A government union shakedown

"Raise our taxes!" Can you imagine chanting such a slogan at a public rally? Neither could most Americans.

The banality of triumph

NEW YORK -- It seems nearly heretical to say so, but the termination of Osama bin Laden feels oddly anti-climactic.

Welcome to Paybackistan

It was a bit startling to watch crowds of mostly college-aged youths raucously celebrating in front of the White House after President Barack Obama reported the death of Osama bin Laden.

bin Laden takedown victory for all Americans

For those of you saying that the bin Laden takedown was not an "Obama" win, you're right. It was an American win. However, former President Bush, former Vice President Cheney, senators Graham and DeMint and even Rush Limbaugh have all congratulated Obama. He should be credited for maintaining the policies that continued the search and giving the order that resulted in Sunday night's win for the American people.

A very good year!

A few weeks back, I heard two high school students talking about the upcoming prom and other end-of-the-year activities. It doesn't seem possible, but the year has flown by. In spite of all the challenges our community, state, and nation continue to face because of the economy, it's been a very good year in the Kershaw County School District! I thought I'd spend a little time this month touching on a few of the countless highlights of this year.

Reunion season

What is it about a high school reunion that makes people go crazy? To be fair, my own high school reunion isn't for another two years, so maybe the excitement will set in around early spring in 2013. But within the past several weeks, I've noticed that more than a few people are hitting the gym and mall in anticipation of "high school reunion season." I actually like the idea of ...

Trump's bullying pulpit

Donald Trump stepped out of the helicopter that had his name painted on the side, walked across the tarmac and announced to reporters that he was proud of himself. This would not be news on any day. But on this day, I would not have been surprised to see him start hugging and kissing himself.

Tips for life's journey

From the mailbag: • Reflections on life and growing older, from Regina Brett of the Cleveland Plain Dealer: 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 3. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 4. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 5. Make peace with your past so ...

Without wind, how can a sailboat reach shore?

In my April column, I touched on what it means to some to overcome incredible adversity and how these people make a commitment to survive in tough times; choosing to ride out the storm rather than sink. So recently, being drawn to titles like "Deep Survival," "Long Distance," "Will to Live" and "The Long Walk," I felt it appropriate to continue exploring this thought-provoking subject of survival; why some can endure hardships at an ...

Once we were sane

NEW YORK -- If you really, really dislike Barack Obama, his long-form birth certificate, finally proffered in exasperation, is quite simply a counterfeit.

Surprise, surprise

My cousin recently found out he is going to be a father for the first time. When he told his family about the upcoming blessed event, three of his five siblings asked him if this was planned. He is three weeks older than I am. I will be 47 in August. Nonetheless, I say, congratulations, Doc! You will undoubtedly be a great dad. Better late than never, right? I, on ...

Meet Me at the Green a great success

I couldn't stop grinning.

Pandering to the Obamaphobes

When I was a kid way back in the previous century, my favorite attraction at the local county fair was a midway amusement that everyone called "dunk the dimwit" -- or words to that effect.

A voice from above

"That man could crawl through a barrel of fish hooks and not get a scratch on him.'' Troy Stevenson, who retained the wisdom of his mountain upbringing, once used that expression concerning a man we were discussing. The late Highway Patrolman Randy Sanders once described an individual as: "One who could be used to open a bottle of wine."

Why it matters when politicians 'play politics'

In 2006, Barack Obama, then a member of the U.S. Senate, voted against raising the "debt ceiling" -- the maximum amount of outstanding federal debt the US government can incur by law.

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?