Set against the government’s shutdown charade, President Obama, awarded the Medal of Freedom to retired Army Captain William Swenson, citing among his incredible acts of valor under fire, “a simple act of compassion & loyalty to a fellow brother-in-arms.” As Captain Swenson places a wounded soldier he has just rescued onto a helicopter, he bends down &, in the President’s words, does “something unexpected”: kisses his comrade on his forehead. All recorded from a rescue pilot’s helmet video camera, now displayed before the public during the White House ceremony.

In case you didn’t notice, with all the recent fanfare involving ground-breaking Supreme Court decisions, government spying, or the demise of a Southern cooking empire, Texas—where they do everything on a grand scale—carried out its 500^th “modern execution.” Modern, that is to say, since 1982, when the death penalty was resumed in that state.

Does the US Supreme Court practice bullying? Under the guise of “seniority,” the newest justice is expected to perform menial tasks such as answering the conference door during closed sessions,  transmitting orders of the Court to the court’s clerk— and serving coffee to the others. How many years did Ruth Bader Ginsberg have to stand before she was allowed to sit for photo ops? Are these time-honored practices another form of hazing as we see in college fraternities or the military academies—a rite of passage?

The recent focus on bullying has captured the nation’s attention, from pop stars such as Madonna, all the way to the President and First Lady. And now there is a major movie based on real life experiences of children. We’ve read numerous accounts of bullying in the classroom, hazing in college fraternities and in the military. And among Wall Street traders. We’ve seen repercussions at a distance in cyber bullying and webcam spying. And blatant examples in hate crimes, sexual harassment, and the devastation caused by gangs. Intolerance of differences and control of others by coercion: hardly characteristics of democracy.

Each of us can recognize inhumane, anti-democratic practices and change them into positive encounters.

“Why Would anyone Miss War?” Afghanistan war correspondent, Sebastian Junger asks. “War,” he suggests, “can be tremendously alluring to young men.” So what is its attraction to young men and women? Our recent wars, in contrast to World Wars One and Two, have employed an all volunteer military.

My enthusiasm—yes, and excitement—over the possibilities of the Thiel Fellowships (for youth under 18 years-old) continues. I previously cited how Nick Cammarata and David Merfield, are developing ways to revolutionize schooling by changing the ways that teachers teach—giving their lectures online in the homes of their students, and using class time for exposition and application.

In my post “Empathy in Politics” (November 5, 2010), I reiterated the lack of empathy that others had noted in the President: “Empathy . . .

The term Narcissism got a bad rap from the beginning when Freud published his classical paper on the subject in 1915.

crossposted at www.denniebriggs.com/wp/

The New Year will see California all set for an execution. Nothing new, even though five federal court judges argue that Kevin Cooper was framed by the police. Aside from guilt or innocence, the verdict again raises the issue of the death penalty.

Cross posted at www.denniebriggs.com/wp/