Archive By Section - Columns
A stutter unfit for a king
At last, somebody has made an epic, triumphant movie about a hero with which I am personally familiar: a recovering stutterer.
Touches of history and 'Heaven'
On a recent November morning after the General Election, I set out from my home in Columbia to go to my 64th high school reunion. All graduation classes from Midway High School have been meeting together annually for several years. This year the reunion was being held in a church at Shepard.
Uncle Sam will help you buy an alpaca
I often bash government. I say it can't do anything better than people in a free market.
Cash life experiences into maturity
Apparently, there is not much of a correlation between a person's age and level of maturity.
Tips, tricks and news
As 2010 turns to dust, a smattering of things I found in my mailbox: • Simple home remedies from my friend Waylon Fortenberry of Chesterfield County: 1. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold the vegetables while you chop. 2. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you'll be afraid to cough. 3. If you can't fix it with ...
Barbour apologizes, but does he mean it?
Today's lesson in revisionist American history is brought to you by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.
Some facets of my 2010
2010 was a grand year in my eyes. Another one down, and with it, the knowledge and wisdom 365 days brings. Over the past year, in my sphere, there were certain news, entertainment and sports items I simply couldn't elude --
For Biden, mission accomplished
WASHINGTON -- The vice president calls, more than an hour after the appointed time but with an impeccable excuse: He was presiding over the Senate's vote to ratify the New START treaty.
Rho Chi Kobraz my Group of the Year
Kaptin, Siren, Kare Bear, Venom and Professor. They sound like superhero names. And they are certainly heroes in my book.
'Alcopops' a high-risk potion
As we continue to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year this weekend, it is important to be sensible about our merry-making. In addition to the well-known dangers, there is a new one -- alcoholic energy drinks, otherwise known as "alcopops." These drinks have recently gained national attention after a rash of student hospitalizations in other states.
The public sector and my grandchildren
Jack is 6 1/2, and Frances Anne just turned 4. I will not burden you with tiresome anecdotes about how funny, quick and special they are. Just take my word for it: They are.
Dear Mr. Mulvaney...
Dec. 24, 2010 Congressman-elect Mick Mulvaney U. S. Capitol Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Mulvaney: Congratulations on your recent election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Unseating 14-term incumbent Rep. John Spratt was no mean feat, and you undoubtedly realize voters have sent you to Washington because they don't like what's happening there. They're ready for a change. In the days following the race, both Republican ...
Boehner's curious tears
History may well remember this political year for feminine jeers and manly tears.
Shopping tips for the men
It's that time of the year again. Dec. 24 -- the day when women are finally able to sit down with eggnog and a good book, and marvel at the pile of Christmas gifts they've placed under the tree. It's the day when kids begin their 24-hour stalk around the Christmas tree in anticipation of opening their gifts the next day. And the men? It's the day when husbands and ...
Embrace in-laws as your family
In the movies, in-laws are bad news. There's the mother-in-law, a nagging, screeching creature from Hell. There's the father-in-law, a glaring, disapproving statue. There's the brother-in-law, who is a showoff or a drunk. And the sister-in-law, who thinks you're a bum. You would never get involved with these people if not for your spouse, who, in the movies, starts looking a little funny, too. But that's the movies. I ...
Articles by Section - Columns
New York, New York!
I'm planning my first trip to New York in June and I am so excited!
On press freedoms, Obama races Nixon to bottom
Despite what you may hear from some of his more fevered critics, President Barack Obama's recent scandal-quakes don't appear to fall anywhere near the level of Richard Nixon's Watergate disaster. But by another Nixonian yardstick, trying to put a muzzle on press freedoms, Team Obama appears to have surged into the lead.
Moment of Nature - May 24, 2013
In countries around the world, the oak tree is the symbol of strength, fortitude and endurance. In the U.S., the oak was designated in 2004 as our national tree. Despite this status as a stalwart of the forest and city alike, oaks in our native and urban ecosystems face tremendous challenges from diseases, insect pests and human-caused disorders.
Life and death with the eagles
Last year about this time, I talked with you about how technology is bringing the magic of nature -- specifically, the majesty of American's symbol, the bald eagle – into our living rooms.
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.
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