Archive By Section - Columns
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.
Articles by Section - Columns
Don’t shoot the messenger
I've always heard the phrase "don't shoot the messenger" throughout my life. I somewhat understood what it meant -- don't take your anger out on someone who is simply relaying unwanted information. It wasn't until I started my career as a reporter that I developed a deeper and more meaningful relationship with this quote. Being a journalist means that not only do I get to be the bearer of ...
Googling ourselves to death
WASHINGTON -- At a party a few years ago, a young reporter bounded over to my cluster of social nodders and, with the breathlessness of a born tweeter, chirped: "What's the new hot thing?!"
Statehouse ethics: just tell the truth
When I was a young boy growing up and my mother confronted me with something that I knew I had done wrong, I often stammered around, making excuses and trying to avoid fessing up. My mom's response was always the same: "Let's begin by just telling the truth."
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.
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