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Practically Idealistic blog
 
The title for this blog originated with use of the term “practical idealist” in this 1996 opinion piece, which asked: “To what kind of work should a practical idealist aspire?” A century and a half earlier, Emerson, in his 1841 essay Circles, wrote: “There are degrees in idealism.  We learn first to play with it academically. . . .  Then we see in the heyday of youth and poetry that it may be true, that it is true in gleams and fragments.  Then, its countenance waxes stern and grand, and we see that it must be true.  It now shows itself ethical and practical.”  John Dewey and Mahatma Gandhi embraced practical idealism in the 20th century, as did UN Secretary General U Thant.  Al Gore invoked it in a 1998 speech. In the context of this blog, the term is meant to convey idealism tempered but not overwhelmed by realism: a search for the ideal on a path guided by common sense.
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Thursday, December 30, 2021

Dwight Hall Center for Public Service and Social Justice

Thanks to the Dwight Hall Center for Public Service and Social Justice for its generous profile article, by Lydia Burleson.  As the piece indicates, Dwight Hall played a formative role in my development as an undergraduate, and continues to provide a hub for young people to learn and serve.

8:27 pm est 

Sunday, December 26, 2021

CASA for Children in the New York Times Holiday Gift Guide 2021

After Nicholas Kristof and Kristof Impact recommended the CASA movement for children in November 2020, Jane Coaston at the New York Times opinion page has written a powerful essay in favor of CASA--which is featured in the Times Holiday Gift Guide 2021.

10:37 am est 

Friday, December 17, 2021

Connecticut CASA Leadership from Yale and Other Universities
 
Already, Connecticut CASA has benefited not only from the National CASA network but also from alumni/ae, faculty, and students from multiple universities, including UConn, SCSU, and Quinnipiac among others.
 
This month, Sarah Feng of the Yale Daily News covered the role of Yale alumni/ae in Connecticut CASA's early growth.  Not even counting three current Yale School of Medicine students who are CASA volunteers (or any of the many Yale affiliates who have already donated toward our work), she cited some dozen Yale graduates among the Board, Advisors, Ambassadors, Volunteers, and staff.
10:34 pm est 

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

A Grim Anniversary, with Action Still Needed

 

On the anniversary of the Sandy Hook school attack in Newtown, I’m thinking of the victims and their families—and of how much still needs to be done to enhance security from gun violence.

 

This Connecticut Mirror opinion piece, from the aftermath, unfortunately remains relevant.

5:55 am est 

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Advisory Council Grows

As the New Haven Register among other Hearst CT Media outlets reported, along with the Connecticut Law Tribune, Connecticut CASA has welcomed two former judges--Joette Katz and Angela C. Robinson--to its Advisory Council.

Together with caring, consistent CASA Volunteers, the Board of Directors, Ambassadors, and Advisory Council are helping this organization grow in resources and visibility.

The aim: safe, permanent homes where all children can thrive. 

9:15 am est 


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