Candace Donnelly

We are making our way through a book study of George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” (Applewood Books, 1988). Glad you are here as we learn from our first president the life lessons he thought were essential for success. A recurrent theme in this book is how to treat […]

Common Sense Civics and Citizenship Word of the Day: Espionage Act  “The Espionage Act of 1917 prohibited obtaining information, recording pictures, or copying descriptions of any information relating to the national defense with intent or reason to believe that the information may be used for the injury of the United States or to the advantage […]

Do you spend much time thinking about the border crisis or do you push it out of your mind? Does it grate on your nerves or are you confident that someone else is taking care of it? Maybe you are just too busy earning a living to think about it. Perhaps you have a personal […]

Spring is generally a time of personal reflection and renewal. Americans take up activities like physical fitness boot camps, spring cleaning, self-denial during the Lenten season… Okay. I can almost hear you adding March Madness to the list 🙂 Some of George Washington’s practices remind me of these early spring rituals. Thanks for joining us […]

I have this scene rolling around in my mind like a movie. It’s the USA from the 1770s to the1950s knocking on a large door. On the other side of that door are Gen X’ers, Millenials, the older Gen Z’s and about half of the Baby Boomers.  The dialogue goes something like this: “Hi. We’re […]

We are cruising our way through a book study of George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” (Applewood Books, 1988). Congrats if you made it this far! Welcome to any newcomers who may be joining us for the first time. We are learning about the rules of life that George […]

Welcome once again to our book study on George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” (Applewood Books, 1988). I’ve so enjoyed reading your responses these past few weeks. A few of you have prior knowledge of GW rules for civility. Others of you have been embracing our first President’s treatment […]

Have you read an overview of the Green New Deal yet? You don’t know what you are missing! “Oh,” you say, “I listened to such and such a commentator, or I read about it on Twitter, in my newsfeed, etc.” Here at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, when we have the opportunity to read a […]

Amidst bitter winter temps in much of the nation, I see many people suggesting curling up with a good book. George Washington’s “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” is probably not what they were thinking 🙂  Even so, we began a book study discussing a few of the rules young George […]

CSCC Word of the Day: RIF (Reduction in Force) The acronym RIF has been bandied about as the government shutdown rolls on. Let’s get clarification on this term.  A Reduction In Force (RIF) is a thoughtful and systematic process of eliminating employee positions.  For all practical purposes, a government RIF is the same thing as a […]

Observing Martin Luther King Day Do you have a favorite quote or remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King? I recall the peaceful protests that Dr. King led. His mission in life became the headlines on the nightly news. His pastoral demeanor, his resolute posture, and his quest for civil rights not only for himself but […]

Let’s talk about common sense citizenship approaches to coping with the longest government shutdown in American history. Have you been affected in some way by the shutdown? What if it goes on for an extended period? What exactly would be a crisis level situation in your opinion? I am all about using common sense to […]

I used to love the Year In Review segments on and in the news when I was a kid (nerdy, right? lol) This tradition continued into much of my adult life. This year, however, I took a pass. All the division, death, discord… seems like those are the highlights of 2018. Frankly, I don’t care […]

“We have this day no less than 2,873 men in a camp unfit for duty because they are barefooted and otherwise naked …” Those were George Washington’s words two days before Christmas,1777 at Valley Forge. It isn’t the first time I have thought about this statement and the condition of the troops that bitter winter […]

Is it a day that lives in infamy? That’s what FDR said concerning December 7,1941 when ”the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”  To live in infamy means that a criminal or evil act will be remembered for time immemorial. Yet, I’m […]