Archive By Section - Columns
Normal in an abnormal way
You know you're getting old when you start getting picked for health studies.
City budget process: look back, look ahead and plan
As Camden City Council moves past first reading of the 2011-2012 budget and on to second reading May 24th, it is important for our community to understand how we budget and where our priorities originate.
A time for optimism
It seems you can't open a newspaper or turn on the television these days without being clobbered with "bad news" -- news about tragic natural disasters, sky-rocketing gas prices, national unemployment rates that continue to climb, and political strife in Washington. It's an unfortunate fact that positive things are overlooked too often.
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.
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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