Opinion

Here’s my question to you in this week’scolumn. Do you feel lucky? Not the luck youwould want if you were confronted by DirtyHarry. Remember Clint Eastwood’s words:“You’ve got to ask yourself one question:“Do I feel lucky? Well do youpunk?’ ” No I mean positive “feelgood luck” of decent things happeningto you.I’m more of a live and let live kindof guy. …

It’s hard to believe that the financial capital of theworld, the pinnacle of free trade, ground zero forthe birth of a nation has thrown off the principles thatmade it great and has embraced a form of governmentthat will ultimately destroy it. New York has voted ina socialist form of government that is anythingbut good for a vibrant vivacious hub ofAmericanism. …

Halloween and October may be over, butI’m still haunted – not by ghosts, but by theprice of candy these days. When a bag offun-size chocolates costs nearly as much asa full tank of gas, it’s enough to makeeven a sweet tooth think twice. (OK,I admit: That’s hyperbole, but not bymuch.)So that got me pondering whatI like to call “creative economies”– …

My first hint that I wanted to becomea writer began in high school. Sort oflike that first yellow bloom on a tomatoplant, my English teacher, my aunt LillianMontgomery picked up onsomething like that tiny bloomthat gave her a hint that her gangly,awkward nephew might possiblyhave an inborne ability tostring words together in a meaningfulway.I resented Aunt Lillian at firstbecause she …

My first hint that I wanted to becomea writer began in high school. Sort oflike that first yellow bloom on a tomatoplant, my English teacher, my aunt LillianMontgomery picked up onsomething like that tiny bloomthat gave her a hint that her gangly,awkward nephew might possiblyhave an inborne ability tostring words together in a meaningfulway.I resented Aunt Lillian at firstbecause she …

America has been going to war for 250years. When Johnny marches off at the pleaof a needy nation he is accorded all the accoladesdeserved of a volunteer going to war.With only one exception, that sameveteran is welcomed home with allthe gratitude a nation can heap onthe men and women that gave up aslice of their lives so that freedomcan remain …

I’m getting deluged with calls, texts andemails. What the heck is going on with mytwo favorite teams in college football? Ofcourse they’re talking about the deluge ofcriticism taking place at LSU and theUniversity of North Carolina. I havefollowed both of these college teamsfor years, but cannot remember somuch well-earned criticism.First come the Tar Heels. I love myalma mater at Chapel …

Giving and volunteering are more thanacts of kindness—they are expressions of humanity that bridge divides, foster empa-thy, and cultivate a sense of shared purpose. In a world often driven by individ-ual pursuits and material gain, the art of giving reminds us of our in-terconnectedness. Volunteering, in particular, transforms passive good-will into active engagement, allow-ing individuals to contribute their time, skills, …

Some months practically hand you atheme. In June, I wrote about “Juggling inJune” – the way we try to keep all the ballsof summer life in the air: family, gardens,vacations, deadlines.Then the calendar spun on, and now here we are in October – cur-rently up on my list of “Things to Think About in Different Months”(And, yes, I still have …

This article ran ten years ago. So much haschanged and so much remains the same.“Three weeks ago Israel’s Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu was in a political battle tomaintain his seat as the leader of the sovereignJewish country of Israel. It is no secretthat Netanyahu and President BarakObama are not the best of friends andunfortunately this is affecting the relationshipsbetween the two …