Merry Christmas and Happy Hannakuh and Happy Holidays!

This past year has been one of book writing and editing for me. I’ve also done some new (and I hope exciting!) things with my classes.

And, I’ve despaired over the political scene — first in North Carolina then in parts far beyond.

Through all of that, my blog has suffered, but it feels like the time to come back to it.

After all, if we want to build something better in terms of public discourse than what we have right now, everyone has to play a role.

Here is my Christmas present to you, a commentary I wrote for the Greensboro News & Record marking the 70th anniversary of It’s a Wonderful Life and the 75th anniversary of Meet John Doe.

I’m living in Pottersville and want to get out, but in ways large and small, Meet John Doe is the perfect film for our times.  Just remember, these times are bound to change.

We are suffering now, but let’s chart a better course forward.