Can you name something you did that people called you crazy for attempting?

I’m competing in an adult spelling bee at a bar tomorrow night. Enough said.

When was the last time you were really proud of your country?

My great-grandfather, on my mother’s side of the family, died when he was in his late 90s. He lived through five wars, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights era, the race to space, the discovery of life-saving vaccines, the spread of life-threatening diseases, the first signs of global warming, the Beatles, the Backstreet Boys (I don’t think he knew what a Backstreet Boy was, to be honest), and so, so, much more. He saw and experienced more in his lifetime than any of us could ever dream to witness.

My great-grandfather worked day in and day out as a roofer sitting under Oklahoma’s scorching July sun in a day where an icebox was literally an icebox and air conditioning was a dream like we dreamt of flying cars for the 2000s. Only air conditioning actually happened.

I’m proud of my country every day because of the hard-working men and women — like my great-grandfather — whose attitudes, dedication, and generosity make our country better. The hard-working men and women - like my great-grandfather - who know we have a duty to leave our country better than we found it.
We have so much to be proud of in our nation ... and yet, so little control over the noise that drowns out our triumphs.
Like my great-grandmother taking the volume knob away from my great-grandfather as he drove, we ought to take control over the volume of the noise and appreciate what we have.

How do you define patriotism?

Patriotism is not a noun. Patriotism is a verb. Patriotism is an act of loyalty ... an act of goodwill ... an act of devotion not to the name of a place ... but to the people who make that place what it is.  Patriotism is living proud of — and contributing to — the diverse values and beliefs that create a shared ecosystem of humanity.

Do you donate to charity? Why or why not?

I do, occasionally.  I prefer to support local organizations who use my contribution — of money and/or time — to directly improve the community they serve.

Can you define what it means to be financially comfortable?

Being financially comfortable is knowing you can splurge on the large tub of popcorn that comes with free refills at the movies without worrying about whether you can afford to keep the lights on next month.

What characteristics define a great President of the United States?

Morality. Unity. Motivation. Inspiration. Decisiveness. Courage. Integrity.

An understanding of the fundamental difference between governing and politics — and the willingness to stick to the former.

Have you ever experienced the presence of God? If so, can you describe it?

The summer before my sophomore year of high school, I went to church camp. Not just any church camp. Trapped in the Oklahoma “mountains” was Falls Creek.  I was skeptical much of the week. Then, had an embarrassing, but enlightening moment one afternoon. On the last night of church camp, we sat in a circle — candles in hand — and one by one, each camper shared how their experience at church camp brought them closer to Jesus/God.  Every person who shared before me cried. They shared how they had a deeply moving, emotional journey that they felt connected them to the Holy Spirit.

I didn’t cry.

I didn’t have that deeply moving, emotional journey.

And that’s how I knew I experienced the presence of God.

Because in that moment, I learned what it meant to have faith. I understood what it meant to be religious.

They’re not one in the same.

Faith is a personal acceptance and belief.  It’s not forced. It’s not organized. It’s what you make of it. It’s the individual connection to something greater than yourself.

Can you name something another country does really well that you wish we did here?

Every year I grow older, I work harder. 

Every year Italians grow older, they grow more appreciative of their earth, their fruits of their labor, their peace, their time.

It doesn’t hurt that they live in Italy. But, picky-picky.

Sitting at a funeral, what do you think about?

I think about what might be and what might have been.

Sitting at a wedding, what do you think about?

I think about what might be and what might have been.

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