Opinion

 Call him an aggressive progressive. In his full-throated declaration of progressive values in his inauguration speech, President Barack Obama eloquently states the case for modern liberalism. No apologies here.

Obama draws upon advances made throughout history to make the case that our ascent has been an ongoing progression from the notion that the status quo is good enough.

He emphasizes it was “together” we moved forward and only together can we keep building that “perfect union.”

 A forest fire raged on one side of a mighty river. At the river’s edge were a scorpion and a fox. They both faced imminent death. The scorpion said, “I can’t swim. Please let me ride on your back to safety on the other side.”

The fox replied, “No. For surely we will get halfway across the river, you will sting me and we will both die.”

 Sylvia Brockner’s bird pudding recipe

Editor:

I must say that I look forward to Sylvia Brockner’s informative and charming articles and illustrations. She has opened my eyes to nature and the animals that live around me. 

When Sylvia mentioned bird pudding in a recent Courant issue, I wanted her recipe. Thanks to editor Ian Neligh and contributing editor Deb Hurley Brobst and, of course, Sylvia, I can give it a try. Here is her recipe:

2 parts beef fat, melted

 The United States military passed a major milestone in 2012. For the first time in recent history, military suicides exceeded the number killed in combat. The military suicide rate has increased steadily over the past five years, exceeding the national average of 11.1 suicides per 100,000 people. 

Even more alarming, veterans discharged since 9/11 have had the highest suicide rate of all, estimated at between 22.9 and 31.9 per 100,000 people.

 I was wrong. Many times I have written about how divided we are and how I will not participate in the division. However, this morning as I write this column, I realized that we are truly united … United in Orange. 

Yes, it is Broncos playoff season and regardless of the outcome of today’s playoff, we are United in Orange. There is even a Twitter hashtag #UnitedInOrange to tweet your feelings about the situation. Fortunately for me, I have the chance to speak to you in this paper about the playoffs. 

Three weeks ago, I committed to you to not co-opt the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., by talking about the Second Amendment. However, I cannot say the same about virtually every liberal columnist, talk-show host or pundit. Before the first victims were buried, their message has been out there, and it has been uniform across all media. You might have heard it. They say, “Now is the time to have the conversation about gun control.”  

Perhaps good can come of the more-than-horrific mass murder of 20 of our most innocent Americans and their teachers. As a retired a teacher, I “get it,” as does every current and retired teacher when it comes to what teachers do: first protect your charges even at the cost of your life. 

The children — what can one say? Their slayings tear the heart out of every decent human being.

Research shows that coming home from a long deployment can cause more stress than the deployment itself. Although the return is viewed with great anticipation, changes at home can be significant. 

Expect everyone to be a little different. Loved ones have had new responsibilities and have made their own decisions. Don’t feel hurt if they did well on their own. Be proud. 

 The massacre of 27 people in Newtown, Conn., has ignited a national conversation about the intersection of gun control, mental illness and school safety.

First, Americans, at the very least, can insist that the national ban on assault weapons that expired in 2004 be reinstated and require background checks on gun purchasers at gun shows. No hunter needs an assault weapon for a successful hunt. And why shouldn’t purchasers at gun shows be subject to the same checks as other buyers?