Columns

Shop local to grow your economy

You can’t go online or watch TV without seeing ads about Black Friday sales, but I’m more excited by what comes next. The next day, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, is Small Business Saturday.

Beating the stuffing out of Thanksgiving

Editor Note: A prior version of this column was distributed by Cagle Cartoons in 2011. This year I can’t think of Thanksgiving without thinking of Barry Manilow’s melancholy song “Tryin’ To Get The Feeling Again.

Effective wit a dying art in politics

Among today’s most regrettable trends is the dying art of effective humor and satire in politics. During 1984’s second debate between President Reagan and Democratic nominee Walter Mondale, moderators rightfully asked Reagan, then 73, if he had enough stamina to carry out his duties.

​American politics – and tragedy

So what’s the final score? Who won the midterm elections on Tuesday night? The D team or the R team? Let’s see. The Democrats and the progressive left have got Nancy Pelosi back as Speaker of the House for two years. Maxine Waters is ready to rumble too. Whoopee.

John Glenn: Ted Williams batted 1.000 for America

This summer on a swing through Boston, I took the Fenway Park tour. Along the way, our guide pointed out the retired Red Sox numbers hanging over the grandstands: No. 1 Bobby Doerr, No. 6 Johnny Pesky, No.

Veterans Day: Is it enough?

Editor Note: A prior version of this column was distributed by Cagle Cartoons in 2011. “What have you done for us lately?

After Pittsburgh’s tragedy, start with Mister Rogers

Saturday morning is normally my favorite morning of the week. Usually, I sit in a festive coffee shop near downtown Pittsburgh, working on a novel, a love story, I’m eager to complete.

Is anyone interested in voting in Louisiana?

Remember the 1970 song by Chicago; “Does anybody know what time it is, does anybody really care?” Well it’s close to Election Day in Louisiana, and it would seem by early voting projections and general lack of interest that Louisianans are not holding their breath to cast their ballot.

Work requirements, welfare: Lessons of history

The value of studying history is so that future generations don’t make the same mistakes as our forefathers.

Space Force: Boon or boondoggle?

When I was a preschooler, one of my favorite Saturday morning TV programs was “Fireball XL5,” which followed the missions of spaceship Fireball XL5, commanded by Colonel Steve Zodiac of the World Space Patrol.