R. Keith Iddings, PhD
Soon after the catastrophic failure of the Texas electrical grid during February’s frigid weather, Paul Krugman took aim at the deregulation of essential utilities. Krugman, a nobel prize winning economist, contended in the New York Times (February 22, 2021) that Texas politicians’ ill-conceived commitment to the application of unregulated free market principles led to much…
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When looking through the streaming options of our local library I stumbled on a treasure trove. It seems they have the wonderful BBC productions of Shakespeare’s plays. I know I’m a bit of an outlier, but I like Shakespeare. For me, his language and artistry as a playwright are unmatched. But more than that, I…
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Watching the videos of the assault on the US Capitol, January 6, 2021, makes my stomach churn. There is no question the attempt to subvert the centerpiece of our democracy is part of my reaction. I am dismayed by the disturbing images of Capitol police being brutalized, the obvious fear in the faces of our…
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In my daily scripture reading this morning I was pondering two separate passages. The first was part of my Old Testament reading in Genesis. In the middle of the amazing story of Joseph and his miraculous rise to prominence in Egypt, the writer of Genesis takes a jarring detour. The 38th chapter is about a…
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The following is a letter I would like to address to the pastor of my own local church. But I also feel it relevant to pastors of white evangelical churches across the United States. I offer it in humble love. ************************************** Dear Pastor, I just wanted to let you know that I’m praying for you,…
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In general, being part of a group is a good thing. But sometimes groups can go bad. And moral disaster can sneak up on us if we’re not careful. Let me explain. Do you remember Friday night football games when you were in high school? I generally directed traffic in the parking lot near the…
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I spent some time asking this question during my daily prayer time this morning. As, I’m sure was the case for many of you, I was alarmed and saddened at the news and pictures from the U.S. Capitol last evening (January 6, 2021). A large group of rioters and insurrectionists forced their way into this…
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As a dutiful, goal-oriented American, I took some time this past week to assess how well I’d met the goals I set last New Year. The results were not good. As I recall, I had put quite a bit of time into all the success steps recommended by experts. I had assessed my current situation.…
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For several months now, I have felt a bit on the defensive concerning many of the issues that have surfaced during 2020. Perhaps you have as well. I know it’s rather paranoid of me, but it feels as if my every action or decision is subject to critical review and judgement. Having spent much of…
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In Part 2 of this series I looked at the various criteria that we voters might consider when choosing between candidates for elected office. Just like any hiring decision, which aspects of the job applicant’s background are most important must be sorted out in order to make a final decision. I suggested most hiring managers,…
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