Author Archives: James Ernest

Two paths diverge: positive and negative examples at the February school board meeting

The February 2023 meeting of our community’s school board offered both positive and negative examples of how to talk together.

Everyone Needs Compassion

At the monthly meetings of the Board of Education of Caledonia Community School, members of the public are allowed to make three-minute addresses to the trustees. Here is what I said tonight. Two words from me tonight: compassion and sex. Compassion comes first. And last. I know a song: “Everyone needs compassion.” It’s true. LifeContinue reading “Everyone Needs Compassion”

State rep too blinded by partisanship to show compassion over latest mass shooting

The title of this post is not my own creation. It was supplied by The Sun and News when this essay was printed in today’s edition in Letters from Our Readers. It accurately captures the central point. Again with the killings. Again, a person who under any sane regulatory system would not have been permittedContinue reading “State rep too blinded by partisanship to show compassion over latest mass shooting”

Christian identity, the Ten Commandments, and the way of Jesus

To say “I am a Christian” is to say a lot, and saying it in the wrong setting, or with the wrong intention, or while in the wrong relationship to what (and whom) the term rightly refers to, is dangerous.

Divisions and factions

But if anyone is disposed to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. Now in this instruction that I give you I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, to begin with, when you come togetherContinue reading “Divisions and factions”

Angela Rigas and the “God-given right” to possess and use guns with no restrictions whatsoever

So Angela Rigas, Michigan state representative for the district in which I live, considers red-flag laws (extreme-risk protection orders), universal background checks, and requirements for safe storage of guns to be violations of the Second Amendment. Most Americans do not. Americans (and Michiganians) have differing opinions on all sorts of things. On some questions relatingContinue reading “Angela Rigas and the “God-given right” to possess and use guns with no restrictions whatsoever”

Unofficial notes on the 1/16/2022 Caledonia Community Schools board meeting

I attended the January 16 meeting of the Caledonia school board and took notes. These are my personal, unofficial notes. There are certainly omissions, and there may be errors. The videorecording of the meeting was posted yesterday, so you can verify anything there. For the public comment section, I have added the hour/minute/second reference forContinue reading “Unofficial notes on the 1/16/2022 Caledonia Community Schools board meeting”

Fears and hopes

These are the remarks that I read during public comment time at the Caledonia Community Schools board meeting this evening. First, to the three elected in November: congratulations. To the four continuing: you have served well. Thank you. Here is what I fear, and what I hope. First: what I fear. I am one ofContinue reading “Fears and hopes”