Don’t worry, folks. In spite of the dark tenor of this issue of Uncommon Sense, I have not abandoned optimism. Still, dark realities must be faced up to. And for whatever reason, this issue #314 is loaded with them.

The Self-Development column provides some sound advice on how to stand out in a crowd. Read it carefully and then ask yourself what you will commit to do differently.

The Elephant in the Room column has me sharing exactly what I would do if I were a terrorist that hated the United States. It’s a sobering piece that you need to face up to.

The From Ara’s Journal column is written in a similar vein, reflecting on the state of our society and how it is becoming more tasteless and smutty, more vulgar and crude, and what awaits us if we don’t turn things around.

The World of Words column? Well, you know what awaits you there: a great new word to add to your ever-expanding vocabulary, enabling you to sound learned, seasoned, intelligent, and yes, brilliant!

OK, let’s get started.

Ara Norwood