As we work to improve our child welfare system through legislative reform, let’s ensure that the children at the center of our child welfare cases are seen, heard and represented. Let’s guarantee them the right to legal counsel.

The opening part of the State of the Union address about Ukraine seems to have been tacked on to a speech that had already been written. The words sounded good — freedom over tyranny was one good line — and the threat to go after Russian oligarchs may have appealed to that other war Democrats love to fight (that would be class warfare) — but words are not the kind of weapons Ukraine needs right now.

I am a child of domestic violence, so believe me when I say: It doesn’t matter if the woman’s name is Kardashian or Jones, this is all quite real. And Kim Kardashian deserves what every woman in this situation deserves: empathy and regard.

The best way out of this stupid, murderous war — for Russians, for Ukrainians, the rest of the world, including greedy oligarchs — isn’t more sanctions or more war. The way out for the oligarchs is a Kremlin coup toppling Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The crisis in Ukraine further reminds us how unpredictable and unstable life can be, even for people like us. But it also shows how memories of a strong civic culture can keep people like us fighting to preserve it.