Columns

What can we do about the post office?

The future of the United States Postal Service isn’t really in President Donald Trump’s hands, despite what his critics are saying. The service is hemorrhaging money. The COVID crisis has imposed demands on it that may be unprecedented.

Can we discontinue the ‘World’s Greatest Dad’ scam?

Speaking as a father (“What — am I made of money? Go ask your mother! When you have your own roof, you can make your own rules! No, my abs aren’t flabby, they’re just meditating…”) No, this could go on forever. Start over.

Why I’m a proud member of Antifa

I have come to the realization that I am a member of Antifa. This surprises me, since I’ve often been a huge critic of the mobs that rage in the streets and cause immense physical and emotional damage.

‘30 Days a Black Man’ offers insights into challenges

Police were called about John Mahone, a black man, having an argument with his wife. A cop shot and killed him because he thought Mahone had a knife. Mahone had a can opener. An officer searching for illegal whiskey saw another black man, Harris Miller, run.

A new morning in news

The New York Times made a quiet disclosure recently that speaks loudly about the state of news media today. Its newsletter, “The Morning,” has reached over 17 million circulation, which the paper says is one the largest daily audiences in any form of journalism across all platforms.

Are you tired of the ‘new normal’?

I don’t know about you, but the next time I hear someone refer to the “new normal,” I think I might scream into my middle daughter’s unacceptable new bikini bottoms that I plan to confiscate and turn into a coronavirus face mask.

One disruptive hand ruins work made light by many

It was a perfect late-spring Saturday. Several members of my large extended family gathered at my parents’ house to trim hedges and plant flowers. The sun was out, the skies were brilliant blue and the temperature was perfect for yardwork.

If only we would tame our tongues

I stopped long ago reading comments under news articles and opinion pieces. Not because I don’t believe readers should have the opportunity to comment, but mostly because nothing about what is posted is helpful or constructive. In fact, much of it is nasty and vile.

Which songs make you cry?

“Late at night when it’s hard to rest/I hold your picture to my chest/ and I feel fine, I feel fine/But it’s a rainy night in Georgia…” – written by Tony Joe White and performed by Brook Benton. I need your input. I know this is a terribly personal question, but which songs make you cry? And why?

When memories are what matters most

A million years ago, we were worried about who was going to win the Iowa Caucuses, and then Super Tuesday, and then when Bernie Sanders was finally going to pack it in. Now, despite what the most die-hard political operatives might believe, we really don’t give a flying fig.