Archive By Section - Columns
Councils' strategies are smart moves
Both Camden City and Kershaw County councils seem to be made up of people with good heads on their shoulders.
The face(s) of Kershaw County public education
While sorting through the papers of a deceased friend of mine who wished them given to the South Caroliniana Library, I came across a 1970-71 annual of the Kershaw County Vocational Center. I soon visited Howard Branham, director of the Camden Archives and Museum, to see if they had a copy in their collection. They did not but in a few minutes Howard made a copy and added it to their collection.
Doing multiculturalism right
Among their other headaches, some of Europe's biggest leaders are troubled by the lukewarm state of their countries' melting pots.
We need an energy solution ... fast
Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi is screaming bloody murder and vowing to be a martyr.
A personal recollection
As South Carolinians continue their celebration of Black History Month, I am today even more uplifted than ever by the profound contributions of African-Americans to the never-ending challenge to improve our communities, our state and our nation.
County sets efficiency, prosperity as targets
The 2011 Kershaw County Council is off to a quick start. First, we were faced with the resignation of the county administrator. Fortunately, Frank Broom, a seasoned county and city administrator, stepped forward. The Council unanimously voted for Mr. Broom to become the interim county administrator. Mr. Broom has wasted no time in demonstrating his exceptional leadership skills in the public arena. Many lingering issues were immediately resolved and many new initiatives were suggested. ...
Thumb-twiddling no option
WASHINGTON -- Procrastination is rarely a cost-free strategy. That is true when it comes to fixing Social Security -- as much as the Obama administration and, even more forcefully, its allies on the left may wish to believe otherwise. Their "what's the big rush?" message goes like this: The retirement program isn't really contributing to deficits in the short run. Indeed, its finances are healthy enough so that it can continue paying all promised ...
Gardens and guns
NEW YORK -- Now would be a very good time to be a cartoonist. Or perhaps not. As the late cartoonist Doug Marlette frequently lamented, "How do you cartoon a cartoon? We're living in ÎToon Town.'"
How to make a city special
Asheville, N.C. – I dig red leather chairs. You know what else I dig? Of course you do -- I dig champagne. Now, granted, after a glass or two of bubbles, my eyes stray to the reds list, my real poison of choice, but there is still an unparalleled sensation to taking in some champagne. You can't be in a bad mood with champagne in hand. Then there are books. I especially ...
Restructuring efforts moving in the House
Accomplishing more with less is a critical challenge facing the state in 2011. In order to help meet this challenge, lawmakers are considering a variety of government restructuring proposals. Restructuring government is a positive investment in the future of South Carolina.
Regretting the errors with a smile
Today, you'll find a correction and clarification to a story I wrote recently about a pair of neighboring home invasions.
A star blogger's hard-learned lessons
If a courtroom trial is a contest between dueling narratives, Shirley Sherrod's lawsuit against Andrew Breitbart reads like Little Nell taking on Snidely Whiplash.
The leadership vacuum
WASHINGTON -- Failure of political leadership knows no party. The past few days have offered an unfortunate demonstration of this sad maxim: House Speaker John Boehner ducking his appropriate role in countering the belief that President Obama is a Muslim, and the president himself, once again ducking a leadership role in dealing with the nation's fiscal crisis.
Mandela's lesson for Egypt
Egypt's latest pharaoh has surrendered his crown. He was booted from his throne not by armies but through a groundswell of Twitter Age popular will. Let Egyptians celebrate. They've earned it. And let tyrants elsewhere tremble. They deserve to. But, even as Egyptians celebrate, they would be wise to remember that their biggest challenges are only beginning. The same holds true for the Obama administration. As the participants in Egypt's remarkably ...
A veteran's story
The grizzled veteran Marine pilot from Cassatt watched as Chinese fishing boat crews fought fiercely with their 18- to 20-foot oars for position to be first in line in order to save the airplane crew which had gone down in the South China Sea. The fishing boat which brought in the U.S. crew received a financial reward. Those who finished second wasted a lot of time and effort.
Articles by Section - Columns
Noted and passed
** A new Gallup poll indicates that Americans rank the performance of Congress at the lowest level since polling on the subject began. Only 10 percent of citizens say they have confidence in Congress, with no discernible difference among those who call themselves Democrats and those who say they're Republicans. Congress rates last on a list of 16 institutions, with the American military ranking first. The Gallup organization has been asking opinions of Congress ...
Crisis of faith in government
WASHINGTON -- It is reassuring that in the midst of so much government dysfunction, the IRS has resolved the question of when and whether to tax tanning beds under the Affordable Care Act. Do not be concerned about that giddiness you feel. You are not having a nervous breakdown but are suffering a symptom commonly associated with recognition that the absurd has become the accepted norm -- and that you are, in fact, alone. ...
KCSD has had a one terrific school year
The end of the school is a veritable kaleidoscope of activities and excitement, with happiness and even a little relief thrown in for good measure. For me, it's also a time to reflect on the school district's many accomplishments over the past year. To say the least, it's been one terrific year! This month, I wanted to review just a few of the many highlights of 2012-13:
Game of Thrones is good, but tough TV
Back in March 2012, I wrote about my newfound love of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series. I mentioned -- almost as a side note -- the brilliant HBO television series based on the books (and named after the first novel) Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones is good, but tough TV
Back in March 2012, I wrote about my newfound love of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series. I mentioned -- almost as a side note -- the brilliant HBO television series based on the books (and named after the first novel) Game of Thrones.
Welcome to the good life
Were talking coffee and burgers today, folks.
Secrecy scandal? Not so much
When is a scandal not really a scandal? Many are shocked to hear that the government, in its pursuit of terrorists as relentlessly as Wile E. Coyote chases the Road Runner, is massively snooping into our phone records and popular social networks without search warrants.
Addressing the marriage question
I think it's safe to say that I've definitely reached the age where people often feel the need to ask the "marriage question." And by that, I mean frequent inquiries about to whom and when I'm getting married, why I'm not attached at the moment, etc., etc., etc. Which is fine. I don't mind answering that I'm not seeing anyone serious at the moment or that I'm not ready ...
Ideas always welcome here
For the past couple of years, Kimbrell's has been considering closing its Camden furniture store due to the declining downtown foot traffic. Recently, the CEO of Kimbrell's met with Camden officials and, upon hearing of our plans to revitalize Camden, committed to renovate the interior and exterior of their store at the corner of Broad and Rutledge. For those who want to see the eventual results of the ongoing renovation, check out Kimbrell's in ...
Tweaking real life
NEW YORK -- It was never quite clear what feminizing the workplace would mean when women en masse invaded corporate America a generation ago.
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