’t have to shout to be heard. Crank up the hope and you got a better relationship, a better city, a better country, and a better earth.
Observations on Respect and the Intrusion of Hate

Observations on Respect and the Intrusion of Hate

It is healthy to respect others and find some quality in them that you appreciate—this is a very healthy viewpoint for humanity. You can readily respect your enemies but it makes sense to not underestimate them.
Observations: Celebrating Our Two-Party System

Observations: Celebrating Our Two-Party System

A two-party system should encourage political parties to work together and find common positions—it is not about hating the other party and its members. Hate does not encourage stability and growth.