Blog
South Sudan: A new nation struggles
I know a little bit more about South Sudan than about the average African nation because I attend an Episcopal church, and the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago has a relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Renk, in South Sudan. The country became independent in 2011. Last year, Bishop Joseph Atem of the Diocese of Renk… [Read More]
Central African Republic: Culture and Customs
I’m still working on learning a little about Africa, one nation at a time. I was hoping to find more good news than I have, but then I remember that life in Chicago looks very different to people who watch cable news than it does to people who live there. Yes, Chicago has too much… [Read More]
Movie review: Ivory Tower
Ivory Tower had a limited theatrical run this summer. I caught it the day it was in Chicago. The DVD and on-demand versions will be available later this month. The documentary raises a few interesting questions: what should college be, and how much should it cost? One key problem is that if the price is too high,… [Read More]
The middle-class squeeze and the frugal economy
Consumer spending represents 69% of U.S. GDP. That number includes spending on health care and education as well as spending on purses and shoes, and it’s big. The way to get ahead financially is to live on less money than you earn and get a return that beats inflation. In one sense, it’s very easy…. [Read More]