The Republicans are mad at the Democrats. The Democrats are mad right back. The liberals are mad at the conservatives and vice versa. The Tea Party is mad at everybody, even themselves. We’re all mad at Wall Street and they’re mad at the Federal Reserve. Everyone is mad at Congress. Much of the public is [...]
“And that’s the way it is.” When he signed off the nightly news with those words, we all went to bed believing that was true; good or bad, we had the feeling that he had given us the headlines in a balanced way. Now one has to weigh carefully what is said. Has it been [...]
On August 2, forty-two young women and men will set about of the next leg of that journey. It’s the inaugural day of The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Years ago, the late and beloved Roanoke dermatologist, Dr. James Lampros, commented to me that one day Roanoke would have a medical school. I made [...]
One of the best parts of being a columnist is the feedback that finds its way to me. Frequently, I will hear from someone who has read a column and has something to say about it. A recent entry, “Fathers: Looking Back . . . Looking Forward,” brought one of the more remarkable comments. More [...]
I remember the TV newsman, David Brinkley, once commented on the qualifications of a particular political candidate: “He says he’s a tax payer and a father, neither of which requires any talent.” He was right about the first part but wrong about the second. This past week, millions paid their quarterly tax estimate. The only [...]
You remember the tag line from the old movie “Jaws?” Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water . . . then the ominous music that reminds us that it was never totally safe to go in the water. Things happen and sometimes, they are really bad. Most of the time, [...]
There is probably no month that engenders more non-political speechifying than May. Commencements are all over the place. Even graduation from pre-K now merits a cap and gown, but one would hope that ice cream has held sway over exhortations to step up to the first grade with a “new sense of purpose and dedication.” [...]
One of the oddities of history seems to be that each generation thinks current political events are new under the sun; nothing like the current firestorm has ever before occurred. George Santayana’s prophesy seems to be an unending truth: Having not learned the lessons of the past, we continue to make the same mistakes. While [...]
Everyone has known the feeling of fright but few of us have ever known true terror. The differences between the two are vast. When the doctor takes you into the consultation room to discuss the biopsy result, there is a feeling of fear. When he sits down beside you, hand on your shoulder and says, [...]
It’s sometimes daunting how much times have changed. As the change occurs, it seems scarcely noticeable at first–then it becomes so monumental it affects everyday life. Recent events in the world of immigration politics have brought this into sharp focus. In Arizona the idea of official documentation has led to a firestorm of criticism. [...]
