Don't call me 'ma'am'

I'm getting old, which is a realization that hit me like a sack of bricks when my husband John and I went to the movies recently.

No excuses for reckless 'sexting'

An Australian demographer has found a malady that makes some middle-aged men think they are more attractive to women than they actually are.

The danger in 140 characters

MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell says that he'd own up if it were his. Jon Stewart says that he doesn't remember his old friend being quite all that!

Online to be 2012 campaign battlefield

Presidential candidates had it easy in the pre-Internet age. Campaigns considered in the increasingly distant past didn't have to worry about Internet fundraising, emailing supporters, or trying to stay up to date and compete with their opponents online. They didn't even have to create a website, a move that every candidate must now do in order to win an election -- unless you're Alvin Greene running for a nomination in ...

Race to the Bottom

The state superintendent of education, Mick Zais, and Gov. Nikki Haley will not apply to the U.S. Department of Education for up to $50 million in federal Race to the Top funds allocated for South Carolina's public school system.

The ramp

The C-130 was parked on the tarmac, her rear door open, yawning in the afternoon sun. The small, relatively quiet corner of the runway in which she was parked stood in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the surrounding airfield. The base, elsewhere, was alive with activity. This made perfect sense given that this was a warzone; schedules had to be kept, deadlines had to be met, missions had to be completed. Her ...

Citizen Cain, rhymes with 'pain'

To all of those readers who say I should pay more attention to the rising presidential campaign of Republican Herman Cain, I am happy to announce that he has it.

Defunding defense

Can America's defense budget be cut? Yes. Unfortunately, President Obama is going about it exactly backwards.

Graduating seniors reminisce

One of the groups I meet with on a regular basis is Student Cabinet, which is made up of student leaders from each of our three high schools. It's always energizing and informative for me to hear the insights, opinions and perspectives from this very impressive group of young people.

Getting America back in the space race

Fifty years ago in April, Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to be launched into space. Twenty-three days later, American Astronaut Alan Shepard became the second.

Julie Andrews still the real deal

I have a friend who works in the television business out in Los Angeles. She's employed by the host of a late-night talk show, so meeting celebrities is an everyday occurrence for her as she deals with them on matters regarding the program.

The Poppy Red

I recently learned of another attribute of being the middle child -- family historian. How wonderful, I thought; I've been looking for more to do in my day. Besides, I'm the sibling in the middle; you know, the pleaser, the inventive one. I suppose this could be fun, maybe rather interesting, I announced with the slightest of sarcasm. So I accepted the 15-plus boxes with a smile.

Why libraries are still important

When discussing whether libraries will weather shifts in technology, librarians who have been on the scene longer (OK, only slightly longer) than I have like to mention how everyone was predicting our demise when the Internet came along in the '90s Instead, libraries added free access to the Internet to their missions, and in the process have helped millions bridge the digital divide. Anyone who's been in a library recently will likely attest that they ...

Bringing back the lash

When Peter Moskos' new book landed on my desk, I wasn't sure if it was going to be a treatise on crime and punishment or some sort of kinky sex manual.

Entitled to be a cad

WASHINGTON -- I write often about the problem of entitlement spending. Today's topic is the problem of entitlement behavior.

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?

Another view of Plan B

In "Getting it wrong about Plan B," Ruth Marcus ends her column by stating that the debate over the proposed Plan B policy "isn't about the government coming between parents and children or society condoning teen sex. It's about preventing teen pregnancy."

Are you (fill in the blank) enough?

WASHINGTON -- Enough with this "enough" business.

Reflecting on 100 years of success

KershawHealth recently completed a week of celebration commemorating the opening of the Camden Hospital in 1913 and a century of outstanding care. One of the things that struck me during those activities was the incredible amount of community support the hospital has always enjoyed, and the amazing things that strategic thinking and teamwork can accomplish.

What Sanford win says about S.C.

Somehow, the man who walked the Appalachian Trail all the way to Argentina to see his mistress got elected to Congress last Tuesday in a voting outcome that almost defies belief.