Archive By Section - Columnists
Target number one was even better
HOLLYWOOD God bless America, and how's everybody? President Obama announced that U.S. forces killed Osama bin Laden Sunday, then he gave himself credit for analyzing intelligence, organizing the mission and giving the kill order. The play didn't quite go as the president diagrammed. The intended target was Donald Trump. Obama ordered U.S. Navy Seals to chopper into Pakistan and kill bin Laden Sunday after discovering his hideout last fall. Why did he wait so long? ...
Sometimes you just need chicken soup
For awhile in 2005, I carried around a white, cotton handkerchief that was worn soft from use after my father, Dabney, died suddenly and quietly at the age of 81.
More than a chip off the old block
"I am blessed," said Great Bend artist Chet Cale earlier this week. He uttered these words with the utmost sincerity standing in the middle of his Stone Street Arts studio. As he spoke, a sun already defused by the clouds, flooded the room with a soft light. The larger-than-life-sized statue of micro chip innovator Jack Kilby and the statues of two children surrounded Cale, as did the eclectic collection of other sculptures, drawings, photographs, tools ...
President is running out of gas
Halfway through his term in office, President Barack Obama faces a crisis that could most probably doom his chances of being re-elected - he's running out of gas.
Take kids to school Thursday
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day ought to be expanded. One day every April - this year, it'll be on Thursday - parents bring their kids to workplaces to help them "envision their future and begin steps toward their end goals." It's a great program, but why limit it to kids 8 to 18? In these difficult economic times, we middle-aged people need dreams and aspirations, too. That's why, every year, I spend ...
No royal wedding invite for the Prez
HOLLYWOOD - God bless America, and how's everybody? Buckingham Palace published the Royal Wedding guest list on Friday and it does not include President Obama. Only crowned heads of state are invited. Obama's only credential would be that he once joined in a shoot-around with the Sacramento Kings. The King of Bahrain scored an invite to the Royal Wedding Friday despite his human rights record. All kings were invited. We haven't had a crowned head ...
Easter ideas go haywire
At Easter, I am more than a little dismayed by some of the mistaken notions circulating in the nation's Sunday schools.
Easter is an opportunity for change
There are certain times throughout the year that lend themselves to reflecting on what has been and creating a new plan for what will come next.
At least Ryan has a real plan
There is a struggle now being waged in Washington, the outcome of which will determine whether the nation's economy will grow or continue to falter.
Sometimes irony can be pretty ironic -- Brown
Oh, the irony of poetic justice. Every once in a while it happens. In the Bible story of Esther, Jew hater Haman was hung on the same gallows he'd originally set up to hang Queen Esther's Jewish uncle. In the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade movie, the Nazi double agent who claimed to "believe" in the grail, but secretly loved the swastika, fell to her death after greedily reaching for the grail. After November ...
Boehner blinked — Obama did not -- Friedeman
In the budget fight over last weekend, Democrats and Republicans showed that they were willing to compromise on spending.
Tax time is hard on everyone -- Purcell
Boy, are accountants going through a rough patch now - even rougher than we taxpayers are.
At least Taco Bell will be OK
HOLLYWOOD--God bless America, and how's everybody? U.S. Senator Harry Reid stood on the U.S. Senate floor Friday and warned of all the dire consequences a U.S. government shutdown would have on the nation. Younger people don't care at all. He said U.S. meat inspections could be delayed, so Taco Bell won't be affected. Senate Democrats blamed the massive federal budget deficits on Republican tax cuts Friday in TV interviews. They said the wealthy aren't paying ...
We need to get serious about the budget
If we really care about our children's future, now is the time for Americans on both sides of the aisle to cast aside their political aspirations long enough to carry on an adult conversation about debt reduction and spending cuts.
18-year-old is excited to vote
Recently, I celebrated my 18th birthday, which for most newly-turned 18-year-olds really means nothing practically other than, if they were so inclined, they can buy cigarettes now and, if they break the law, they'll be charged as an adult.
Articles by Section - Columnists
Man Bags for the Modern Male
Exclusive Excerpt from: "Comical Sense: A Lone Humorist Takes on a World Gone Nutty!" by Tom Purcell
Watch the High Stakes Political and Media Credibility Game
Forget the political "blame game." The biggest game in town now is the credibility game -- a high-stakes exercise that will end with America's political middle deciding who is trustworthy and who isn't. Some key players:
Can I take a deduction for that?
HOLLYWOOD - God bless America, and how's everybody?
Learning From the Rise and Fall of Michelle Rhee
At some point, we need to stop believing in miracles, at least in education. While we're still getting over the RICO indictments handed down in the Atlanta cheating scandal comes the revelation that the success Michelle Rhee achieved as the "no excuses" superintendent of Washington, D.C.'s public schools was the product of massive cheating. Those asking why Rhee isn't under indictment just like her former colleague in Atlanta are missing the bigger question: If she's ...
Benghazi Smoke Screen
Up until about an hour ago, most Americans thought Benghazi was the guy who palled around with John Cassavetes back in the '60s, but now it's obvious we're talking about the foreign policy arm of a multi-ramped tar pit the president has found himself swimming -- up to his armpits. Yes, friends, it's pity time at the White House.
Scandal Advice from the Master
Bill Clinton, wearing a white toga and a crown of gold, sat in a garden while attractive women fed him grapes. President Obama, having just suffered the most devastating week of his presidency, sat nearby, seeking advice in the art of telling whoppers. Using the Socratic method of teaching, Clinton began to tutor his new student.
Our zoo is famous and other local news
Tying up a few loose ends on stories that didn't make the front page:
IRS Scandal another Reason Why We Need the Fair Tax
"It will create a bureaucracy with the efficiency of the Post Office, the frugality of the Pentagon and the compassion of the IRS."– Mantra of those who opposed HillaryCare in the 1990s.
The Government Can’t Be Trusted With Our Health
"We have a large government," political consultant David Axelrod offered as a plea of ignorance to all of the scandals swirling around his boss. "Part of being president is there's so much beneath you that you can't know because the government is so vast." And yet, thanks to Axelrod and Obama, we now stand on the precipice of the largest expansion of government power in almost half a century: Obamacare, officially known as the Patient ...
Speech to the Best Graduating Class Ever
Students, faculty, family members and friends, it is my great honor to deliver your commencement speech today.
Gang of Eight: Never Have So Few Told So Many Lies
For three more weeks, the Senate Judiciary Committee will debate the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, S. 744. During the 45 years I've studied Washington politics, including 25 years of editorializing on the dreary subject, I can say without hesitation that no more anti-American legislation has ever been introduced.
The Second Term Curse Crashes Down on Barack Obama
You might say that May 10, 2013 was when the "second term curse" officially struck President Barack Obama -- and that May 13 was when it flattened him. Obama's administration has been hit with a triple whammy blast from a massive political stun gun.
It’s Harvest Time in Washington
Not even Barack Obama can defy the laws of physics.
The Batty Battalion
You do realize that Washington, D.C. is not the real world, don't you? It's a state of mind. An altered state of mind. Where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Slammed when you stand and rammed when you run. Berated if you lie and lambasted for the truth. Where even the slightest of breeze can carry the pollen of disaster. And the pack on top knows the best way to avoid ...
