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Current Meeting Materials

February 2024

Greetings to the Seton Hall/Micah family.

Winter rolls on, and so far has not been too harsh. I am sorry to note this month the passing of Terry Liddy, a longtime director for business and economics at the Micah institute. Terry was a leader who helped initiate and maintain the relationship between Seton Hall and the Ignatian Business Conference. May she see the light of God’s face!

Lent has started and so have political campaigns during this presidential election year. My pastor always says, “Let’s have a great Lent!” For everyone I hope that this period enables reflection and creates an opportunity for developing a more personal relationship with God.

The onslaught of harsh political language, which is an impediment to solitude and reflection, has begun. Perhaps because political language is so morally charged, three professors from prominent universities have tried to assess if presidential candidates set themselves apart through moral language. Their findings are the subject for this month’s reading.

In their analysis the researchers try to determine if candidates from the two major American political parties use language to emphasize different themes, and if there is a moral rhetorical relationship among candidates. Their work begs an inevitable question: are the parties appealing to different values because their voters believe different things, or is divergent moral rhetoric creating the divide? The writers conclude that candidates could win support by turning down the temperature on polarization and adjusting their moral language.

From my viewpoint, the acrimonious political environment and offensive language should not be a deterrent to voting. As Americans, we have this right which is the envy of many nations. Our participation in the process is essential for the preservation of our democratic system and values.

Please be prepared to vote in November, and have a great Lent!

Until March.

Wally Kennedy