Friday, June 17, 2011

Roy Meachum

Little changed in Paris between the World Wars: when I first went there sidewalk cafes still adorned the Champs Elysees, as they had when composers Igor Stravinsky and George Gershwin waved from tables to their strolling friends.

How “Free” is Your State?

Joe Charlebois

For those who are of the opinion that the country has morphed into one big overpowering federal conglomerate, there is hope. There are still 50 different states with 50 different and distinct governments.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Miss Manners, I’m not, but….

Joan Marie Aquilino

My intent is not to call anyone in particular out but rather raise an awareness that I hope others will note and change. There has been a steady decline in the decorum being presented in our county meetings.

Election 2012 Must Do’s

Amanda Haddaway

The media has already started gearing up for Election 2012 and we’re still more than a year away from the actual vote. It seems that the hype around who’s running and who’s not starts being broadcast earlier and earlier each election season.

A Modest Amnesty Proposal

Blaine R. Young

Everywhere I go these days someone wants to talk about illegal immigration. It is definitely a hot button, and I am convinced it will be one of the top issues (after the economy) in the 2012 election campaign.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Bunker Hill: History and Myth

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Last week I picked-up a copy of “The Whites of Their Eyes,” by Dr. Paul Lockhart, a highly readable and entertaining socio-political – and military – study of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first American army, and the emergence of George Washington.

Box Seats & Hesitation Pitches

Norman M. Covert

I confess it has been a long hiatus from watching Frederick Keys baseball at Grove Stadium. All it takes, though, is the grandson’s cajoling to spring for box seat tickets – and a Keyote tee-shirt – near the visitor’s bullpen and third base.

Foul Odors and Sweet Sights

Tom McLaughlin

Mulu, Borneo – After a refreshing drink and rest at the jungle station, we walked a further kilometer to the first cave. Lang Cave, a small non-descript cavern which snaked back into the mountain.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Celebrity and Sex

Roy Meachum

The media flurry over New York Rep. Anthony Weiner barely ruffled a hair in my beard. The pregnancy of his high-profile wife might save his seat in Congress, at least at this writing. National commentaries exercise themselves violently over a victimless “crime.”

The Power of Power

Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh

Is there an epidemic of power addiction among the politically powerful? For many Americans the recent rash of political sex scandals leaves them – once again – baffled by the incredible foolishness of powerful men, asking “what were they thinking?” Throughout the media we hear and read differing opinions.

No Winners in This Battle

Farrell Keough

Recent events have been used to portray the county commissioners as not caring about seniors or small towns. Why should the truth get in the way of a good story?

Monday, June 13, 2011

Packing or Unpacking Politically?

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

So, the county commissioners want to examine privatizing services. Nothing new here, governments at all levels have looked to shift certain services from the public to the private sector for decades.

QE-2 Runs Out of Gas…

Steven R. Berryman

No, not the ocean going cruise liner, I’m talking about the bail out of Wall Street called “Quantitative Easing Part 2,” likely about to end.

On Wegmans

Michael Kurtianyk

So, have you been to Wegmans yet? If you haven’t, then you have missed quite a bit, actually.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Heat in My Childhood

Roy Meachum

Is there any other topic? Yesterday’s forecast promised a hundred degrees and with humidity to match. Knowing I was brought up in New Orleans, people sometimes ask, “Does this make you homesick?” The unequivocal answer? No, not hardly.

Disrespecting Special Olympians

Joe Charlebois

The Special Olympics, which was born in the backyard of Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s Maryland home, is a thriving success nearly 50 years after starting as a novel summer camp for those with intellectual disabilities.

*****