Then: Witness to an execution as the disparity, injustice, and cruelty of the death penalty is carried out. Now: The death penalty is abolished in twenty states.Then: Geraldine Ferraro was nominated by the Democratic Party to run as the vice presidential candidate. Now: Women are among those seeking the presidential nomination in both major parties. Then and now: The juxtaposition on a host of major issues present in the 1980's and the first decade of the 21st century. Is America a religious nation? The abuse of power, the relation between church and state: These are but a few sample of the 31 commentaries addressing issues spanning the decades from the 1980's to the present. There are some which stand alone without any parallel expression in our day. There is one titled: "Baseball Revisited." "The times they are a-changing. Yes and no!" "Is there anything new under the sun? Yes and no!"
