Local footprints of history

The S. C. Confederation of Local Historical Societies held its 2011 annual convention in Walterboro April 14-16. Its conventions consist of a business meeting, presentations on historical topics, tours of local historic sites, and an awards banquet. The theme of this convention was the Revolutionary War.

‘Smallville’ finale was worth the wait

After 10 years and a sometimes absurd number of plot twists, Tom Welling -- er, Clark Kent -- finally flew.

Boeing complaint would take away S.C. jobs

South Carolina is what's known as a "right to work" state -- meaning workers can't be forced to join a union. Twenty-two states have "right to work" laws safeguarding employees' rights to decide for themselves whether to join, or financially support, a union.

Presidential disqualifier

WASHINGTON -- Some people believe that Mitt Romney is unfit to be president because the health reform he instituted as Massachusetts governor included an individual mandate.

An un-common culture war

How delighted the Chicago-based rapper Common must be to find that someone still views him as controversial.

Plentiful fuel

I just learned I'm going to save money! My apartment building in New York will switch from heating oil to cleaner natural gas. Gas is much cheaper than oil now because energy companies found ways to get more of it out of the ground.

Tales of the red tape

Hotels, restaurants, airlines and other businesses open to the public need to make some adjustments soon. The federal government says they must accommodate the animals that help the blind and others with disabilities.

Romney's pre-emptive strike

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Sitting under the lush palms and blue skies of the richest Americans' favorite resort -- during off-season when the rich wouldn't be caught dead here, I hastily add -- I naturally couldn't wait to watch Mitt Romney's PowerPoint presentation on health care.

Digging into some great mysteries

As regular readers of my column know, my love of novels usually centers on science fiction and fantasy.

Late session business

Usually around the end of May the House and the Senate prepare for the end of session. Before the General Assembly can leave for the year, a budget must be passed. The State Fiscal Year ends on June 30. The Senate is currently working on its version of the budget. The House and Senate versions will be worked out in conference committee and brought before both chambers for a vote. The budget will then ...

A plea for better junk on TV

Fifty years ago this week, then Federal Communications Chairman Newton Minow famously skewered the nation's daily television programming as "a vast wasteland." Today it is still largely a wasteland, in my view, because that's mostly what people want.

What bin Laden, Geronimo shared in common

Native American leaders are upset that Geronimo's name was used as code for Osama bin Laden. I respect their concern, but I don't think this particular reference is the insult that tribal leaders think it is.

Normal in an abnormal way

You know you're getting old when you start getting picked for health studies.

City budget process: look back, look ahead and plan

As Camden City Council moves past first reading of the 2011-2012 budget and on to second reading May 24th, it is important for our community to understand how we budget and where our priorities originate.

A time for optimism

It seems you can't open a newspaper or turn on the television these days without being clobbered with "bad news" -- news about tragic natural disasters, sky-rocketing gas prices, national unemployment rates that continue to climb, and political strife in Washington. It's an unfortunate fact that positive things are overlooked too often.

Not such strange bedfellows

WASHINGTON -- Breaking news: Conservative organizations suddenly have found common cause with one of their favorite objects of contempt -- the benighted Mainstream Media.

Seniors reflect

I meet with a lot of groups and committees over the course of the year, and I think it's important for me to do so. One of my favorite groups is Student Cabinet, which is comprised of student government leaders from each of our high schools. We meet four times a year over lunch. What I love and value about students is that they don't hesitate to tell you what's ...

A matter of conscience:

In 1929, my family moved from Chesterfield County to a farm adjoining the farm of Donald Holland's parents in the Cassatt community. I was a year old at the time but before many years passed, Donald and I established a friendship lasting until Donald's passing in 2003.

When DOJ targets press, we all lose

To say I was stunned was putting it mildly. I was shocked to learn about the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) decision to seize phone records belonging to the Associated Press (AP). The C-I does not belong to the AP; I have never written for the service. That doesn't negate my outrage at DOJ's actions.

Fredericksburg Township explored

Our grand city of Camden is a beautifully preserved town laid out in an 18th century plan devised by Joseph Kershaw. We are proud of our historic homes and buildings, carefully placed public parks, wide streets, and beautiful trees. So it is easy to forget that this was not the original plan for the "town" that was to develop in this area of South Carolina. The original plan was a part of the "Township ...

What was the IRS thinking?

Well, this is a fine mess.

Are we willing to pay for increased public safety?

Kershaw County public safety is at a crossroads. The sheriff's office is greatly understaffed and deputies are compensated for their mandatory overtime work by an antiquated and grossly unfair payment system. The solicitor's office is working with half the staff it needs to properly prosecute the cases it receives every month and the jail is barely able to keep sufficient staff to meet state standards. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: ...

Benghazi redacted

Gatsby? What Gatsby?