Tucker for President -- of Clemson

Clemson University is looking for a new president, and I'm interested in the job.

Give ‘bomb control’ a chance

He thought his wife was in love with another man, police say, so James L. McFillin of Baltimore decided to blow the other man up.

Sexuality in athletics

Earlier this week, NBA player Jason Collins came out to the public as being gay. His announcement made headlines on just about every news website and blog that I scanned over and, of course, Facebook and Twitter were taken over with personal opinions regarding the subject. I support Collins and commend him on his bravery for deciding to "come out of the closet" and to be honest with the ...

The Bush I knew

WASHINGTON -- In a reprieve from the horror of the most recent terrorist attack, the nation's attentions turned to the man who declared the war on terrorism, George W. Bush.

Big Al and the rabbit fish

More than 50 years ago, I spent many a day fishing with my maternal grandfather on Lake Wateree. He was known to all as Daddy John and the lake was always called The River. Daddy John knew the location of every Bream/Crappy-Bed and Catfish-Hole at The River. Amazingly, he knew all of the fish in the lake by name. He also knew a great big turtle that he affectionately called Big Al.

A few items from the grab bag

This is one of those weeks where I don't have any one thing in particular to write about. That is due in part, at least, to the fact that I was sick most of last week with a touch of bronchitis. What fun. So, instead of trying to strain my brain, I thought I'd just touch on a few things here and there that dimly caught my attention ...

The terror of not knowing

WASHINGTON -- As the manhunt for the Boston bombers reached its climactic conclusion, Americans of all hues and backgrounds heaved a sigh of relief. Thank goodness it wasn't ... fill in the blank:

Gay marriage battle not same as civil rights movement

No one wants to be labeled a bigot. Not in this day or age. Not at this time in American culture, and especially not pertaining to the current battle on gay marriage.

When profiling becomes a real menace

Some media found the possibility that foreign terrorists bombed the Boston Marathon to be too tantalizing an explanation to pass up, even when it snares the wrong suspects.

Faith healing v. common sense

When do religious affiliation and common sense collide? You would think they would somehow meet when your child dies after a failed attempt at "faith healing," but apparently not. A "faith healing" couple on probation for the death of their 2-year-old son will soon be charged for the death of their, other 8-month-old son who died last week in Pennsylvania. The children's parents, Herbert and Catherine Schaible, have been labeled as fundamental ...

Spring-time tips for healthy trees

I said this last month, but now I really mean it -- Happy Spring! It's evident spring is here by seeing the hordes of folks scurrying around in the garden section of many of our local stores. For many of us the allure of warm weather and blooming plants stirs us to get outside and get our hands in the dirt. If you haven't gotten outside yet to do your ...

Upgrading the loo

Fancy bathrooms are all the rage.

Issues with airplanes

This weekend, I will be traveling via airplane for the first time alone. Needless to say, I'm pretty nervous about the whole ordeal. For starters, I'm terrified of heights. I'm talking, if I see a photo of someone skydiving or one of those "cool" pictures in National Geographic where a person is scaling a cliff, my heart rate automatically speeds up and I feel nauseous, bordering on a panic ...

The governor, the soul mate and ... The End

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- As the reporter said to the novelist: Why bother to make stuff up?

Immigration discussion begins

By the time you read this, a group of United States Senators will likely have introduced the first significant proposal on immigration reform in more than 20 years. While it is far too early to comment on its content -- the group has been fairly secretive as to details -- the simple fact that such a high profile group will be offering a proposal is noteworthy. And it ...

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?