THE UPSTATE AMERICAN

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Why we've lost those kumbaya moments
We need to be less fearful of our fellow citizens and less tolerant of their manipulators
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REX SMITH
1
Fighting the illusionists and the liars
Whether in deepfake videos or candidate speeches, truth is challenged as never before
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REX SMITH
3

March 2024

Selling out both Bible and Constitution
What Trump is really marketing with his latest retail pitch
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REX SMITH
4
What a smile might mean in politics
People in politics do all sorts of things to sell themselves -- sometimes to make money, but not always
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REX SMITH
1
Congress could learn from the road crews
There's no good to come from avoiding reality, because potholes don't fill themselves
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REX SMITH
Putting innovation and open minds at risk
Battles over spending and policy grow from rising anti-intellectualism, a common American ailment
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REX SMITH
4
Finding strength when gloom saps our will
Challenges in the public arena seem insurmountable, but we have a tool to sustain us
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REX SMITH
4

February 2024

When civic reality collides with imagination
The Magic Kingdom offers lessons, some hopeful and others dispiriting
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REX SMITH
A break for a healing dose of optimism and hope
Now that we've passed Imbolc and the lunar new year, let's take a break from dread
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REX SMITH
A moral imperative for government
What kind of a nation would we have if politicians put compassion first?
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REX SMITH
3
When pantomime substitutes for political action
A lot of what passes for work by elected officials is little more than play-acting
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REX SMITH
1

January 2024

Blame is shared for that tragic driveway shooting
Politicians' dark threats and exaggerations are inciting fear and violence
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REX SMITH
3
© 2024 REX SMITH
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