Getting the Third Degree

By Louis R. Avallone

Since the day after the presidential election, the number of emails I’ve received has steadily grown. Nearly 5,000 emails now, and the number of messages on my Facebook page has risen into the hundreds. All of these communications have escalated into phone calls, and they are even writing letters – nearly a dozen received in […]

Let Freedom Ring

By Louis R. Avallone

The 2016 campaign for president is over. And for millions of Americans this past election day, our country chose to let go of the past, and start anew. Today, it seems easier to recognize the abusive-like relationships that our country has gravitated towards, and clung to, over the past 50 years. Even though we knew […]

Just Listen to Me

By Louis R. Avallone

With the swearing-in of the 114th Congress last year, there are more African-Americans in the legislature than in any other period in history. And as you know, America elected its first African-American president in 2008, and then re-elected him in 2012. During this time, Eric Holder became the first African-American to hold the position of […]

A Fool’s Choice

By Louis R. Avallone

Manners tell us what to do, and what to expect others to do, in return. We say “please” and “thank you”. We don’t intentionally embarrass one another, or ask personal, prying questions. We hold a door open for someone, give up our seat in a waiting room for someone who needs it more than we […]

We Talk About the Power of Prayer

By Louis R. Avallone

We talk about the power of prayer. About how it can transform a life, enlighten and guide us. Inspire us. Many refer to themselves as “prayer warriors”, and they belong to prayer groups in churches all across our country, coming together to pray – everyday. Praying for healing. For peace. For wisdom. For the poor, […]

Can’t Get Comfortable With That

By Louis R. Avallone

They are not “comfortable” voting for Donald Trump, they say. Ted Cruz. John Kasich. Lindsey Graham. And now more than 75 Republicans have signed a letter urging that the Republican Party spend the party’s money on helping secure the Republican majority in the Senate, and not on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. You are not comfortable? Not […]

When It’s All About You

By Louis R. Avallone

President Obama’s remarks, at the memorial service for 5 slain Dallas police officers recently, was a sad reflection of why our nation is so divided, and why it’s not only important for us to do what is right in our communities, but to do it for the right reasons – and not just because of […]

Last Best Hope

By Louis R. Avallone

It was the highest voter turnout in Great Britain in almost 25 years. In fact, more than 30 million British voters went to the polls last month and voted on whether Great Britain should withdraw from the European Union (or “EU”). What is the EU? Well, I’m glad you asked, because it wasn’t exactly what […]

Our Own Worst Enemy Lives Within?

By Louis R. Avallone

The horrific events at a nightclub in Orlando this month, where 50 people were killed, like those at an office Christmas party in San Bernardino or at a Navy Reserve recruiting station in Chattanooga, the bombing of the Boston Marathon, the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, or the “workplace violence” killing at Fort […]

Why Barbara Norton’s Comments Matter

By Louis R. Avallone

By now, many of you have heard about Louisiana State Representative Barbara Norton’s comments about how the Declaration of Independence is “unfair” and “not the truth”, regarding her opposition to a bill in the state legislature mandating that schoolchildren in Louisiana be taught the Declaration of Independence. Some have been upset, to say the least. […]