Too many men, men, men, men…
Today the Wall Street Journal ran a story about President Obama’s micromanagement style, illustrated with a picture by Pete Souza of President Obama at a briefing before a health-care meeting with Senate Democrats in June.  It’s a photo of six men and Obama, with various looks of consternation, fatigue, frustration, [...]

During college I went on an overseas study program to Iran. I went back a few years later and lived in Iran from 1972-1978 and hold the country dear.  As a trained and experienced mediator, I humbly make the following suggestions:
Please accept the invitation to go on Iranian TV.
Know that Persians are deeply philosophical, love [...]

I’m reminded of the children’s books, Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. In one of them about growing plants, Frog decides he’s going to force his seeds to grow faster. The story leads him to the realization that he needs to be sure they have sun and water and good soil, and they [...]

RE: House Panel Approves a Record $48 Billion for Spy Agencies
By Walter Pincus, Washington Post Staff Writer, May 4, 2007
$48,000,000,000. $48,000 million. $48 billion. In contrast, in 2006, the Department of State spent $16 billion. The Agency for International Development spent $10.5 billion (and 85% of our foreign aid [...]

Humans can learn skills. Communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving, mediation, group facilitation and negotiation are skills that are taught and can be learned. For each of these skills there are distinguishing characteristics of newbies and experts. So far, the evidence says that all the major players in the Bush II administration are newbies–their [...]

We’ve got troubles. Are you afraid of multiplying dangers, angry at the dysfunctional status quo and hungry for a practical path to a sustainable future? How can we “form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to [...]