Even if the criticism is not always perfectly informed and in some cases I would deem unfair, just the noise, attention, fuss probably keeps powerful officials or agencies on their toes. And they should be on their toes when it comes to the use of deadly force.

Civility also requires relearning how to disagree without being disagreeable. Surely you can question my policies without questioning my faith or, for that matter, my citizenship.

n case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died - an entire town destroyed.

We don't really have any kind of regulatory structure at all.

Part of what makes me most optimistic is if you look at the attitudes of young people. Across the board, young people are much more comfortable with respecting differences. They are much more comfortable with diversity.

Progress in the most impoverished parts of our world enriches us all.

The future rewards those who press on. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have time to complain. I'm going to press on.