Archive By Section - Columns
Signs that the NRA is losing
Now that they're facing Washington's first serious push for new gun violence prevention laws since the Columbine massacre, gun lobbyists are grasping at straws -- as in "straw" purchases.
Hold them close, then let them go
It's funny how parenting works. At times, I am wonderfully amazed at the position; in other moments, I am utterly confused by the entire ride as if I were falling down the rabbit hole. I believe it fair to say, even with all the preparations we think we've made, no one is ever ready. We are always caught off guard when parenthood chooses us. When the "smoke clears," we realize that, of ...
The world of Co-ops
Last weekend I attended a cooperative (co-op) development workshop sponsored by the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) I was invited to.
Two little red balls
My mother certainly was horrified that I seemed to enjoy learning, often telling me, "Boys do not like smart girls." Her idea of a good life for me was to find some man to take care of me, know all home skills such as cooking, sewing, etc., and fill the house with children. Today, because of her, I know those skills and enjoy them. I did however, only have one ...
Droning on about feelings
WASHINGTON -- First they came for the drones.
A fond farewell
One of my first tastes of a slice of life in Camden came nearly two years ago after cruising down the Wateree River with a couple of pirates.
Cupcakes
Being reared by a mother who was a wonderful cook, I rarely had the chance to do so, Mother's idea being for me to watch her do it. As most teenagers, I had little time for this inactive pursuit. Finally, Mother allowed me the honor of preparing a cake with her being the watcher. Since the cake to be baked was a pound cake, I thought this was a one-step ...
Time for a RINO Rebellion?
WASHINGTON -- RINO-hunting, the long popular political sport that morphed in 2008 into a sort of hysteria-driven obsession, lately has become a suicide mission.
It’s Citizens United all over again
Last July, I wrote about how disheartened I was that the Supreme Court of the United States refused, on a 5-4 partisan vote, to reconsider one of its worst decisions ever: Citizens United. The original 2010 ruling opened the door for "super" political action committees (Super PACs) to accept unlimited contributions and, in at least some cases, without full disclosure on where that money's coming from.
A Civil War history lesson
On the slope of Malvern Hill is where John Young saved Henry Truesdale's life. Jim Sheorn and W.S. Kirby were on each side of Young.
Being a preacher isn't easy
Many years ago, when I was a fresh-faced, full-of-spit-and-vinegar young reporter, I wrote a story indicating that a local church had hired a new minister.
Boys in the back of the class
Every year, millions of well-intentioned American kids show up at kindergarten or first grade woefully unprepared to learn. Some can't even tell you their own complete name, let alone spell any of it.
Tree Pruning 101 -- Part 2
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for Tree Care Operations for Pruning states "The purpose of utility pruning is to prevent the loss of service, comply with mandated clearance laws, prevent damage to equipment, avoid access impairment and uphold the intended usage of the utility space." When I worked for the S.C. Forestry Commission, I quoted this statement many times at community forums in places such as Elloree, ...
Bowling for sanity
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- When President Obama said in his State of the Union address that "This time is different," referring to his push for tighter gun-control laws, he wasn't just whistling Dixie.
Newcomers have most to prove at Daytona
Although Danica Patrick's pole position will give her the brightest spotlight at next week's Daytona 500, other up-and-coming drivers will have the most to prove as the green flag drops on NASCAR's season.
Articles by Section - Columns
A trifecta with little payout
WASHINGTON -- Folks, deep breath time. This is not the end of the Obama presidency. It's a bad stretch with an unfortunate confluence of unfortunate events. None of which will make the first paragraph -- not even the first page -- of the account of the Obama administration in the history books. Let's tick through the trifecta of scandals and what they tell ...
A short vocabulary lesson
This past weekend, I had the rare, but always enjoyable, visit from my grandparents. I don't know about you, but anytime I have the opportunity to spend time with them I learn something new; sometimes about myself, sometimes about life, but always it's something.
Landscape, architectural history professor visits Camden
Camden welcomed an extraordinary visitor and new friend last week: Nina Antonetti, an "urbanist." She's been teaching about cities at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., for the last 15 years.
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.
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